These are the key technology trends

Technology is developing rapidly. So fast that companies often struggle to adapt. For all those who want to be up to date next year, the research and consulting firm Gartner has defined the 10 most important tech trends.

Market research firm Gartner Inc. has compiled a list of the ten most important technology trends in 2019. Right at the forefront: autonomous vehicles. Digital ethics will also be an important topic.

Digital progress is changing the demands on us as consumers, employees or entrepreneurs. Our only chance not to be left behind: lifelong learning. These 10 IT trends you should know today:

1. Autonomous objects

Of course, self-driving cars are among the hottest IT trends. Artificial intelligence ("AI" or "AI" - artificial intelligence) is the keyword here. Drones and robots are also part of this trend.

The vision of intelligent swarms is inspiring: when many objects interact autonomously and perfectly, human intervention in industrial, road and other life processes will no longer be necessary.

However, humans will be needed as a safety and control authority because human intuition and ethics can not (yet) be replaced by robots. And something else is needed: Everyone is waiting for 5G.

2. Augmented Analytics

Machine learning is used, among other things, to optimize data preparation and management in large analyzes. This improvement will help companies to make better strategic decisions. Areas of application can be eg personnel policy, sales, marketing, customer service or purchasing.

3. Artificial intelligence in development

The "traditional" development of applications in the IT sector will change so that a developer will no longer be able to work without predeveloped tools based on AI algorithms. Alternatively, AI could be applied to the development process itself.

The goal is the automation (and thus optimization) of various functions. Gartner's prediction is that by 2022, at least 40% of all new developer projects will have a co-developer specializing in AI in the team.

4. Digital twins

Here we also had to read three times: A "digital twin" is the digital copy of a real system that consists of the data that collects sensors and endpoints implemented in the system. For a better understanding, we explain the use of sensors in our articles on the topics Internet Of Things and Industry 4.0 (also: Industrial Internet of Things or IIoT).

5. Edge computing

In this case, "edge" means that the data masses are processed "on the edge" of the conventional network in order to relieve conventional data centers. Edge computing (or "empowered edge") minimizes delay times, everything feels "live". Edge devices will be equipped with powerful AI chips in 2019.

6. Immersive experience

The way we humans perceive and interact with the world is changing. With Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) - even on conversation platforms that we use - we are increasingly connected to a new virtual reality. As a result of the growing number of connected devices, such as wearables, applications and connected cars , people are finally merging with the Internet.

7. Blockchain

The blockchain should move closer to the truth and create more confidence and transparency in business ecosystems, the experts said. Conversely, this means that the blockchain exists only because confidence in banks and governments and their very own truths has shrunk in recent years.

Fictional fees, non-transparent cost models, and deliberate delays in money transactions are believed to be a thing of the past with transaction processing via the blockchain.

8. Smart Spaces

A room can be a physical or digital environment. In an intelligent space, man and the Internet of Things come together: processes, services, things, algorithms and people interact with each other. Scenarios or experiences resulting from the interplay will advance man and industry (or simply entertain us well).

9. Digital Ethics

Whether we can speak of a trend here is questionable. Rather, a responsible approach to people's privacy is a necessity. Consumers (and businesses) need more support in the area of data security.

The mass data evaluation must be limited. Discrimination or solidarity due to big data (e-health, for example) must be counteracted. Policies and industry must ensure that the end-user is informed at all times about the nature and extent of the data flow and can intervene.

10th quantum computer

Conventional computers and even supercomputers will soon reach their limits. One possible solution: the quantum computer. What makes it attractive for big data purposes is the fact that its memory units do not work according to classical physical laws, but according to the laws of quantum mechanics.

In a typical computer, information is represented as bit rows. In this case, a bit can have the value 1 or 0, the bits are processed one after the other during a calculation task. A quantum computer can display these bits not only one after the other, but simultaneously. Many industries will benefit from this technology in the future, says Gartner.

However, there is a fear that the birth of the quantum computer could also be the day when our modern security standards are set aside once and for all. All of today's encryption techniques would be ridiculously easy to circumvent using quantum algorithms. Quantum-resistant encryption already exists - but they also need to be used. Digital security is often an economic and not a technical problem.