This year we will find 54 majors in five categories (technological, environmental, economic, social and communication) and in four maturity stages. The most trends are in the category of technological trends. Coincidence? I don't think so! Am I surprised by the trends there? Not a bit. Do I agree with the direction presented in them? As much as possible!
Recall my previous articles on trends for 2020 and compare with those presented by infuture.institute results. Technology Trends for 2020 and Trending UX. Am I a fortune teller? ;)
Business knows how important it is to be aware of trends. How to distinguish them from short-lived fashion? Which of them has the potential to become a leading trend? Before I begin my brief analysis of several of them, I would like you to familiarize yourself with the full version of the map. It's worth it! ;)
In technology we trust!
I will focus on technological trends. Why? Firstly, there are the most of them, secondly, they are the most interesting, and thirdly, their use can be as exciting as advertisements during the Super Bowl, and at the same time scary, like the last, famous report of a Polish journalist from the post-Oscar party in Holilóda.
Trend No. 27 BCI (Brain-Computer Interface)
Advanced research is underway to create an interface that would allow communication between the brain and an external device.
To put it simply, have you ever watched X-Men? Suppose it does. With BCI, you can be like Magneto — only instead of manipulating metal objects, you can use your mind to move the cursor on a computer, for example. Doesn't that impress you? Ok. Let's go a little further. With BCI, you can feel like Professor X — read the minds of others or communicate with them through telepathy. Sounds like the script of a science fiction movie? It's nothing yet! Keep reading! ;)
Scientists around the world are working on wireless chips that will be implanted directly into the human brain.
What will the success of these works mean?
- the use of web browsers will be primitive, you will have the entire database in your head,
- download knowledge — you no longer have to do engineer, master, PhD, or other abbreviations that will make you feel smarter — you will get all the knowledge from the cloud,
- live outside your body - you can even be in the head of Elon Musk himself, if he allows you to;)
- experience other lives — thanks to BCI it will be possible to share pain, joy and other emotions.
Brain Computer Interface is the trend that has come closest to the foresight zone, but there are already some solutions in this area. However, the widespread use of this technology still has to wait.
This trend also has its danger. Currently, it is possible to hack your phone, computer or social media profile. But in the case of chips in the brain, it is possible to steal your personality, memories, your own “I”. Hackers can control you even without your knowledge. And this is just scary.
Trend #26 Quantum Computing
The avalanche of data growth will affect the effectiveness of finding the right information in a short time. In 1992, the world was generating 100 GB of data per day, 100 GB per hour in 1997, 100 GB per second in 2002, and according to IDC data, in 2018 humanity was expected to generate 50,000 GB of data per second. Technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, Intel, Atos, IBM and others are in a race whose stakes are high. It is about solving computational problems that will use resources such as memory, space and time.
By 2020, the Chinese have invested $10 billion in quantum computing. This is several times more than what the whole of Europe spends on this type of activity.
Quantum computers They can perform calculations in a few seconds, which can take a classic computer, for example, several years. This technology will allow you to instantly search for the information you need in huge amounts of data.
Trend No. 30. Voice Technology and 31. Virtual Assistants Trend
Do you like to talk to each other? Everyone likes. And if there is no one to talk to, even talking to Siri or the Google Assistant can be extremely interesting. Do you remember the Oscar-winning film “She”? This is an extraordinary love story: a lonely writer buys a new operating system that is designed to meet all the needs of the user. Between him and his operating system, a romance develops... This story shows how big an impact technology can have on us. In 2020, the work is no longer so unrealistic at all.
Voice technologies are opening up new ways to satisfy the desire for personalization, as well as opening up new ways to satisfy the deep-rooted need for meaningful relationships in human nature.
It is estimated that from 2021 there will be more voice assistants in the world than people (according to research company Ovum). This will be a huge change in the nature of our relationship with digital technology.
As AI-powered voice assistants are able to understand their users in deeper and more complex ways, the nature of the relationship users have with these technologies will change. This relationship will become more than just functionality and transaction.
Trend #14 Digital Health Trend
The world of medical innovation is complex and diverse, full of promising technologies, but also hype and marketing. Digital Health Trend points to the development of digital solutions in the field of broadly understood health based on, among others, technologies such as VR, AR, AI or IoT. In 2018, 75 percent of U.S. consumers surveyed said technology is important for managing their health. Patients are increasingly open to smart technologies embracing elements of care, such as physician consultation and monitoring.
The medical technology market is projected to reach $280 million by 2021, and with more than 50 billion devices connected to the Internet by 2023, 30% of these devices will be used in the healthcare industry.
With people spending nearly 5.5 hours a day on their phone, and 58% check their phone at least once an hour, switching to mobile healthcare makes sense.
What about the rest of the trends?
Not that I consider them less relevant, but in my industry it is the technological trends that lead the way. For the sake of politeness, I will mention a few others. A large group in the list are environmental trends. As you can imagine, most of them are related to progressive climate change, the elimination of plastic and the transition to a zero waste philosophy. A sustainable and ecological lifestyle is no longer an option, but something necessary.
From social trends it is worth paying attention to two issues: Offline living and Digital wellbeing. Imagine an alternative... What can you do with your life if you do not participate in all this: hours spent on Netflix, on social media or reading blogs (yes, I realize the irony of the situation;)). You can travel, spend time with friends and family. You can write a novel or start a business.
In communication trends, the Transparency Trend, which points to the growing role of transparency and authenticity in many areas of our lives, deserves attention. So be authentic, be true, be transparent. It pays off!
The Trend Map is the result of year-long research on development directions conducted by infuture.institute. It is an analysis of the data that is published, among others, in the monthly reports “Trend signals”, expanded to include studies, observations and research. The whole world of advertising, design and communication could call it a veritable treasure map leading to a place where everything takes on a deeper meaning.
