It is almost impossible to predict technological evolution. What may have been the rage a month ago may seem almost obsolete at the moment. With technological evolution comes progress.
Anyone who has a job in the IT industry needs to stay on top of things through continuous training. So, what are some of the trends in technology to watch out for in 2019?
Artificial Intelligence
AI is not a new trend, but it remains a fascinating one to keep a close eye on. AI has not permeated every part of our lives; whether play or work. The technology behind AI is quite complex. Machines are now taking over most human activities.
With automation come the inevitable job losses. But, on the reverse, more jobs are being created every day. The jobs are in programming, development, testing, or maintenance, just to name a few.
Virtual (VR) and Augmented reality (AR)
Any avid gamer will tell you a lot about Virtual Reality. With VR, you immerse yourself in a virtual environment, unlike AR which enhances it. Think about Pokemon Go for a clearer understanding of AR.
AR and VR will continue to have a significant role in medicine, entertainment, and education. The job creation potential will be staggering with many start-ups wanting a piece of the pie.
Security
Enhanced security will continue to be a focus in 2019. Think smart homes, remote monitoring, video surveillance, robotics among others.
With all these developments comes the risk of cyber attacks. Developers will need to enhance their skills in several key areas. These include deep learning, cloud technology, and hardware authentication. Behavior analytics and prevention of loss of data will also be critical.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
RPA is the software for business processes. Whether processing transactions, interpreting applications/ data, or any other repetitive tasks, it does not matter the role or job position; it is possible to automate most jobs.
We do not see job automation stopping anytime soon. IT students will also make a foray into the sector. Jobs such as business analyst, project managers, and developers will continue to need the necessary human resources. The industry will continue to create gainful employment for many professionals.
Machine Learning
Machine learning goes hand-in-hand with AI. You program a computer to do what you want it to do, but machine learning takes this a step farther.
With machine learning, the computer will discover insights and patterns from the data. It covers areas like natural language processing (NLP), deep learning or neural networks. Other tasks include intrusion detection on a network, and web search powering.
The trend will continue with developers seeing how far machine learning can go.
Blockchain
With blockchains, you have better security. Other than currencies, the use will expand to other areas. Think cryptocurrencies, medical data, and other security measures.
Final thoughts
Technology has made life so much simpler. Technology simplifies and enhances our lives daily. That is why you do not need to be a tech expert to appreciate what is happening.