5 Emerging Technology Trends to Inspire Your Next Career

By Nancy LaPerla On May 4, 2021 · In Technology

Updated: October 10, 2023

A recent Time magazine article claimed that “Every Company is a Tech Company Now. The Disruption is Just Beginning.” With it, the list of emerging technology trends and required skills continue to evolve.

Top Emerging Technology Trends on the Rise

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

It feels like artificial intelligence and machine learning have been the next big thing for a while. Furthermore, the next two years might be the tipping point for increased demand and growth. Such as hyper-automation to cybersecurity to IoT. In addition, IT executives worldwide cite AI/ML as a strategic priority.

But it’s not without its issues. A recent Juniper Networks report cites the three most significant barriers to widespread AI/ML adoption:

• AI-Ready Technology Stacks – Organizations continue to struggle with the integration and investment hurdles related to practical implementation.
• Readying the Workforce – C-level execs cite the preparation and expansion of staff to integrate with AI systems as a high priority.
• AI Governance – Most executives agree they need a governance and compliance policy in place, but most rank its creation and implementation as one of their lowest priorities.

What can IT professionals do to increase their knowledge and skills base on AI and machine learning-related technologies? In fact, according to Gartner, bringing discipline to AI development through AI engineering is essential. For this reason, AI engineering incorporates DataOps, ModelOps, and DevOps. Rather than discreet specialized and isolated projects, it should be considered part of the mainstream DevOps process.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Just like AI, Virtual and Augmented Reality are highly anticipated technologies. Industries also continue to adopt VR and AR for entertainment, retail, and general business purposes.

Here are just a few of the emerging technology trends:

• Mobile AR: Apple ARKit 4, Google ARCore: Recent upgrades to Apple’s ARKit 4 and Google’s ARCore platform have made great strides in the app development industry.
• AR in Shopping and Retail – From virtual fitting rooms to seeing what furniture or paint colors might look like in their own home, AR enables users a robust try-before-you-buy experience.
• Utilizing AR for Navigation – In October 2020, Google announced new features to improve its AR Live View walking directions in Google Maps. These include the expansion of Live View to more cities and the ability to overlay landmarks.
• Augmented Reality Relies on Artificial Intelligence – The example of virtual fitting room technology wouldn’t be possible without artificial intelligence.
• Remote Assistance and Virtual Manuals – AR allows IT technicians to provide tech support using on-screen directions. In other words, a remote employee can hold their smartphone camera up to a computer that needs service, and the technician draws over the screen to direct the user to areas of attention.

Which skills do you need for a career in virtual and augmented reality technology? It depends on which niche you choose:

• Software Developer / Senior Software Engineers will need two to five years experience in VR, AR, or MR; Practical experience with Unity; Experience developing for Oculus, Vive, and other platforms; C# development experience.
• Design/Graphics Engineers require experience developing 3D applications or games; have worked with or are familiar with 3D game engines like Unity and Unreal; Years of experience coding in C#, C++, and other languages like Java; Hold an academic degree in computer engineering and skilled with 3D maths.
• Product and Project Managers generally require five to ten years in product management; Experience collaborating on projects with teams of designers, prototypers, product testers, and engineers; leading customer experience and work environment and establishing project frameworks.

Forrester predicts AI, machine learning, and automation will create 9 percent of new U.S. jobs by 2025. These jobs include robot monitoring professionals, data scientists, automation specialists, and content curators. For more info on AR/VR skill requirements, check out: In-Demand AR and VR Jobs: Skill Requirements, Pay Scale, and Demand Trends.

5G Infrastructure

With all of the emerging technology trends and IT services, 5G is guaranteed to make a lasting impact. Demand for higher-speed internet, smart, well-connected homes, and autonomous mobility continue to drive consumer demand for 5G-6G internet technology. For businesses, 5G serves as a toolkit to fix existing problems and mitigate unanticipated ones. In the abstract, it represents a new way of working and thinking.

