Technology is growing at a rapid rate, and although the 21st Century has so far been a bumper century for gizmos and gadgets, things can only progress. We may be half-way through the year, but that doesn’t mean 2017 isn’t yet to bring us surprises in artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Watch this space; the future is bright!
Machine Learning
Machine learning is artificial intelligence which allows computers to learn about our likes, dislikes, and preferences without even being programmed. This enables computers and programs to change their patterns and behaviors depending on the choices that users make, based on incoming data. This is done automatically without ever needing to be updated or manually reprogrammed. One example of this is our Facebook feeds - we only see things which we like to see, usually read or enjoy watching; anything which we scroll over quickly soon gets disregarded and will rarely show up for us to view again.
Driverless cars
This year will be the year when driverless cars make their big break. These cars have the technology to minimize any human error and avoiding danger and distractions that humans are constantly faced with. The mass production of driverless cars is getting close, and safety on the road is getting much better because of this. This new technology has the potential to dramatically change society by extending car-sharing options and therefore saving fuel and decreasing pollution.
Everything on-demand
Thanks to the likes of Uber, and everyone wanting to be ‘The Uber of…’, we’ve got used to everything we could ever want being available at our fingertips. In 2017, we are seeing this technology and need develop even further, and although there are hundreds upon thousands of apps out there which allow us to order food, find a date, or book a room for the night, this is sure to wander into some weird and wonderful technology sooner rather than later.
Physical-digital integrations
Mobile phones and tablets have been bringing technology into our daily lives slowly but surely. You can hardly walk down a street without seeing somebody swiping through the news or browsing social media - we have the whole world in our hands and are constantly connected. We already have access to things like site-to-store purchasing, which enables customers to buy and pick up products in a physical location. We can even sit in bars and restaurants, order from an app and have your food and drinks delivered to your table without even the need to talk to another human being.
Virtual and augmented reality
Last year we saw the first set of virtual reality headsets and cutting edge technology become mainstream. In 2017, we are expecting it to be taken to the next stage and to be popping up just about everywhere. It is set that virtual reality will be with us through our mobile phones without the need for any extra hard or software, augmented reality headsets are going to be designed to integrate seamlessly with our devices and deliver VR experiences on the go. The history of mobile phones will take a giant leap, from tiny computer in our pockets to experience device. This year we will see companies such as Microsoft and Amazon make a breakthrough with their mixed reality and VR platforms.
Human augmented technology
If 2017 is set to be the year of augmented reality, then it seems only natural to progress to human augmented technology. We think that this will be the year where we will see human enhancement robotics take a center stage in the world of technological advancement. This technology has some serious super powers, and helping people to stand and walk again is just the tip of this potential iceberg. Medical robots will be taken to new levels and open opportunities for both the medical industry and patients. Medical breakthroughs are on the way!
Precision medicine
Our healthcare systems can often force us to feel as though we are not being listened to, and that we are being given the same treatment as everybody else. Precision medicine tailors treatment to our personal bodies and needs. This type of healthcare is based on algorithms, data and molecular precision tools. This will dramatically change the way we communicate with our doctors, and instead of treating symptoms, will now be treating people.
IoT and Smart home technology
The revolution of Internet of Things (IoT) has been on the tip of our tongues for some time now, but why aren’t we all already living in homes which are interconnected with our phones and tablets? Most of the holdup, we suspect, has been because there has been too much competition and not a lot of collaboration. Amazon, Google, and Apple are hot on the heels of this technology, so it won’t be long until it is readily available for everybody to use.
The next level will see even more integration between the digital and physical worlds. Brands who are traditionally online now have the ability to have a physical presence in your home, the Amazon Echo for example, and more traditional brands will be bringing the digital in store. You will likely see this in the form of store maps, product trials and being able to scan and price up from our phones.
Automation
There are many people out there who will be pleased with this new technology, as it will see the automation of some exceptionally mundane and boring jobs, which were once human-exclusive tasks, now given to robots. Robotic journalists have been doing the rounds for a while, and it probably won’t be very long until they are capable of writing in depth and even more comprehensive articles than what they are already doing. It is likely that 2017 will see automation begin to take over a whole range of white-collar jobs, and we will even begin to see the end of some human jobs altogether. When automation is twinned with machine learning, everything has the potential of improving at a very fast rate.