If there’s one thing we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that we rely on technology. Whether it’s the exciting advances in vaccine modelling or the boom in online conferencing, technology has been there to support us.
Yet 2021 has started in much the same way that 2020 left off. Parts of Europe are still in lockdown and many businesses have had to close their doors. 81.2% of businesses related to accommodation or food had closed by April 2020. Some will never reopen.
So what can technology offer us this year? What can we expect? Let’s explore seven technology trends we’re likely to see in 2021.
1) AI
One of AI’s big advantages has always been its speed. It can process data in ways that humans can’t. AI can also handle tasks with increasing complexity and sophistication now. AI makes data analysis a perfect area to benefit from automation. Data scientists will be able to run protocols to both collect and clean data before they examine it. This frees up their time to use their expertise where it’s really needed.
This also means we can speed up both data analytics and reporting. Businesses will be able to spot changing conditions earlier, allowing them to react faster. As an example, businesses will use AI to help with workforce planning. Businesses can better project demand, meaning they can focus on their supply chain. They’ll be better placed to cover slow periods or meet demand in busy periods.
That said, Google’s AI division has a lot of work to do. AI computer scientist Timnit Gebru found a problem with AI language models. They often include bias against ethnic minorities and women. After co-authoring a paper on the subject, Google fired her. We need to fully examine AI for its intrinsic biases before we can embrace it.
2) Cloud computing
Working in the cloud is not a new concept but combined with 5G and remote working, it makes life a lot easier. Research suggests that 60% of companies will use public cloud platforms by the end of 2021.
Off-site data centres give businesses access to better computing power and more storage. It also lets them hand off IT responsibilities to managed services. This makes problems easier to spot since systems are constantly maintained.
As with the other technology trends, cloud computing offers a double-edged sword. It provides better accessibility to high-end server technology and cheaper operating costs. Yet it also has the potential to create more security issues. Data is more easily accessible and every access point by employees creates a weak spot.
3) Online conferencing
Platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger had already offered video messaging. Yet 2020 was the year of the video call. People took to online video conferencing in droves. They connected with family and co-workers throughout the day.
Founded in 2011, Zoom saw daily meeting numbers top 300 million in April 2020. Microsoft Teams offered a wider experience for workers. It combines the functions of Zoom with chat features and ‘channels’ like Slack.
These platforms have enabled people to work from home and students to learn online. Even when workplaces try to return to normal, it’s likely that online conferencing won’t go anywhere. It can’t quite replicate the experience of bouncing ideas around over lunch with a co-worker. Yet platforms like Teams make it easier to collaborate with others and keep track of your tasks.
4) Blockchain
I talked about blockchain being touted as the Next Big Thing back in February 2019. So far, it is yet to make a splash in the world at large beyond Bitcoin. That could be about to change, with Google Cloud becoming a network block producer.
The idea behind blockchain is certainly an attractive one. It relies on decentralisation of data so that it’s stored throughout a connected network. The network records every transaction. It distributes this record to each person connected to that network. This adds transparency and accountability to each transaction.
Blockchain networks would let you remove third parties, like banks, from important transactions. It helps to secure supply chains by keeping the ledger intact, and in chronological order. It’s not impossible to hack, but it would need a huge amount of resources to do so.
That said, blockchain is a decentralised technology. That means it does need regulations to police those people using it. This curtails some of its effectiveness, but without regulation, it could become a new Wild West frontier online.
5) Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is another area that has been under discussion for some time. I talked about its impact on cybersecurity in August 2018.
In short, quantum computing lets us model simulations much faster than traditional computers. This is a huge advance in fields like pharmaceuticals, which need to simulate new drugs.
That said, it could cause problems with cybersecurity. More powerful processing means much more robust cryptography. That means you can crack encryption faster than traditional computers.
6) Internet of Things (IoT)
Like blockchain, the IoT has been on plenty of Next Big Tech Thing for a few years. The popularity of smart speakers, such as the Amazon Echo, seemed to herald a new dawn for the IoT. In principle, it’s certainly an exciting idea.
Yet it doesn’t seem to have played out the way pundits predicted.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. IoT devices are notorious for their rudimentary security. That means greater uptake would see more insecure devices connected to the internet. This would lead to more security breaches, with more devices recruited to botnets. More botnets mean more DDoS attacks, especially when combined with 5G use.
For the IoT to truly take off, it needs better security protocols. Standardisation would help, and more focus on device security
7) 5G
Never mind the conspiracy theories—5G looks capable of disrupting how we work in 2021. It offers much faster internet access from a wider range of locations. With more people working remotely, this has impacted domestic internet speeds. The United Kingdom experienced a 30.3% decrease in download speed at the start of lockdown in March 2020.
5G makes us less reliant on broadband, and we can work anywhere there’s a 5G signal. This will help rural communities who struggle to access reliable high-speed internet connections.
On the downside, 5G does create more available bandwidth. Combining this with the growing numbers of IoT devices, this could make Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks more common.
Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash
What do you think will be the tech trends to watch in 2021?