A few important 5G-driven business benefits to consider:

• It can run any business process remotely, even the most critical ones.
• It offers real-time control over every business process.
• All operations are automated.
• It employs edge technology where relevant and compute resources when it makes sense.
• Security is intrinsically higher without sacrificing performance or speed.

How can you ride the coming wave of 5/6G technology? You can prepare yourself by following a few of these steps:

• Take time to learn about 5G infrastructure. Knowing how this new generation of wireless networks are built will help you understand how it can be applied for a particular use.
• While 5G security is intrinsically higher, it will continue to be a challenge. 5G brings many new touchpoints to networks, and every one of them is a potential attack point.
• Data security is also essential as more and more businesses pass sensitive data over public connections. It will be essential to understand how to secure data while in transit.
• Security for both carrier and enterprise network engineers is an area to manage closely. The combination of enterprise networks, cloud services and 5G may create overlaps, but may also create gaps that need to be monitored.

Edge Computing versus Cloud Computing

It used to be one of the top emerging technology trends to watch, but  now cloud computing is now mainstream, with major players AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform dominating the market. According to a recent article in Hosting Tribunal:

• The public cloud service market is expected to reach $623.3 billion by 2023 worldwide.
• 94% of enterprises already use a cloud service.
• 30% of all IT budgets are allocated to cloud computing.
• Public cloud infrastructure is expected to grow by 35% in 2021.

The technology trend that’s taken its place is Edge Computing. Specifically, Edge computing bypasses the latency caused by cloud computing. As the amount of data that organizations produce continues to increase, latency becomes an even bigger obstacle. Edge computing can get data to a data center faster and exist “on the edge”—closer to where the computing needs to happen. It can process time-sensitive data in remote or no-connectivity locations to a centralized location. In effect, it acts like mini datacenters.

It’s estimated that 50% of enterprise data will be generated outside its primary data center by 2023. Moving that data and processing power closer to its creators and users (whether people, applications, or environmental sensors) maximizes the speed and impact of that data to inform and add value to its users.

What’s in it for you? Plenty of new jobs for networking and hardware professionals and software engineers. Demand for security applications will increase as each “edge” creates a potential point of access for security breaches. It’s also anticipated that widespread adoption of edge topology will create more demand for developers who work with virtual and augmented reality.

Cybersecurity Careers

Cybersecurity is not one of the most recent emerging technology trends, but the technology is always evolving. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in information security will grow 31% between 2019 – 2029 — that’s much faster than the average for all other occupations.

Just like the old-time carnival game whack-a-mole, every time a security breach has been controlled, another one pops up. Hackers will continue to discover ways to work around the toughest security protocols. And every time they do, enhanced security measures are necessary.

Cybersecurity is both challenging and lucrative. For instance, roles range from cybersecurity engineer and information systems analyst to ethical hackers and Chief Information Security Officers. Therefore, if you are looking for a career that promises constant change and growth, cybersecurity is definitely one to consider.

Lastly, there are always new IT trends to look out for, and it’s important to stay up to date on emerging technology trends. From programming languages to new communication platforms to trending technology careers. In other words, tech pros always have something to help them learn and evolve. For more on trending careers, head over to our Search Jobs page to see how we can help point you in the right direction.

About Benchmark IT –Technology Talent

Benchmark IT offers technology consulting, executive search, and direct hire recruitment and staffing services. We service a wide range of clients and industries throughout the metro New York area and beyond. Our proprietary recruitment process, and dedication to precision, ethics, and personalized service sets us apart from other recruiting firms. As a result, Benchmark IT has become a trusted partner among Fortune-ranked companies, mid-market, start-up, and growth-phase firms since 2007. For additional information, visit: www.bmarkits.com.

Sources:

https://www.inc.com/anis-uzzaman/top-business-technology-trends-in-2021.html#:~:text=Trend%207%3A%20A.I.%2C%20robotics%2C,A.I.)%20and%20industrial%20automation%20technology.
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