Today, technology is progressing rapidly, allowing for quicker change and development, causing growth to increase until it eventually becomes exponential. However, technology trends and leading technologies are changing; much more has changed this year because of the outbreak of COVID-19, making IT specialists realize that tomorrow their position in the contactless world will not remain the same. And an IT specialist will be studying, unlearning, and relearning (out of obligation if not desire) continuously in 2020-21.
What is this going to mean to you? It means keeping updated with new developments in technology. And it implies keeping your eyes on the future to realize what skills you’re going to need to know tomorrow to find a safe job and even learn how to get there. But, unfortunately, much of the global IT population is sitting back, operating from home, all bowing to the worldwide epidemic. And if you want to make the most of your time at home, here are the top 10 latest technology trends that you can look at and try in 2021 and hopefully secure one of the jobs that these latest technology trends will create.
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. For example, in image and speech recognition, navigation applications, mobile personal assistants, ride-sharing applications, and so much more, AI is already recognized for its dominance.
Other than that, AI would further be used to analyze interactions to identify underlying links and insights, to help forecast demand for services such as hospitals that enable authorities to make improved resource use decisions, and to identify evolving trends of consumer behaviour by analyzing near-real-time data, driving more revenue, and improving 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. New jobs in development, programming, testing, support, and maintenance, to name a few, will be generated with AI spreading its wings across 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!
The AI subset of Machine Learning is now applied in all sectors, generating massive demand for trained professionals. Forrester estimates that by 2025, 9% of new U.S. jobs will be generated by AI, machine learning, and automation, including robot monitoring experts, data scientists, automation professionals, and content editors, making it another new technology trend that you still need to realize!
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, and major brands such as Splunk, Microsoft, Google, Honeywell, AWS, and many others are now interested in Quantum Computing innovation. By 2029, sales for the global market for quantum computing are expected to reach $2.5 billion. 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 refers to the user experience as their environment is improved by AR. Although this trend in technology has so far been mostly used for gaming, it has also been used for training, as with VirtualShip, a simulation software used to train U.S. 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. Either could be used to prepare doctors for surgery, have a more in-depth experience for museum-goers, improve theme parks, or even improve advertisement, as with this Pepsi Max bus shelter.
In 2019, there were 14 million AR and VR devices shipped. It is predicted that the market AR and VR market will rise to $209.2 billion by 2022, only generating more trending technology opportunities and welcoming more professionals ready for this game-changing sector.
Although some companies can look for optics as a skill set, remember that getting started in VR does not require a lot of advanced expertise – simple programming skills and a forward-thinking mentality will land a job; another reason your list of lookouts should be updated with this new 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. Blockchain can be defined in the simplest way possible 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 and want to make this technology trend your career, this will be the right time to start. 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. Several “things” are now being constructed with WiFi connectivity, meaning they can be linked to the Internet and each other—the Internet of Things, then or 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 data is collected and analyzed, the IoT will allow better security, productivity, and business decision-making. It will allow for condition monitoring, speed up medical treatment, enhance customer service, and provide advantages that we have not imagined yet.
But we are still in the initial stages of this emerging technology trend: forecasts indicate that about 50 billion of these IoT devices will be used worldwide by 2030, creating a vast network of interconnected devices ranging 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.
And you will have to learn about data security, AI and machine learning basics, networking, hardware interfacing, data analytics, automation, understanding of embedded systems, and need to know devices and architecture if you want to step foot in this technology trend.
8. 5G Mobile Technology
The next development in technology that follows the IoT is 5G. Where 3G and 4G technologies have allowed us to access the internet, use data-driven services, increase streaming bandwidths on Spotify or YouTube, and so much more, it is expected that 5G technology will revolutionize our lives. Along with cloud-based gaming services such as Google Stadia, NVidia GeForce Now, and much more, by allowing services that rely on advanced technologies such as AR and VR. In addition, HD cameras, which help improve safety and traffic management, smart grid control, and intelligent retail, are expected to be used in factories.
Like every telecommunications company, such as Verizon, Tmobile, Apple, Nokia Corp, Qualcomm, is currently working on 5G applications. With more than 50 operators providing services in around 30 countries by the end of 2021, 5G services are expected to be introduced internationally in 2021, making it a new technology trend that you have to look out for and save a spot.
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. The malevolent hackers who want to access information illegally will not give up any time soon, and they will continue to find ways to get past even the most stringent security measures. In part, it’s also because modern technology is being adapted to increase protection. Cybersecurity will remain a trending technology as long as we have hackers, so it will continuously develop to protect against those hackers.
Cybersecurity employees are rising three times faster than other tech jobs, as evidence of cybersecurity professionals’ vital need. Also, the need for proper cyber protection is so strong that $6 trillion will be spent on cybersecurity globally by 2021.
It would help if you remembered that it also provides lucrative six-figure incomes, however challenging the field and roles may vary from the ethical hacker to security engineer and Chief Security Officer, providing a booming career choice for anyone who wants to get into and stay with this evergreen technology trend.
10 DevOps
‘DevOps‘ is a word for the development of enterprise software, which has evolved from the terms’ development ‘and’ Operations ‘of the life cycle of software development (SDLC) and is part of cloud technology. DevOps promotes teamwork, coordination, automation, and integration between the IT operations team and the developers, as the name implies, to enhance software delivery quality and speed. Thus, it is known as the descendant of the evolutionary system of 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.