Today, technology is progressing rapidly, allowing for quicker change and development, causing growth to increase until it eventually becomes exponential.
Technology trends are constantly evolving. This year, COVID-19 has caused significant changes. IT specialists now realize their roles in a contactless world will change. They will need to study, unlearn, and relearn. Whether by obligation or desire, this will be necessary throughout 2020-21.
What does this mean for you? It means you must stay updated with new technology developments. You should focus on the future and learn the skills you will need. Many IT professionals are working from home during the pandemic. However, if you want to make the most of your time, here are the top 10 technology trends to explore in 2021. These trends will help you secure a job in the evolving tech landscape.
Top 10 Latest Technology Trends for 2021
1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence has already gained several hypes in the last decade. Still, because of its notable impact on how we live, work, and play, it appears to be one of the latest technology developments in the early stages. AI already dominates areas like image and speech recognition, navigation apps, mobile personal assistants, and ride-sharing apps. Its influence is widespread across various industries.
AI will also be used to analyze interactions and identify hidden links and insights. It can forecast demand for services like hospitals, helping authorities make better resource allocation decisions. Additionally, AI will analyze near-real-time data to identify evolving consumer trends. This drives more revenue and enhances personalized experiences.
By 2025, the AI market will expand to a $190 billion sector, with global spending reaching over $57 billion in 2021 on cognitive and AI systems. AI will create new jobs in development, programming, testing, support, and maintenance. These roles will emerge as AI spreads across various sectors. On the other hand, artificial intelligence also provides some of the highest wages today, increasing from over $1.25,000 per year (machine learning engineer) to $145,000 per year (AI engineer) – making it the top emerging technology trend you need to look out for!
All sectors now apply the AI subset of Machine Learning, generating massive demand for trained professionals. Forrester estimates that by 2025, AI, machine learning, and automation will generate 9% of new U.S. jobs, including robot monitoring experts, data scientists, automation professionals, and content editors, making it another new technology trend you need to recognize!
2. Robotic Process Automation
Another technology that automates work is Robotic Process Automation, or RPA, including Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. RPA is computer software to simplify business processes such as application analysis, payment services, data handling, and even email replying. RPA simplifies routine tasks that people had been doing.
While Forrester Research estimates RPA automation to threaten the livelihoods of 230 million or more information employees or about 9% of the global workforce, RPA is also creating new jobs while changing existing jobs. McKinsey finds that it is possible to fully automate fewer than 5% of employment, but about 60% can be partially automated.
RPA provides many job prospects for you as an IT specialist looking into the future and understanding the latest technology trends, including developer, project manager, market analyst, solution architect, and consultant. And these workplaces pay well. For example, an RPA developer will earn over $8000 per year – making it the next technology trend you need to keep an eye on!
3. Edge Computing – Latest Technology Trends
Cloud computing has become commonplace, with significant players AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform leading the market, previously a new technology trend to watch. As many companies move to a cloud solution, cloud computing’s acceptance is still growing. But it’s no longer an emerging trend in technology. There’s the Edge.
As the amount of data organizations dealing with continues to grow, they have recognized the shortcomings of cloud computing in some cases. Edge computing is intended to help overcome some of these issues to circumvent the delay caused by cloud computing and migrate data for processing to a data Centre. If you will, it can live on the edge,” closer to where computation needs to happen. For this purpose, edge computing may be used in remote areas with minimal access to a centralized location to process time-sensitive data. Edge computing will behave like mini datacenters in those cases.
If the usage of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices grows, Edge computing will increase. The global demand for edge computing is projected to hit $6.72 billion by 2022. And this latest technology trend is only meant to expand, creating different jobs, mostly for software developers, and nothing less.
4. Quantum Computing – Latest Technology Trends
Quantum computing, a computation method that takes full advantage of quantum phenomena such as amplitude and quantum entanglement, is the next notable technology trend. Thanks to its ability to quickly query, track, analyze, and act on data, regardless of the source, this incredible technology trend is also involved in limiting the coronavirus’s transmission and developing effective vaccines. Another area in which quantum computing finds applications is banking and finance, high-frequency trading, credit risk management, and fraud prevention.
Quantum computers are now much faster than conventional computers. Major brands like Splunk, Microsoft, Google, Honeywell, AWS, and many others are driving innovation in Quantum Computing. By 2029, experts expect the global quantum computing market to generate $2.5 billion in sales. And it would help if you had expertise with quantum mechanics, algorithm design, probability, information theory, and machine learning to make a mark in this new technology trend.
5. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Extended Reality (ER) is the next latest technology trends. VR improves the user experience by enhancing their environment with AR. Although the tech industry has mostly used this trend for gaming, it has also applied it to training, as with VirtualShip, a simulation software that trains U.S. personnel. Navy personnel. Ship captains in the Navy, Army, and Coast Guard.
We expect these types of technology to be more incorporated into our lives in 2021. AR and VR have tremendous potential in training, entertainment, education, marketing, and even recovery after an injury, typically working in tandem with some of the other emerging technologies we’ve listed in this list. You can use either to prepare doctors for surgery, provide a more in-depth experience for museum-goers, improve theme parks, or even enhance advertisements, like with the Pepsi Max bus shelter.
