Emerging Technologies

When you think about it, you would have to think that this example of emerging technology under the quantum heading clearly fits into the category of disruption. Just recently, scientists at the universities of Alberta and Toronto have what is being described as a blue-prints for a "quantum battery." With so many breakthroughs being announced these days, you might wonder what’s the big deal.  The big deal is that quantum batteries never lose their charge.

The global battery market is expected to grow at over 6.5% over the next few years.  This places expectations for that global market at over $125 billion by 2025.  While the quantum battery is not ready for prime time by any stretch of reality, perhaps after the next five years quantum batteries will be in a position to disrupt the status-quo!

LINK: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-have-made-a-blueprint-for-a-quantum-battery-that-never-loses-charge

Earlier this year, Forbes published an article titled, “Today's Companies Have a Technology Adoption Problem, Not an Innovation Problem.” By most accounts they are correct.  As for emerging technology, some organizations don’t understand it, some believe they can’t afford it, others believe it is just not necessary. Whatever the reason, failure to monitor and adapt to emerging technology driven change is a big risk.

Leveraging these emerging technologies is necessary for any business to grow and prosper as well as for an increasing number to even survive!  The following are the five most likely highly disrupted industries based on my analysis of the current state of emerging technologies. (In alphabetical order)

• Construction
• Finance & Insurance
• Government
• Healthcare
• Real-Estate

The way we live and work is changing. Emerging technologies have begun to have an intense effect on organizations large and small.  There is a delicate balance that must be achieved between likely benefit(s) and the risk(s) of dealing with the new/unknown.  Subject-matter Experts (SME) believe organizations need to take the first step.  They commonly recommend ‘Pilot Projects’ as the best approach.  Some suggest organizations seek and independent opinion from an objective third-party about the emerging technologies and or project(s).  That is great advice before any organization jumps into the deep end of the emerging technology application pool. We all know what that means, more pilot programs and projects coming into our offices and being laid on our desks. Given the current workloads, resource shortages and increased expectations with regard to accelerating the delivery pace, the existing demand and overload sure looks like it will continue to increase with little regard to PM workload.

Insight:  Douglas Rushkoff, American Journalist said, “When things begin accelerating wildly out of control, sometimes patience is the only answer. Press pause.”

The White House just announced several advisors on science and technology. It is important to pay close attention to the subject matter expertise of these advisors.  Interestingly enough, many of there expertise is covered here on this blog!

In addition, this is an important development when it comes to Quantum Computing and more common topics on this blog.  October 28, 2019 the White House announcement is said to signal a "Quantum Leap." Equally interesting is the calls out cryptocurrencies and blockchain as well as other technology subjects.

Check out the YouTube video at the link below. 

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1rW-6wXHGk

Do you have a digital assistant?  If not, are you planning on getting one for your home?  How about for your office?  If recent analysis is anywhere near correct, you will likely be interacting with one – like it or not very soon!  A presentation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) stated that in the UK and US by 2022, voice tech-driven purchases will grow to a $40 billion market.  Voice technology is the core of digital assistants and they are quickly invading our space.  Think about it.  It answers our questions, it tells us where we are, it plays music we request, it helps us make decisions, it tells us how to save money when we are ordering, it even suggest alternatives in our ordering and our routes and so much more.  A recent survey found that slightly over half of consumers said they trust it to shop for their food and over 40 percent said they are comfortable acting on the voice assistant’s recommendations. Question – How much private/sensitive data do you give these personal assistants versus how much do they acquire through monitoring and interacting?  Yes, they learn about you. Voice assistants are rapidly advancing.  Current models are becoming predictive rather than just reacting to your commands.  Advances that are currently evolving rapidly are able to detect overtones and inflections in your voice and become empathetic and more.  Now consider integrating voice tech into robots?  Just an interesting concept that is already here and growing rapidly.

INSIGHT:  Diane Ackerman, the American poet said, “Artificial intelligence is growing up fast, as are robots whose facial expressions can elicit empathy and make your mirror neurons quiver.”

What year do you believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become mainstream?

Please take my poll

https://www.projectmanagement.com/polls/585601/Please-answer-the-following-question--Artificial-Intelligence--AI--will-reach-the-mass-market-in-what-year-