The following list of 12 trending technologies is a collection of the latest major technologies that are quickly changing our world. They have been chosen based on the projected advancements, future importance and impact, and overall appeal. It’s also important to note that these are not all patented innovations; they merely represent high-growth market trends in the field. The following list is alphabetical by technology name.
1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) – AI is a branch of computer science that deals with intelligent machines or robots interacting intelligently in human environments. The concept was first introduced in 1956, and the term AI was coined by Newell and Simon in 1959. Today, AI aims at computer reasoning, which is “the ability to solve problems that are not so easily solved by more conventional means.” If you want to explore the history of AI, you can read this article on how it’s changed throughout the years.
2) Artificial Photosynthesis – Artificial photosynthesis is a type of artificial photosynthesis. It involves using a method to convert solar energy into chemical energy by using artificial light-absorbing materials called Solar Fuel Generators (SFGs). Usually, these are integrated into “nanostructures” through nanotechnology or nanoscale science.
3) Big Data – Big data is a term used to describe the massive amounts of data that are being collected from disparate sources and the tools used to analyze it. While the definition is still evolving, it can be thought of as a subset of “data mining” that focuses on volume, velocity, variety, and veracity. The idea behind big data is that organizations will be able to collect and process massive amounts of data quickly using a variety of “open source” technologies.
4) Biomimetics – Biomimetics is a technique that applies the principles and methods of Darwinian evolution to engineering and fabricating technology. It may involve using principles of natural systems to design, build, or enhance man-made systems. In other words, biomimetics attempts to match the functions of nature without necessarily imitating it. Another way in which it can be defined is as “the study or use of biological forms for human benefit.”
5) Blockchain – A blockchain is a database (database = database) that keeps track of digital assets. It was first conceptualized by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 with the release of Bitcoin’s whitepaper. The invention of the blockchain was a way for everyone to keep track of an asset at the same time. In the digital world, we are constantly in a race to make all transactions as secure and fast as possible, so it makes sense that this is the biggest breakthrough in technology that we’re finally making real progress on.
6) Cannibalization – Cannibalization is any process of converting one company’s sales into another company’s costs (e.g., an individual company’s revenue into a competing company’s profit). The term was coined by economist Ian Mackelprang in 1982 while describing how large companies could destroy smaller competitors by simply purchasing their entire operations. While most would assume that this would be a mutually beneficial relationship for all involved, cannibalization has been detrimental to small businesses.
7) Cloud Computing – Cloud computing is a system architecture in which the hardware, software, and data required to run a particular application are provided through a remote computer server based on Internet-connected devices (e.g., laptops, smartphones). The term cloud computing was coined in 2001 by David G. Murdock while working at IBM and IBM’s decision to use the term was credited with helping make the concept mainstream. In fact, when he first announced his idea at an industry conference in 1996, he used the word “cloud” instead of “datacenter.
8) Cognitive Computing – Cognitive computing is a computing paradigm in which computers are used to simulate human cognition and human-like reasoning. These machines can perform a variety of tasks that would typically require human intelligence, such as playing games like chess, solving complex mathematical equations, and making decisions about future events based on a combination of the past and present data. These machines will be learning how humans learn for the future.
9) Connected Home – The connected home is an Internet-connected networked system of light bulbs, thermostats, televisions, computers, etc., that allows you to control various devices from anywhere in the world.
10) Containers – Containers, also known as Docker, is a technology designed to help developers build and deploy applications in a much shorter time and with fewer resources. It does this by setting up an “environment” for each application that is built, tested, deployed to one or more servers all within the same package.
11) Cross-Platform – Cross-platform refers to a programming environment or software application that can function on multiple operating systems. In the past, cross-platform was achieved by creating the same applications on different platforms. Nowadays, cross-platform applications are built using HTML5 and JavaScript to target various operating systems like iOS and Android.
12) Cybersecurity – Cybersecurity is a term describing actions or techniques used to protect networks, programs, and data from unapproved access, use, and/or exploits. The term was created in 1987 by Bill Burr (Network World). It has become a vital practice for businesses around the world because security breaches can cost businesses large sums of money.
