The tech trends of 2022 may not have been the most cutting-edge, but they were the ones that drew the most venture funding, produced the most patent filings, and generated big opportunities to accelerate performance.
According to futurist and entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, we are on the cusp of experiencing more technological progress than we have seen over the whole of the last century. Innovative advancements have reshaped a variety of industrial sectors, from energy and transportation to health and material sciences. Read on to learn about eight of the strongest tech trends in 2022.
1. Edge Computing
One of the latest innovations in the software industry, edge computing occurs at the edge of networks, close to data generators. Driven by the need for faster, more reliable data processing, edge computing involves moving some portion of computing resources and storage out of the central data center.
Working at the edge confers a variety of different benefits, including real-time business insights and equipment maintenance predictions for onward transmission to the main data center, which can better inform human decisions.
2. AI and Machine Learning
Researchers and organizations are currently leveraging all of their data and computational power to deliver advanced AI capabilities.
A strong theme in the AI world throughout 2022 was machine vision, which relies on a computer’s ability to recognize objects in a photo or video. Language processing, where machines can understand and reply to human voices, also made some big advancements in the last few months of 2022.
3. 6G
5G may still only be in its infancy, but as early as 2018, Chinese researchers had already started working on 6G. By late 2020, China had launched a satellite to test terahertz signal transmission, a project that involved both Huawei and ZTE.
The US quickly followed suit. In 2018 the Federal Communications Commission began taking steps to open a higher frequency spectrum. Two years later, Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions launched the Next G Alliance, which saw major companies like Google, Apple, and AT&T getting involved. Japan, Korea, and several European countries have also started looking into 6G.
6G is predicted to roll out in 2030, potentially earlier in Asia. While the technology is currently in its experimental phases, it could improve upon 5G’s limitations and weaknesses. Experts suggest that 6G will continue to support powerful AR and VR systems just like 5G but tap into even more fields, such as hologram video calls.
4. Photonic Silicon Chips
In terms of high-performance computing, electronic chips have their limitations. Silicon photonics technology is currently undergoing a period of rapid development. It’s providing solutions for AI and cloud computing. Experts believe that within just three years, photonic silicon chips could be supporting data centers all over the world.
5. The Metaverse
In 2021 the metaverse attracted the attention of some of the world’s biggest companies, creating the potential for beneficial experiences not just for consumers but businesses too, in particular those with their own branded corporate spaces within the metaverse. The AR cloud essentially serves as a digital twin of the real world, mapping real objects and physical locations. Here, virtual content can be anchored in the real world and shared across platforms.
The metaverse is only in its formative stages, with associated special computing, AI, and decentralized protocols like blockchain predicted to advance in leaps and bounds shortly. Bloomberg predicts that global metaverse revenue could approach $800 billion in 2024. Against that backdrop, it is not surprising that large tech companies and start-ups alike are vying for space in the metaverse, seeking to leverage its power to help them reach a wider audience.
6. Cybersecurity
As digitization increases, cybersecurity will become even more important. Consumers and businesses alike must protect themselves against cyberattacks, relying on the support of cybersecurity specialists to help mitigate the impact of hacking attempts.
With so much critical data stored on cloud platforms today, it is crucial to enact robust security measures. Recognizing this, businesses and consumers alike are upping their investment in cybersecurity solutions.
7. Smarter Devices
Quantum leaps in computer power have facilitated the development of smarter devices. Today, consumers are increasingly investing in innovations like autonomous cars and intelligent televisions, with many employees working alongside intelligent robots. Going forward, experts predict a smart device revolution, including the introduction of intelligent home robots.
8. An NFT Boom
An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a digital object that conveys ownership of something. The property may be online, such as equipment in a video game, or it may be something in the real world, such as real estate or a seat at a concert. An important part of the digital economy, NFTs are becoming increasingly mainstream, enabling people to own a part of something bigger than themselves.