Technology is constantly evolving and transforming the world we live in. From the way we communicate, work, learn, shop, and play, technology has a huge impact on our lives and society. As we enter a new year, it is important to keep an eye on the emerging tech trends that will shape our future. Here are the top 10 tech trends to watch in 2023:
1. AI Everywhere
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a buzzword, but a reality that is permeating every aspect of our lives. AI is the ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing images, making decisions, and learning from data. AI is becoming more accessible and affordable thanks to no-code AI platforms that allow anyone to create and deploy AI applications without coding. AI is also becoming more powerful and versatile thanks to advances in natural language processing, computer vision, deep learning, and reinforcement learning.
AI is enabling new possibilities and opportunities in various domains and industries. For example, AI is transforming retail by providing personalized recommendations, contactless shopping, autonomous delivery, and inventory management. AI is also enhancing healthcare by enabling faster diagnosis, better treatment, and improved prevention. AI is also revolutionizing education by providing adaptive learning, personalized feedback, and intelligent tutoring. AI is also empowering creativity by generating music, art, and stories.
AI is everywhere, and it will continue to grow and improve in 2023. According to Gartner1, by 2025, 75% of enterprise applications will use AI. According to IDC2, the global spending on AI will reach $110 billion by 2024.
2. Parts of the Metaverse Will Become Real
The metaverse is a term that describes a virtual world where people can interact with each other and digital content in a persistent and immersive way. The metaverse is not a single platform or technology, but a collection of interconnected virtual spaces that span different devices, applications, and networks. The metaverse is envisioned as the next evolution of the internet, where physical and digital realities merge.
The metaverse is still a nascent concept, but it is gaining momentum and attention thanks to the popularity of online gaming, social media, and virtual reality. Some examples of platforms that are building or exploring the metaverse include Roblox3, Fortnite4, Facebook5, Microsoft, and Nvidia. These platforms are creating or enabling virtual environments where users can create, share, socialize, and collaborate.
The metaverse will not be fully realized in 2023, but parts of it will become more real and accessible. According to PwC, the global market for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will grow from $46 billion in 2019 to $1.5 trillion by 2030. According to Statista, the number of active VR users will reach 171 million by 2022.
3. Quantum Computing R&D
Quantum computing is a type of computing that uses quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. Quantum computers can potentially solve problems that are intractable for classical computers, such as optimization, encryption, simulation, and machine learning.
Quantum computing is still in its early stages of development, but it is making significant progress and attracting significant investment. Some of the leading players in quantum computing include IBM, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Intel, Alibaba, and IonQ. These companies are developing quantum hardware, software, algorithms, and services.
Quantum computing will not be widely available or practical in 2023, but it will be an important area of research and innovation. According to BCG, the global market for quantum computing will reach $65 billion by 2030. According to Nature, there are more than 200 quantum computing startups worldwide.
4. Gene Editing Goes Mainstream
Gene editing is a technology that allows scientists to modify the DNA of living organisms with precision and accuracy. Gene editing can be used for various purposes, such as curing diseases, enhancing traits, creating new products, and improving agriculture.
Gene editing is becoming more accessible and affordable thanks to advances in tools such as CRISPR-Cas9, which can cut and paste DNA with ease and efficiency. Gene editing is also becoming more regulated and ethical thanks to guidelines from organizations such as the World Health Organization and the International Commission on the Clinical Use of Human Germline Genome Editing.
Gene editing will not be widely adopted or accepted in 2023, but it will be a mainstream topic of discussion and debate. According to Grand View Research, the global market for gene editing will reach $11.2 billion by 2025. According to The Economist, the number of clinical trials using gene editing will increase from 20 in 2019 to 100 by 2023.
5. Green Tech at a Tipping Point
Green tech is a term that encompasses technologies that aim to reduce the environmental impact of human activities, such as energy production, transportation, manufacturing, and consumption. Green tech includes technologies such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, smart grids, biodegradable materials, and carbon capture.
Green tech is becoming more viable and competitive thanks to technological improvements, cost reductions, policy support, and consumer demand. Green tech is also becoming more urgent and necessary due to the growing threat of climate change and its consequences.
Green tech will not be fully implemented or sufficient in 2023, but it will be at a tipping point where it can make a significant difference. According to BloombergNEF, the global investment in clean energy will reach $4.3 trillion by 2030. According to IEA, the global electric car sales will reach 60 million by 2030.
6. Web3
Web3 is a term that describes the next generation of the internet, where users have more control, ownership, and privacy over their data and digital assets. Web3 is enabled by technologies such as blockchain, decentralized applications (DApps), smart contracts, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Web3 is envisioned as a more open, transparent, and democratic web, where users can create, exchange, and monetize value without intermediaries.
Web3 is still an emerging and experimental concept, but it is gaining traction and adoption thanks to the popularity of cryptocurrencies, DeFi (decentralized finance), and NFTs. Some examples of platforms that are building or supporting Web3 include Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, and OpenSea. These platforms are creating or enabling decentralized networks, protocols, applications, and markets.
Web3 will not be fully mature or mainstream in 2023, but it will be a disruptive and influential force in the digital economy. According to Deloitte, the global blockchain market will reach $39.7 billion by 2025. According to DappRadar, the total value locked in DeFi reached $200 billion in October 2021. According to Dapp.com, the total sales volume of NFTs reached $10.7 billion in Q3 2021.
7. Hyper-Connectivity and Cyber-Resilience
Hyper-connectivity is a term that describes the increasing interconnection of people, devices, and data across the world. Hyper-connectivity is enabled by technologies such as 5G, IoT (Internet of Things), edge computing, cloud computing, and AI. Hyper-connectivity is expected to improve efficiency, productivity, convenience, and innovation across various domains and industries.
Hyper-connectivity also brings new challenges and risks, such as cyberattacks, data breaches, privacy violations, and digital divide. Cyber-resilience is a term that describes the ability of organizations and individuals to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats. Cyber-resilience is achieved by implementing technologies such as encryption, authentication, firewall, antivirus, backup, and recovery.
Hyper-connectivity and cyber-resilience will be essential and complementary in 2023. According to Ericsson, the global number of 5G subscriptions will reach 580 million by the end of 2021. According to IDC, the global spending on IoT will reach $1.1 trillion by 2023. According to Gartner, the global spending on cybersecurity will reach $174 billion by 2022.
8. Next-Gen Software Technologies
Next-gen software technologies are technologies that enable faster, easier, and better development and delivery of software products and services. Next-gen software technologies include low-code/no-code platforms, microservices architectures, serverless computing, containerization technologies, DevOps practices, and agile methodologies.
Next-gen software technologies are becoming more popular and prevalent thanks to the increasing demand for digital transformation, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Next-gen software technologies are also becoming more accessible and affordable thanks to cloud-based services, open-source tools, and online communities.
Next-gen software technologies will be indispensable and dominant in 2023.
