There is practically no aspect of life that has not been reached by digitization: banking, commerce, education, health services, etc. All sectors have seen the need to adapt and implement systems aimed at remote work and digital access to most services.
Although at first it seemed to be a conjunctural adaptation, of temporary application, the truth is that the changes are here to stay. Producers, merchants, service providers, users and customers have gotten used to this new way of interacting and working.
Greater application of artificial intelligence, more robust software architectures , satellite internet, the metaverse, the democratization of cryptocurrencies; everything points to an unprecedented technological expansion.
The 5 technological trends of 2021 that have caused the greatest impact
In reality, technology has permeated all areas of life, making it difficult to choose which developments are making the greatest impact. However, the most relevant technological trends of 2021 have had to do with digitization and virtuality.
The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is undeniable in the Hong Kong Email List development of many other technologies. So we will start by presenting what have been the greatest advances in this area.
Artificial intelligence
Ever since the mathematician Alan Touring raised the idea of creating machines that could “think” in 1950, the development of AI has been unstoppable. Computation, mathematical logic, neuroscience and linguistics have contributed to the advancement of this powerful tool.
Its development encompasses areas such as robotics, expert computing systems, language recognition, processing, and translation.
The areas in which the greatest progress in AI has been observed during 2021 are:
AI First software. Instead of integrating AI into software , it is used as a starting point for software development.
Software development and IT operations (DevOps ). The greater inclusion of AI in DevOps allows to improve the auditing, cleaning and modeling of data; better prediction and forecasting, more privacy.
MLOps profile for AI . Streamline production and improve the quality of AI models.
Artificial neural networks. Development of GLOM technology, to introduce intuitive-analogical reasoning in the neural network system.
The expansion of artificial intelligence applications directly influences other technology trends, such as AI-based software architectures.
software architectures
Advances in the field of software architecture point to more robust, stable and adaptable structures.
Development of microservices . With modules being developed and deployed independently, systems continue to function even if one module fails.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). They combine functions and unify mobile and web programming.
Cloud management. From SaaS and PaaS to XaaS (everything as a service); machine learning to support innovation; multicloud- like adaptive environments .
In general, software architectures are developing more adaptable and interconnected systems.
metaverse
The big leap in virtual reality and augmented reality technology is the metaverse. Perhaps the most impressive of the technological trends of 2021 has been this virtual environment.
The creation of this metaverse, metauniverse or virtual parallel environment is just taking its first steps. Given the magnitude of the investments from corporations such as Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, this platform is expected to be the next great Internet revolution.
Beyond the field of entertainment, its current natural environment, the metaverse will have a great impact in the fields of education, business and work. Although it is still early to assume a massive implementation of this parallel world, there is no doubt that its development will take digitization to another level.
satellite technology
The expansion of the satellite network is one of the technological advances of 2021 . The Starlink project alone , from the SpaceX corporation, has launched about 1,000 satellites this year. This ambitious project plans to cover the connectivity needs of the entire planet by creating a constellation of 40,000 satellites.
It is expected that the expansion of the satellite network and improvements in speed and performance will soon allow the connection on commercial flights.
blockchain
Another of the technologies that has had great development and expansion in 2021 is that of Blockchain. Its advantages in the field of cybersecurity have meant that this technology has expanded its borders: from the management of cryoptcurrencies to the banking, commercial and business sectors.
Innovations in Blockchain technology are aimed at increasing the speed and security of transactions. The prevention of fraud on the Internet, as well as information leakage, are two advantages of this technology that suggest its expansion. In 2021, Blockchain has developed in the areas of:
Cryptographic storage of financial information
I use Blockchain's cryptographic anchors to identify objects and prevent counterfeiting or tampering.
Digitization of inventories with the use of tokens
Blockchain as a service
Growth of stable cryptocurrencies or stablecoins
Blockchain is proving its usefulness for any digital transaction that requires security, speed, and authentication possibilities.
The technological acceleration of 202 2
When taking a look at the technological trends of 2021, it is not possible to ignore the influence and impact that covid-19 has had. The need to increase the virtual interconnection between companies, suppliers, users, clients and workers, undoubtedly accelerated the development of digital technologies.
At the same time, technological changes push economic, political and social transformations. It is a complex dynamic that is sometimes surprising because of its speed, and that forces us to remain informed and open to changes.