In 2019, there were 14 million AR and VR devices shipped. The AR and VR market is predicted to reach $209.2 billion by 2022. This growth will create more opportunities in trending technology sectors. It will also attract more professionals eager to enter this game-changing field.
While some companies may seek optics skills, you don’t need advanced expertise to get started in VR. Basic programming skills and a forward-thinking mentality are enough to land a job. This is another reason to update your list with this emerging technology trend.
6. Blockchain – Latest Technology Trends
While concerning cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, most people think of blockchain technology. Blockchain provides protection that is useful in several other ways. You can define blockchain in the simplest way as data that you can only add to, not remove or modify. Therefore, because you are making a data set, the word “chain.” What makes it so safe is not being able to alter the previous blocks. In reality, blockchains are consensus-driven, so no one organization can take ownership of the details. With blockchain, you don’t need to supervise or verify transactions by a trusted third party.
Several sectors involve and incorporate Blockchain, and the demand for trained practitioners also rises as blockchain technology increases. A blockchain expert specializes in creating and implementing architecture and solutions using blockchain technology from a bird’s eye viewpoint. A blockchain developer’s average annual salary is $6,345.
If you are fascinated by Blockchain and its applications, now is the right time to start. This is the perfect opportunity to make this technology trend your career. It would help if you had hands-on expertise with programming languages, OOPS basics, flat and hierarchical databases, data structures, creation of mobile applications, and networking to get into Blockchain.
7. Internet of Things (IoT)
The “Internet of Things” is another promising new technology trend. People are now constructing several “things” with WiFi connectivity, allowing them to link to the Internet and each other—this is the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is the future and has already made it possible to communicate and share data over the Internet with smartphones, home appliances, cars, and much more.
As users, we already use IoT and learn from it. For example, when we leave for work and preheat our ovens on our way home from work, all while checking our health on our Fitbits, we can lock our doors remotely if we forget to. However, now and in the immediate future, corporations still have plenty to gain. As devices collect and analyze data, the IoT will enhance security, boost productivity, and improve business decision-making.
- Condition monitoring will become more efficient with this technology.
- Medical treatments will be accelerated, improving outcomes for patients.
- Customer service will reach new heights, offering quicker and more effective support.
- This technology will unlock unimaginable advantages that will shape the future.
However, we are still in the early stages of this emerging technology. Forecasts predict that around 50 billion IoT devices will be in use worldwide by 2030. This will create a vast network of interconnected devices, from mobile phones to household items.
In 2022, the global Internet of Things (IoT) investment is expected to hit 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars. Moreover, emerging innovations such as 5G will likely drive market growth in the coming years.
You will need to learn about data security, AI, and machine learning basics. You must also understand networking, hardware interfacing, data analytics, automation, embedded systems, and devices and architecture to enter this technology trend.
8. 5G Mobile Technology
5G is the next big development in technology after IoT. 3G and 4G allowed us to access the internet, use data services, and stream content on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. 5G technology is expected to revolutionize our lives.
With 5G, cloud-based gaming services like Google Stadia and NVIDIA GeForce Now will thrive. This technology will also support advanced services that rely on AR and VR. 5G will improve safety with HD cameras. These cameras will enhance traffic management and smart grid control. Additionally, 5G will help intelligent retail and be used in factories.
Like every telecommunications company, such as Verizon, T-mobile, Apple, Nokia Corp, Qualcomm, is currently working on 5G applications. By the end of 2021, over 50 operators will provide services in around 30 countries. Operators will launch 5G services internationally, making it a new technology trend to watch and prepare for.
9. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity, given that it has stayed around for a while, may not seem like emerging technology, but it is developing just as other technologies are. In part, it is because risks are continually fresh. Malevolent hackers who aim to access information illegally will not give up anytime soon. They will keep finding ways to bypass even the strictest security measures. This persistence is partly due to the constant advancements in modern technology designed to increase protection.
The Growing Need for Cybersecurity Professionals
Cybersecurity will remain a trending technology as long as hackers exist. As a result, cybersecurity will continue to evolve to combat these threats. The demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing at three times the rate of other tech jobs. The need for cybersecurity is critical. Global spending on cybersecurity is expected to reach $6 trillion by 2021.
Information Security Career Opportunities
Remember, the field of information security offers lucrative six-figure incomes. The roles can vary, from ethical hackers to security engineers and Chief Security Officers. This provides a booming career choice for anyone interested in joining this evergreen technology trend.
DevOps in Software Development
‘DevOps‘ refers to the development of enterprise software. It combines the terms ‘development’ and ‘operations’ within the software development lifecycle (SDLC). DevOps is also part of cloud technology. It focuses on promoting teamwork, coordination, automation, and integration between IT operations and developers. This approach enhances the quality and speed of software delivery. In many ways, it is seen as the next evolution in software development.
This new technology trend has several benefits like:
- Reliability
- Fast delivery
- Security
- Scaling power
- Rapid development
The average salary of a DevOps Engineer in the United States is around US$99,604K per year, according to Glassdoor.
Winding it up
The top 10 latest technology trends give us the brightest and highest-paid career of all the new technologies around us. They are the future of the world of technology, and they can influence work patterns across the globe.
By picking either one or all of them, get your hands dirty, and have a bright future ahead.
