In recent years, the world of I.T. (information technology) has changed drastically. New technologies have reshaped our lives at a rapid pace, while others have become defunct relics of times gone by. Given these incredible developments that would have been unimaginable just decades ago, it only makes sense to wonder how long this momentum will last, and what the future of I.T. might hold.
According to Tech Nation, 10% of all current job vacancies in the UK are for roles in the I.T. industry. Computer Weekly adds that between 2010 and 2020, investment in the UK’s tech industry grew from £1.2 billion to an incredible £11.3 billion, and this growth doesn’t seem set to slow down any time soon. Here are our predictions on what the main future information technology trends might be, and how they could define the tech landscape for years to come.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Smart devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, in ways that many of us take for granted. Technology has made our home lives easier, from having a Roomba do our chores for us, to Ring doorbells helping provide security when we’re away. There has also been a rapid development of healthcare devices in the last few years. For example, Tectales reports that scientists in America are developing a prosthetic arm that can simulate the sensation of touch and move in response to the user’s thoughts. This technology has huge implications for healthcare; assistive devices can improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and long-term illnesses, and these devices are predicted to improve in both design and functionality in the coming years with the discovery of new technologies.
These kinds of devices utilise a combination of technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, and machine learning, all of which come under the umbrella of artificial intelligence (AI). They are also becoming increasingly visible in our lives outside the home – for example, restaurants in Japan are mobilising robot waiters to fill the country’s labour shortage in the service industry, and this is a trend that is beginning to catch on elsewhere, especially in the tourism and retail industries. While this may have some negative consequences, such as human workers being made redundant, this is nonetheless an exciting demonstration of the potential of artificial intelligence, which will no doubt have consequences for the rest of the information technology industry.
Development of Virtual and Augmented Realities
When you think of virtual or augmented reality technologies (VR and AR), your first thought might about how are they are used in entertainment. Popular video games, such as the 2016 hit Pokémon Go, are being adapted or built exclusively for this kind of technology. However, VR and AR are also being increasingly used for practical purposes, which may reshape certain industries in the coming years.
One industry in particular that will benefit from the development of VR and AR technology is healthcare. Tech company Built In lists some great ways that VR and AR can help improve both the lives of both patients and medical professionals; for example, with this technology, patients can attend virtual therapy appointments without needing to attend a doctor’s surgery. In addition, trainee doctors can practise surgery simulations in a risk-free environment. The possibilities of VR and AR technology are nearly endless, so no matter what industry you work in, you can be sure that you’ll be seeing a lot more of this in the coming years.
Growing importance of Cyber Security
If there’s one area of I.T. that regularly appears in the news, it’s cyber security. Data breaches and systems being brought offline by hackers make for quite a sensational headline, as well as creating a huge embarrassment for the affected organisations. As a result, most companies are making the effort to bring themselves up to speed with the latest cyber security measures – and if your organisation isn’t doing this yet, they should be. If you need some advice on where to start, check out our blog with our 10 top tips to keep your business cyber secure here.
However, this isn’t just a business issue. Governments across the world are recognising that cyber security attacks pose a threat to national security, and are making preparations to ensure they are well protected from these. This summer, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced £700,000 of funding to help boost the UK’s cyber security sector. According to Government Computing, this funding is expected ‘to boost regional growth and employment in cyber security [and] help the country’s cyber firms develop skills, collaborate and expand businesses’. If you want to get involved with this exciting area of I.T., find out how our Cyber Security course will get you qualified and into work over on our website here.
A new era of the Space Race?
The tech industry might soon be exploring the final frontier in a big way. Following President Trump’s announcement of a United States space force back in 2018, many commentators have speculated that outer space might soon be used for military purposes, even to the point where it may be used as an arena for warfare. While this hasn’t yet happened on a noticeable scale, there are reports that some nations have used space technologies to block satellite communications and hack systems to eavesdrop on phone or data streams. Therefore, cyber security may soon go hand-in-hand with space technology as part of national and international defence efforts.
On a more positive note, there have also been rumours that other planets in our galaxy might become tourist destinations in the future. Elon Musk, the notorious billionaire founder of SpaceX, has made no secret of his ambitions to establish a permanent human colony on Mars. Virgin Galactic is also preparing to launch the first commercial space flights, meaning that the dawn of a new space race may be upon us. It goes without saying that technology of this ambition will need specialists from all areas of I.T., to manage everything from the hardware of on-board computers to the communications between astronauts and flight controllers. Therefore, this could be a very exciting and promising career path to explore, if you are willing and able to commit to years of rigorous education and training.
Final thoughts
The future of information technology is undoubtedly looking to be an exciting one. Record growth is predicted across a range of areas, particularly in artificial intelligence, cyber security, and space technologies. Although we’ll have to wait and see what happens, if you’re considering a career in I.T., now is as good a time as any to get started.
