Technology trends are always trending every day. It is evolving at such a fast pace that even annual predictions of trends may end up seeming outdated before even going live as a published article or blog post. Fast-Evolving technology enables even faster progress and change. However, technology-based career doesn’t change at the same speed, but they evolve. In the 21st-century, technology careers will demand constant learning out of necessity if not desire.
This means you have to stay in the know with current technology trends. Technically, you will be keeping your eyes on the future so that you can know which skills to acquire and the type of jobs you will be qualified to do. Here are the top 8 technological trends in 2019.
Technology Trends 1: Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence has gained worldwide recognition and it continues to be a trend. This is because of its influence on how we play, work and live are only in the starting stages. Other branches of AI has also developed one of which include Machine learning. Artificial Intelligence is simply computer systems built to mimic human intelligence. It can also perform tasks such as speech or patterns, decision-making, and recognition of images. More than half the population of the technological-induced world use AI services every day in one form or the other. Some of these services include streaming, navigation apps, ride-sharing apps, smartphone personal assistants, smart home devices amongst others.
Artificial Intelligence is a part of what is referred to broadly as automation. This is currently a hot topic because of the potential loss of jobs. An estimate of 73 million jobs will be lost by 2030. That’s not all bad news. This is because just as automation is eliminating jobs, it is creating new ones. An estimate of jobs created by AI will number 23 million by 2020. Jobs will be created in several fields including development, programming, maintenance, support, and testing. Also, a recent one will be Artificial Intelligence architect. It is believed that this job will soon rival data scientist.
Technology Trends 2: Blockchain
A lot of people tend to think of blockchain technology in relation to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. However, blockchain offers security that is very useful in a lot of other ways. Blockchain is simply the data you can add to, not change or take away from. Thus the term ”chain” simply because you’re making a chain of data. The fact that you cannot change the previous blocks is what makes it very secure. Additionally, blockchains are consensus-driven. This means that no one entity can take control of the data. You don’t need a third-party (trusted or not) to validate or oversee transactions.
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The heightened security is why blockchain is used for cryptocurrency and why it can play an important role in safeguarding information such as personal medical data. Blockchain can easily be used to improve the global supply chain faster as well as protect assets like real estate and art.
As the use of blockchain technology increases, so does the demand for skilled professionals. According to recent reports, blockchain-related jobs are the second-fastest growing category of jobs; having over 12 job openings for every one blockchain developer. A blockchain developer specializes in developing and executing architecture and solutions using the blockchain technology.
A blockchain developer’s yearly salary is $130,000 on the average. However, a blockchain developer’s job is not the only one available in the blockchain space. Employers are also looking for consultants, software engineers, and project managers. Jobs are also available at financial institutions, retail and healthcare, and soon enough, manufacturing.
Technology Trends 3: Machine Learning
This is a subset of AI. Computers are programmed to learn to do something they weren’t programmed to do before. Technically, they learn by discovering patterns and insights from data. Machine learning is increasingly being adopted in all kinds of industries; creating a large demand for skilled professionals. The Machine Learning market is estimated to grow to $8.81 billion by 2022. Machine Learning applications are used for pattern recognition, data analytics, and data mining. On the consumer end, it powers tasks like real-time ads, network intrusion detection, and web search results. These are just a few of the tasks it can do.
Even when it is completing numerous tasks on our behalf, it also generates jobs. Machine Learning job rank among the top LinkedIn emerging jobs; having almost 2,000 job listings. They also pay well. The average salary for a machine learning engineer was $106,225. These jobs include researchers, engineers, data scientists, and developers.
Technology Trends 4: Robotic Process Automation or RPA
RPA is the use of software to automate business processes. This business processes include processing transactions, dealing with data, email replies and interpreting applications. RPA helps to automate repetitive tasks that people used to do. Some of these tasks include the works of financial managers, CEOs, and doctors.
Although research has estimated that the livelihood of 230 million or more knowledge workers will be threatened as a result of RPA automation, it will also create new jobs while altering the existing ones. It has been found that less than 5 percent of occupations can be totally automated, while almost 60 percent can be partially automated. Career opportunities include project manager, developer, consultant, business analyst, and solution architect. The average salary for these jobs is $73,861.
Technology Trends 5: Virtual and Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) enhances the user’s environment while Virtual Reality (VR) immerses the user in an environment. VR is primarily being used for gaming and as well as for training. A perfect example is VirtualShip, a simulation software used to train the U.S Coast Guard ship captains, Navy and Army. A popular example of AR is Pokemon Go. Both of these ”Realities” have a great potential in education, training, entertainment, marketing, and even rehabilitation after a serious injury.
The demand for job candidates with VR knowledge is up to 37 percent, however, employees are in short supply. Major players in the VR market include Samsung, Google, and Oculus. There are also a lot of startups that are being formed and would be planning on hiring. Getting basic programming skills and a forward-thinking mindset can land you a job. Employers are also looking for people with optics skill-set as well as hardware engineers.
Technology Trends 6: Internet of Things
Internet of Things (IoT) is the future. A lot of things are no being built with WiFi connectivity. This means they can be connected to the internet and each other. Technically IoT enables appliances, home devices, cars and a lot more to be connected and exchange data over the internet. The number of IoT devices reached 8.4 billion in 2017 and it is expected to reach 30 billion devices in 2020. Amazingly, we’re only at the beginning stages!
Consumers are already using and benefitting from IoT. We can preheat our ovens before getting home and lock doors remotely in case we forget. For future purposes, the IoT can enable better efficiency, safety and decision making for businesses as data is analyzed after collecting. It can speed up medical care, improve customer service and enable predictive maintenance. These are just a few of the benefits of IoT. However, a study has found that not a lot of IT professionals are being trained for IoT jobs. Inadequate skills will be the only problem that will stunt the growth of IoT. If you’re interested, this means it is a very easy entry. These fields are not yet saturated, so you can easily find a great job placement. Skills needed include IoT security, data analytics, cloud computing, automation amongst others.
