In a few short weeks, 2020 will end, and hopefully, the chaotic atmosphere, including the pandemic, will end with it. In 2021, many are predicting that leaders in marketing will be tapping into technology deeper to make responsive and informed decisions, as budgets are tightened and consumer behavior is changed.

“Going digital” is what most consumers expect. Businesses will have to use digital solutions to satisfy their customers and ensure the growth of their business. Increasingly, the shift in consumer experience is towards the ”push model” where customers can pull services on-demand. Businesses will no longer use the tactic of pushing their products or services onto the buyers.           

Today’s trending technologies will play a big part next year in helping many people cope with and adapt to the many changes and challenges that occurred in 2020. Most of the trends are focused on the new work from home schemes to the new rules about personal interaction in public places.

People from different lifestyles worldwide are adapting to the changes by learning to exist in the increasingly digital and online lives. Necessity will make things happen quickly, and people are quickly learning how to do things safely and efficiently.

Technology trends you should know

People’s reality has changed, and several technologies trending today will have increased applications in 2021.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence

In 2021, artificial intelligence or AI and machine learning (ML) will be even bigger. They will become valuable tools to help people understand our world and our environment, particularly healthcare. Machines will be processing data collected during the pandemic to ensure that people will be better informed, responses will be faster and more sophisticated solutions will be developed. AI will see an increased healthcare and commerce application as computers learn the consumers’ shifting behaviors. Businesses will demand more tools to adapt to the changes and build infrastructure to fit the new budgets and requirements.

AI will figure largely in the development of solutions for touchless outcomes, to ensure that human intervention is limited when conducting business. As the workforce in the workplace shrinks, AI and automation will help fill the void.

Vehicle automation, drones and robotics

Despite the availability of vaccines, the uncertainties regarding the coronavirus will remain, at least in the early part of 2021. As such, passengers using public transport will remain low. With that said, the initiatives about self-driving cars will increase.

There will be an increased dependence on robots as a precautionary measure against infections, especially around the most vulnerable members of the population. Although the human touch is essential, robotic devices will be used for communication when a human caregiver is not available to provide companionship or in-home help.

Moreover, companies with largely empty premises will be using robots to clean and secure their buildings. Stock prices are already soaring for companies that are supplying these types of robots.

Drones will be increasingly used for the delivery of food, medicine and other essential supplies. Some drones will be equipped with computer vision algorithms to monitor public areas to quickly identify places where the risk of viral transmission is high.

Increase in the provision of as-a-service

Startups, innovators and established companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, will continue to deploy tech tools that will require lower investment through subscription. With the new scheme, more companies can gain access to cutting-edge technology to provide them with more flexibility. As-a-service models include software-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, infrastructure-as-a-service, and more. The increased number of offerings ensures businesses that there will be a service that will match what they and their clients need.

Enhanced connectivity through 5G

As more people rely on the internet for work and communication, a faster and more reliable connection is needed. With 5G, the increased speed will open new opportunities, including the trends mentioned in this article. With automation, complex machine learning applications will be able to access big data in real-time. The high-speed networks will facilitate the increased application of automation in many industries.

Extended Reality (XR)

The extended reality that comprises virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will be used in 2021 to tackle the challenges presented by the world’s current situation. The technology will allow people to avoid potentially dangerous situations where the threat of viral transmission is rife. This includes remote medical examinations and diagnosis. Opticians will be able to do examinations in real-time through virtual reality.  

The technologies will also see an increased application in education, limiting the number of physical presence in classrooms, particularly in areas where the transmission rates of coronavirus are still high.