From advancements in automation to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, technology is evolving at a much faster rate than ever before. This is causing many people to wonder what the future holds for their job.
The McKinsey Institute reported that automation alone could get rid of over 73 million jobs in the U.S. by the year 2030. Where do workers go from there?
While we don’t have a proverbial crystal ball, we wonder which one of the below IT trends will have a lasting effect upon our economy and the jobs they create—or destroy?
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things allows many new and innovative devices to connect to the internet to gain and share critical data. From smartwatches to home automation systems, it’s rapidly expanding, helping improve lives, and allowing for the automation of tedious processes.
IoT is also helping certain industries automate menial tasks. For example, a farmer can have sensors in the ground which detect moisture. If the levels drop below a certain point, the sensors can automatically turn on the watering system and then shut them off when levels are optimal.
It’s almost certain that the Internet of Things will remain with us for the foreseeable future. As time goes by, more B2C and B2B applications will be developed that can help extend the functionality and usefulness of both commercial and industrial items.
Chatbots
Have you ever interreacted with chatbox on a website? If so, there’s a good chance you were talking to a computer chatbot. They’re mostly used as a way to free up the time that live human beings spend fielding customer service calls.
As 2020 progresses, advances in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) will help chatbots reach new levels of usefulness as they will be able to understand the subtle nuances of complex human language and respond appropriately.
Chatbots might even come to a point where human beings are no longer needed to staff help desks. Imagine walking into a doctor’s office and having an intelligent conversation with a life-like robot sitting at the front desk. Or calling your CPA over the phone and having their chatbot provide tax advice based upon the questions you ask it.
3D Printing
3D printing is one technology that will most likely disrupt multiple industries. Manufacturing companies and other businesses will be able to 3D print certain parts on-site instead of having to warehouse or pay vendors to deliver them. This saves not only time, but money as well.
On the retail side of things, people could use their 3D printer to print all sorts of household items such as custom cell phone cases, hair clips, combs, or even kitchen utensils.
3D printers, raw materials, and the software that powers them will become more powerful and affordable as time goes by, and that could lead to thousands of lost jobs in many manufacturing industries.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Google Glass was the first foray by a company in an attempt gain entrance into the augmented reality segment. While it wasn’t exactly a resounding success, it did show that some AR applications hold great promise in other sectors.
From classrooms to the doctor’s office, AR is proving its usefulness in a wide variety of niches. Some eCommerce companies are working on virtual showrooms where customers can “try on” clothing and other products in the comfort of their own home before buying them online.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is a game-changing technology that’s here to stay. Once relegated to sci-fi movies, AI is proving itself useful in many different industries such as driverless cars and robot-assisted medical and dental surgeries.
AI is also getting ready to disrupt the writing and journalism industries. Many newspapers are using computer programs to automatically write sports blurbs and other stories without the help of a human being. As AI technology gets more intelligent, it stands to reason that it will displace thousands of writing and reporting jobs.
Blockchain
When people hear the word “blockchain,” they tend to think of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Altcoin, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Blockchain offers tremendous promise in terms of security for industries such as medical, finance, and military.
Blockchain technology can also significantly improve and streamline the global supply chain by facilitating the analyzation and usage of extreme amounts of data. This can help not only improve efficiencies, but allow companies to exploit opportunities for growth, efficiency, and savings.
Tomorrow’s Technology Today
2020 is going to see the above five technologies used in unique and innovative ways that will transform the lives of millions as they allow businesses to operate with greater efficiencies and drive new growth.
Will all of this new innovation cause mass-layoffs of millions of workers in 2020?
Probably not.
Instead, workers should realize that tech is changing and evolving at a rapid pace. This means that they should focus on continued education and improving their tech stack. It will not only help them stay ahead of the curve but allow them to keep and remain relevant for many years to come.