Technology trends to watch in 2018

In the coming 2018, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and other technology trends such as blockchain are worth paying close attention to...

In recent years, technology has continued to advance at an exponential rate, with each new year ushering in a new technological era. 2014 saw the rise of 3D printing machines, Oculus Rift VR, more flexible robots and drones; 2015 revealed innovative technologies such as wireless payment, nano-architecture and vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V) on mobile devices; 2016 and 2017 brought new advances in the Internet of Things (IoT), sodium-ion batteries and artificial intelligence (AI) such as Sophia. It may be difficult to predict what new technologies will emerge in 2018, but it is certain that the next new technology era will be even more intriguing.

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Here are some technology trends we should keep an eye on in the coming year:

In the next decade, it is estimated that half of all jobs may be replaced by AI robots.

AI

In 2017, more practical AI application needs began to emerge in various industries around the world. For example, technology giants such as IBM, Google and Microsoft continue to improve automation technology to eliminate human error factors. Companies such as Fujifilm and Amazon plan to use AI in most digital data services to enhance existing systems.

Sinovation Ventures Chairman and CEO Kai-Fu Lee (former Google China President) pointed out that in the next decade, about half of the jobs will disappear and be replaced by AI. If this prediction is true, it will be particularly meaningful to pay attention to the progress of artificial intelligence in 2018.

Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality

As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, we can expect to see more and more applications for virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) in the future. The applications for VR/AR are wide-ranging: from new, more immersive video games to training fighter pilots, and everything in between. In 2018, we can expect to see more applications that incorporate this emerging technology. Heads-up displays (HUDs) provide the wearer with details of the environment they are in, or allow users to connect to the Internet or any device, not only wirelessly, but also without having to do it manually.

In 2017, the wildly popular Pokémon Go game took the world by storm with its augmented reality, breaking all game download records and generating over $30 billion in revenue in 2017 alone. In 2018, we can expect to see other similar VR/AR developments as other companies try to replicate Pokémon Go’s runaway success.

Blockchain/Cryptocurrency

It’s hard to predict trends for 2018 without mentioning “cryptocurrency.” Everyone is talking about it—from how it actually works to what it is—but it remains a mystery to many. Not only is it a difficult topic to understand, but it also has the added bonus of being in it and almost impossible to get out of it.

Sure you can buy all you want bitcoin, but who can you sell it to? You might ask why this phantom new form of money has taken off? The answer is simple, it's worth a lot of money. Before 2017, bitcoin had increased in value by more than a hundred times. If we expect this trend to continue into 2018, then cryptocurrencies are certainly something to watch.

Bitcoin is currently the most important cryptocurrency.

Energy Storage

As green energy creates a huge wave in the world's energy landscape, the concept of energy storage will be more important than ever in the new year. The rapid progress of green energy production technology will require a large amount of energy storage and equipment in order to continue to grow and compete with fossil fuels.

Many companies and startups, such as Tiamat, are working to develop new ways to store or use energy, and sodium-ion batteries are expected to be at the forefront of the energy storage arms race. Sodium is a more abundant chemical that can charge and store energy nearly 10 times faster than lithium, so it is expected to play an important role in the future. No one knows exactly what energy production will look like in 2018, but we can safely estimate that the demand for energy storage will continue to expand.

Digital/Cloud Services

Digital data is a big part of our lives now, and similarly, in 2018 we’ll see more and more data being stored in cloud services like iCloud and Google Drive. Now, the amount of data you can store is no longer limited to the amount of memory or hardware built into your device. All you need to have an internet connection and an email address is always accessible.

In addition to free storage space, many companies also provide other additional services such as low-cost terabyte storage capacity. Entities and businesses that need to store large amounts of data often use this type of cloud service, so please continue to pay attention to the development of digital cloud services and technologies in 2018.

There is always an App you need on your phone!

app

Whatever you're looking for, there's an app for it. How long until the bus arrives? Check out Is the Bus Coming? Can't find your keys? Let Tile help. Hungry and want to order food for delivery? No problem, just look for a food delivery app. Whatever your problem, you can almost always find a solution with an app on your phone.

In 2018, we can expect to see more apps that combine physical services with mobile phones. Just look at the success stories of Uber and Lyft. With most services integrated with apps, it is easier for consumers to purchase goods, which also helps promote consumption.

In addition to the six trends mentioned above, what other technologies do you think should be paid special attention to in 2018? We will also keep a close eye on other developments in the industry. If the past has taught us anything about technological evolution, it will be lurking around the next corner, waiting to surprise us at any time.