This year will see the commercialization of high-level tech that gained ground in 2019, CB Insights found.
The top tech trends for 2020 cover a wide array of areas including quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 5G, according to a CB Insights report released Thursday.
Most of the items on the list were included in CompTIA's top 10 emerging technologies of 2019. This crossover indicates that 2019 may have been the beginning for many of these technologies, but 2020 is the year when they take flight.
To determine the top trends for 2020, the research team usedanonymized
The following are the tech trends that "deserve close attention in the first year of the 2020s," as stated in the report.
The 5 biggest tech trends of 2020
1. Broader quantum tech commercialization
Advances in quantum computers and quantum cryptography have been in the experimental stage for years, but 2020 will see the technology begin to be commercialized for businesses.
Quantum computers are useful for quickly solving problems or sifting through largedatasets
At the moment, conventional computers still outperform quantum computers, but aspects of quantum computing could help current businesses, according to the report.
Many AI programs in businesses could work much quicker if supported by quantum computers, and some organizations have already begun that.
Microsoft and Amazon, for example, both announced that they are connecting quantum computers to their cloud networks to allow enterprise customers to test experimental algorithms, the report found.
2. AR, VR, and 5G shape the way people work
In 2020, the workplace will become smaller with the growth of virtual collaboration tools, according to the report.
The year 2019 was a huge year for remote work, as communication tools like Slack and Zoom began replacing the need for costly office space.
Advances in AR and VR in 2020, however, will take remote work capabilities to a whole new level by bringing workers virtually into the physical space.
Companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google are working on headsets that could shift any space into a virtual office, and also transport remote workers into an office space, the report found.
This trend started in 2019 with Microsoft's Hololens 2 and will continue throughout 2020.
3. Apple doubles down onhealthcare
Tech giants, particularly Apple, will enhance their involvement in chronic-disease management and routinehealthcare
Certain Apple Watch models focus significantly on health with fall detection, a built-in ECG, and heart rate monitor. The Apple Watch is rumored to eventually have diabetes management. Currently, Apple is selling One Drop glucose monitors, which are designed to integrate with other Apple devices, according to the report.
With so many health-focused devices and features introduced by Apple last year, the report predicts that Apple will build upon those capabilities in 2020.
4. Cyber risks become even more severe
As stated in the report, "2020 will be a year in which the public, businesses, and governments realize security threats to people and physical assets have increasingly become ubiquitous, continuous, and software-based."
Software-basedweapons including ransomware
Ransomware cybersecurity
Organizations must be aware of these threats and stay up to date oncybersecurity
5. AI bias becomes a top regulatory concern
AI in businesses increased significantly in 2019, particularly in hiring and training practices. However, concerns around AI bias have also risen.
While some big tech companies have attempted to self-regulate with AI solutions that focus on ethics, many people questioning if self-regulation will be enough, according to the report.
The report expects monitoring of AI bias to move from self-regulation to governmental regulation in 2020.
Movements in that direction already started last year when the US focused on banninggovernment use race
To prepare, the report recommended tech companies get a head start on compliance by implementing bias policies before any legislation has passed.
Other tech trends
While the top five trends are featured above, the report also dove into nine other trends we could see in 2020:
The top tech trends for 2020 cover a wide array of areas including quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 5G, according to a CB Insights report released Thursday.
Most of the items on the list were included in CompTIA's top 10 emerging technologies of 2019. This crossover indicates that 2019 may have been the beginning for many of these technologies, but 2020 is the year when they take flight.
To determine the top trends for 2020, the research team used
The following are the tech trends that "deserve close attention in the first year of the 2020s," as stated in the report.
The 5 biggest tech trends of 2020
1. Broader quantum tech commercialization
Advances in quantum computers and quantum cryptography have been in the experimental stage for years, but 2020 will see the technology begin to be commercialized for businesses.
Quantum computers are useful for quickly solving problems or sifting through large
At the moment, conventional computers still outperform quantum computers, but aspects of quantum computing could help current businesses, according to the report.
Many AI programs in businesses could work much quicker if supported by quantum computers, and some organizations have already begun that.
Microsoft and Amazon, for example, both announced that they are connecting quantum computers to their cloud networks to allow enterprise customers to test experimental algorithms, the report found.
2. AR, VR, and 5G shape the way people work
In 2020, the workplace will become smaller with the growth of virtual collaboration tools, according to the report.
The year 2019 was a huge year for remote work, as communication tools like Slack and Zoom began replacing the need for costly office space.
Advances in AR and VR in 2020, however, will take remote work capabilities to a whole new level by bringing workers virtually into the physical space.
Companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google are working on headsets that could shift any space into a virtual office, and also transport remote workers into an office space, the report found.
This trend started in 2019 with Microsoft's Hololens 2 and will continue throughout 2020.
3. Apple doubles down on
Tech giants, particularly Apple, will enhance their involvement in chronic-disease management and routine
Certain Apple Watch models focus significantly on health with fall detection, a built-in ECG, and heart rate monitor. The Apple Watch is rumored to eventually have diabetes management. Currently, Apple is selling One Drop glucose monitors, which are designed to integrate with other Apple devices, according to the report.
With so many health-focused devices and features introduced by Apple last year, the report predicts that Apple will build upon those capabilities in 2020.
4. Cyber risks become even more severe
As stated in the report, "2020 will be a year in which the public, businesses, and governments realize security threats to people and physical assets have increasingly become ubiquitous, continuous, and software-based."
Software-based
Organizations must be aware of these threats and stay up to date on
5. AI bias becomes a top regulatory concern
AI in businesses increased significantly in 2019, particularly in hiring and training practices. However, concerns around AI bias have also risen.
While some big tech companies have attempted to self-regulate with AI solutions that focus on ethics, many people questioning if self-regulation will be enough, according to the report.
The report expects monitoring of AI bias to move from self-regulation to governmental regulation in 2020.
Movements in that direction already started last year when the US focused on banning
To prepare, the report recommended tech companies get a head start on compliance by implementing bias policies before any legislation has passed.
Other tech trends
While the top five trends are featured above, the report also dove into nine other trends we could see in 2020:
- Radical
biohacking - Further robot commercialization
- More Saudi Arabian and Russian investment in tech
- Health and wellness tech reach new heights
Tech - Big businesses embrace sustainability
- Shoppers turn to
livestreams - Major businesses could merge
- Bankers roll out their own digital currencies