Technology, in all its forms, is changing the way we live and what it means to be human. From artificial intelligence (AI) to cryptocurrency to e-commerce, CIOs and IT managers must ensure their companies can adapt to this rapidly changing world. In Japan, a restaurant is experimenting with robotic AI technology to allow employees with reduced mobility to remotely control robotic servers. Companies like JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, and Ford are hosting virtual job fairs tailored to the needs of neurodiverse candidates. Enterprise Rent-A-Car has integrated Braille reading technology into its reservation system for employees who are blind.
About the author Daryl Plummer is Vice President of Research Emeritus and a Gartner Fellow. All these examples show how the use of artificial intelligence increases accessibility to work, one of Gartner's top 10 strategic forecasts for 2020 and beyond. The predictions examine how technology is transforming what it means to be human, and IT managers must be prepared to adapt to a changing environment. As the digital age progresses, assumptions about the fixed nature of what defines man are increasingly challenged. Technology and its applications are likely to affect all aspects of humanity and man's living conditions.
1. BYOD becomes BYOE
Through 2023, nearly a third of IT organizations will extend their BYOD policies with "Bring Your Own Improvement" (BYOE) to account for the increase in humans in the labor market. For computer scientists, the temptation to assert control might increase as human augmentation technology becomes more prevalent, but the real business opportunity lies in exploiting increased interest in BYOE. Currently, the automotive and mining industries use wearable devices to increase worker safety, while the travel and healthcare sectors use technology to maximize productivity. As these technologies evolve, organizations need to start thinking about how physical augmentations can be used in their personal and professional lives. Terminal security must be balanced against the organizational benefits of BYOE.
2. AI increases accessibility
By 2023, the number of disabled people in work will triple as AI and other emerging technologies lower barriers to access. In the United States, only 30% of people with disabilities who are active in the labor market are employed. The remaining 70% represents a large untapped talent pool, especially as today's hiring managers warn of talent shortages and their potential effects on the future of organizations. Changes required can range from cultural (for example, removing the term "stand-up" for meetings) to technical (modifying existing systems to make them more accessible). Organizations that actively employ people with disabilities have an 89% higher retention rate, 72% higher productivity, and 29% higher profitability. Plus, more diversity means additional perspectives. Employees with disabilities can view product development from a different angle, increasing the potential for a product that can appeal to a broader customer base. In 2024, the World Health Organization will formally identify online shopping as a dependency disorder, in response to millions of digital commerce abuses and financial concerns. With increased access to consumer data, marketers can pinpoint who will buy their product and at what point in their buying journey. As technology becomes more and more sophisticated, marketing will be able to predict what consumers want, how to price products, and where to position them more precisely. But with this opportunity comes greater responsibility. As consumers buy more and more products they don't need and can't afford, companies will have to notify them and warn potential buyers of shopping addiction - not much like the way American casinos they have to promote responsible gaming. Businesses and consumer groups can also pressure companies to take responsibility for exploitative or irresponsible acts.
4. Emotions of AI animated commercials
By 2024, AI emotion identification will influence more than half of online ads. As the popularity of biometric tracking sensors continues to increase and artificial emotional intelligence evolves, companies will be able to detect the emotions of consumers and use that knowledge to increase their sales. In addition to environmental and behavioral indicators, biometrics enable a much deeper level of hyper-personalization. Brands need to be transparent about how they collect and use consumer data.
5. Internet of behavior connects people and actions
By 2023, individual activities will be digitally tracked by an "Internet of Behavior" to influence eligibility for benefits and services for 40% of people worldwide. Internet of Behavior (IoB) will be used to connect a person with their digital actions. For example, associating her image, as documented by facial recognition, with an activity like buying a train ticket can be digitally tracked. IoB will also be used to encourage or discourage particular behaviors. For example, the Allwise State Drivewise and State Farm HiRoad programs track driver behavior in exchange for higher (faster speeding, dangerous driving) or lower (safer) insurance policies. However, the ethical implications of extending IoB to reward or punish certain behaviors that provide (or do not access) social services, such as schools or assisted living, raise some concerns.
6. Workers organize business applications
By 2023, 40% of professional workers will use their professional apps, experiences and capabilities in the same way as their music streaming services. All employees have always offered a unique application solution to companies, regardless of their job description or needs. In the future, business units or central computing will receive features in the form of building blocks, allowing them to create individual "playlists" of applications tailored to the specific needs and jobs of employees.
7. Mobile cryptocurrency increases
By 2025, half of all smartphone users without a bank account will use a mobile-accessible cryptocurrency account. As marketplaces and social media platforms start to support cryptocurrency payments, much of the population will move to mobile-enabled cryptocurrency accounts, Africa should see higher growth rate. The same cryptocurrency accounts will also boost e-commerce as trading partners emerge in areas previously inaccessible to capital markets.
8. Blockchain authenticates content
Starting in 2023, blockchain will consider up to 30% of the world's news and video content authentic to fight against fake technologies. Although misinformation has been around for hundreds of years, social media bots have facilitated the rapid rise of deliberate misinformation. In addition to traditional reports, the technology is used to create compelling audio and video. However, organizations and governments are now turning to technology to counter misinformation by using blockchain technology to authenticate photos and videos, as this technology creates an immutable, shared record of content that is ideally viewable to consumers. .
9. The G7 establishes the control of Amnesty International
By 2023, a self-regulatory association for AI and machine learning surveillance designers will be created in at least four of the G7 countries. Artificial intelligence technology is vulnerable to bias (both implicit and explicit), logical flaws, and the general complexities of algorithms. When scaling is applied, these biases can affect entire groups of populations, with a significant impact depending on the reason for the AI. Although AI regulation is challenging, industries will need to create standardization around development and certification, as well as developing a universal set of professional standards for the ethical use of AI.
10. Double calendar of digital innovations.
Through 2021, digital information initiatives will last twice as long as large traditional organizations and cost twice as much as expected. Large organizations will struggle to innovate digitally because they will recognize the challenges of modernizing technologies and the costs of simplifying operational interdependence. On the other hand, smaller and more adept organizations will be in the top position to be first to market. Daryl Plummer is Vice President of Research Emeritus and a Gartner Fellow.