Trending tech of 2022

Just a few months ago, drones were a novelty. Now they are in news nearly every day. Phrases like Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning were little known. Today they are commonly used. As the march of technology accelerates, let’s take a look at what to expect in 2022. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has identified the top new technology which will impact business and personal lives next year. 

“The expert working group has identified key technologies based on three parameters and framework. All technologies were assessed on business potential; innovation level and take-off stage opportunity,” says Shekhar Sanyal, director and country head, IET India. Here are the five main categories of technology that will become prominent in 2022. These will impact nearly all sectors. 

NFT/tokenisation, decentralised identity

 The concept of decentralised identity will manifest itself in several ways. On business opportunity and take-off parameters, this set of technologies ranks the highest. However, the regulations on blockchain and cryptos are yet to mature. Microsoft describes decentralised identity as “a trust framework in which identifiers, such as usernames, can be replaced with IDs that are self-owned, independent, and enable data exchange using blockchain and distributed ledger technology to protect privacy and secure transactions.” Collins dictionary has selected NFT as the word of the year for 2021. NFT is defined by Collins as, “A unique digital certificate, registered in a blockchain, that is used to record ownership of an asset such as an artwork or a collectible.”  Such tokens are a symbol of new form of identifying objects and people. 

Human digital twin 

Covid-related research has pushed DNA-based innovation to new levels. Scientists are able to produce a digital twin of a human to improve their understanding of our complex body systems. Digital version of humans will be created by data generated by various diagnostic efforts. Information from various devices will be stitched together and analysed for each individual. These will help predict and fight diseases. 

Decision intelligence, generative AI

AI will get smarter and sharper. Gartner says, “By 2023, more than 33 per cent of large organisations will have analysts practising decision intelligence (including decision modelling).” Humans will work far more collaboratively with artificial intelligence for rapid and complex decision-making. Similarly, generative AI will be a far more creative version of AI. It will be able to create content using existing information and images. Content will be created at levels to match human output. 

Satellite communications

Rising investments and supportive policies will bring connectivity to every part of India. With all its efforts, India and other emerging markets will not be able to cover their citizens with existing communication technologies.  “The global satellite communication market size was valued at $66.63 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8 per cent from 2021 to 2028,” says Grand View Research. “The escalating demand for small satellites for earth observation services in various industries, such as oil and gas, energy, agriculture, and defence, across the globe is the primary factor driving the market.” 

Immersive technologies & extended reality  

Be a part of every experience and activity. Even as augmented and virtual reality grow rapidly with increasing business applications, many versions and levels have created the overarching concept of extended reality or XR. Says computing firm HP, “XR tech takes the human-to-PC screen interface and modifies it, either by 1) immersing in the virtual environment (VR), 2) adds to, or augments, the user’s surroundings (Augmented reality), or 3) both of those (Mixed Reality).”