These are the 5 Biggest Trends in Technology in 2022

Here are my predictions about the trends most likely to make an impact in 2022. There won’t be any musings about quantum computing, neural interfaces or nanotechnology. They are definitely on the horizon, but their impact will be felt later. The convergence of technology trends will be the key trend in 2022. New tools that allow us to combine them in amazing ways will make this a significant area.

Artificial Intelligence everywhere

Smart used to be connected. Smartphones, smart TVs and a plethora other smart devices were just the same toys, but connected to the internet. Nowadays, “smart”, generally referred to as powered by artificial intelligence (AI), which is generally machine learning algorithms and capable of providing us with increasingly innovative services. Smart cars use facial recognition algorithms that detect if we are paying attention and alert us when we get tired. Smartphones can use AI algorithms to manage everything, from maintaining call quality to taking better photos, to assisting us with just about any task. Smart toilets are coming – they can diagnose digestive issues using computer vision and analyze stool samples.

AI is now a part of the tools we use every day to do our work. This includes the ubiquitous voice assistants and language translators. We also have tools that extract structured data from images, whiteboard scribblings and hand-written notes. AI is also the power behind much of the robotic process automatization that has allowed workloads to be reduced in admin, logistics and accounting as well as HR departments. No matter what industry you work in, there is an AI-powered solution that will make your life easier.

This trend includes AI, IoT, and new super-fast networks such as 5G. All of these are coming together to give us capabilities that we don’t have a few years back. Convergence will be the most important trend over a longer period of time than the one we are currently looking at. The convergence of increasing data volumes, faster processor speeds and “democratization of data” will have a profound impact on society.

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All-as-a service and the “no-code” revolution

The democratization and growth of technology and data will also be a powerful driver. A whole industry has emerged in recent years that aims to make tech-led innovation accessible to as many people as possible. Cloud storage, network, and processing reduce costs. This also helps to minimize the risks associated with setting up costly infrastructure in order for new ideas to be tested. Hybrid solutions are for situations where public cloud services don’t work, such as when it comes to sensitive or confidential data. They have advanced to the point that hybrid solutions can often be viable.

The skills crisis has slowed innovation in certain areas. This sounds like a problem, but it has been a driving force behind the rise of self-service and “do it yourself” solutions. A company doesn’t need to hire a whole army of computer experts to create their “digital brain”, when they can rent one for the job they need. Ready-made AI solutions are available for everything, from marketing and HR to project management and planning and design of manufacturing processes. Companies will continue to deploy AI and IoT infrastructures without having to own a single server or piece of cognitive code.

No-code interfaces are becoming more popular because a lack in programming knowledge or an understanding of data structures and statistics will no longer be a barrier to making a world-changing invention a reality. OpenAI, an Elon Musk-funded research group, has recently released Codex, a programming system that generates code from natural, spoken language. As technology like this develops, which we will see in 2022, and converges with cloud infrastructure’s possibilities, innovation and imagination will be less restricted by a lack either of technical or financial skills.

Virtualization, datafication, and digitization

Many of us witnessed the virtualization and remote working of offices and workplaces in 2020 and 2021. This was a temporary phenomenon that was part of a longer-term trend. We will be more familiar with the idea of a “metaverse”, which is a persistent digital world that exists in parallel to the physical world. These metaverses, such as the one that Mark Zuckerberg proposed recently, will allow us to perform many functions in the real world. This includes working, playing and socializing. These metaverses will be able to model and simulate the real-world with increasing accuracy as digitization continues. This will allow us to enjoy more immersive, convincing, and ultimately beneficial experiences in the digital realm.

Many of us have had the opportunity to experience virtual reality through headsets. However, new devices on the market will greatly enhance the experience by providing tactile feedback and even smells. Ericsson provided VR headsets for employees who worked remotely during the pandemic and is currently developing an “internet of senses” that promises virtual experiences that are indistinguishable to reality by 2030. This may be a bit too far ahead for what we are interested in. However, we will be able to enter the matrix by 2022, thanks to a new Matrix movie.

Transparency, accountability and governance

Technology must be trusted by humans in order to function. There are strong objections to many current uses of technology that are seen as intrusive, dangerous or irresponsible. AI is often referred to as a “blackbox” which means that we cannot see into it to understand its workings. It is more likely that AI is complex than a malicious scheme to restrict our understanding. However, the result is the same. These are alarming instances where AI has been shown to be harmful, such as when Facebook labeled images of black people “primates”. This is especially true in a society where AI is being used to make decisions that impact lives like hiring and firing.

As it became clear that AI is not transparent or easily explained, it has gained popularity. The EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act is an example of how governments understand the need for a regulatory framework. The proposed law prohibits authorities from using AI for social scoring systems and from using facial recognition tools on public places. AI solution providers must also prove that their systems are not capable of causing harm, and will be prohibited from creating “exploiting vulnerabilities” or “causing psychological or physical harm.” However, some argue that the current version doesn’t go far enough. It doesn’t include any requirement that individuals be informed about AI-driven decisions. Sundar Pichai, Google CEO, stated that while regulation of AI is important, there is still a way to ensure that innovation is not stifled. As more people are aware of the potential negative and positive effects that AI and other tech trends could have on society, this balancing act will likely be a topic of increasing importance in 2022.

Solutions for sustainable energy

Renewable energy was the only source of energy to see increased usage during the pandemic. The first ten weeks after lockdown, renewable energy usage increased by 40% in the United States. All non-renewable energy consumption fell worldwide as industries closed down and people stayed home. This resulted in a 8% reduction in global emissions. In the coming years, it is expected that renewable energy will see an increase in investment.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 40% more renewable energy was produced and used in 2020 than in the previous year. This growth is expected to continue into 2022. The cost of producing renewable energy from different sources including offshore wind, solar, tidal and onshore wind fell between 7 and 16. This will be an enormous help to countries and businesses trying achieve their emissions targets. Even though it will take a while before some of these new energy sources are fully realized, biofuels and liquid hydrogen as well as nuclear fusion are becoming viable. These breakthroughs are sure to be the talk of the town. Helion Energy, a pioneer in the field fusion energy that replicates the sun’s process of creating energy, expects its latest prototype fusion generator online in 2022. The field of “green hydrogen” energy will also see practical applications. This is different from the existing processes to make hydrogen energy. These involve the use of large quantities of dirty fossil fuel energy to create electrolysis. However, it uses renewable energy to reduce the environmental impact.