Emerging Technologies

Human Augmentation (HA) is defined as a multidisciplinary field of science that is working to enhance human capabilities through advancements in medicine and technology. From exoskeletons to implants to bio-chemical composites, multiple avenues are being explored that increase many aspects of human performance. In 2017 the HA market totaled a mere $0.5 billion and next year (2020) the market is expected to hit $1.13 billion USD. Not bad for as early on as we are in this segment’s evolution. Projections put the 2022 market at $2.54 billion. That is just over doubling in two years.  Back in August 2019, Tokyo put up $1 billion in research grant(s) for human augmentation. That is a clear indicator of the evolution of human augmentation and the potential impact it will have on many of us. That being said, not everyone is sure about the path HA is on.

A substantial amount of effort is being applied to HA.  Organizations like the Human Augmentation Institute, the Human Augmentation Research Center and others behind the advancements in this multidisciplinary field support HA’s progression. It is important to note that some in the field are beginning to talk about human cognitive augmentation (a side-road of AI).  Basically, this works to enhance our sensing and mental capacity and capabilities. Still others are beginning to think about where this is heading and if this is good for mankind. Many are openly questioning the ethics surrounding HA and some saying this is a slippery slope. Finally, HA is now being put in the context of an emerging legal, ethical, moral and security issue worldwide.

INSIGHTS: Science Direct published this interesting article on Human Augmentation.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1071581919300576

Now this is quite interesting. No wonder this quantum technology course is popular. Quantum Computing - The business application side. "Quantum computing will be the smartphone of the 2020s, says Bank of America strategist"

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/quantum-computing-will-be-the-smartphone-of-the-2020s-says-bank-of-america-strategist-2019-12-12?fbclid=IwAR3wEVmfkbdjT9af9NmU2-o178wgHZhk35gIAsCYO1N1zIWuSmeS1uOCrdc 

Quantum technology is a very interesting subject.  Some say quantum is another technology revolution while others believe it is the umbrella industry with quantum computing being the largest segment.  Last year, Cision PR News Wire published a piece that estimated the quantum technology global market would grow to $13 billion by 2023.  Up from less than under $.5 billion a bit ago. At this point, quantum technology includes Computing, Communications, Imaging, Security, Sensing, Modeling and Simulation.  Since that analysis was done, quantum cryptology and quantum dots have evolved as has quantum metrology with more to come like quantum Internet. Given the current funding and research, these segments are likely to aggressively advance and more are likely to join in the not-so-distant future. 

Quantum technology (QT) like many emerging technologies, has left many falling behind who fail to invest a little time to gain a high-level understanding of what it is about, and a bit of time to assess its potential impact on their business model/operations. Instead, they either discount it or force fit it into their mental model(s) so not to disrupt their current efforts. This is clearly a part of resistance to change and will likely lead to the demise of the organization.

Analysis has begun to estimate the potential business value of multiple components under the umbrella of quantum technology.  The likelihood project managers will be faced with a quantum project in the near-future continues to get greater. Perhaps it is time to consider the PMI continuing education program on Quantum Technology - https://www.projectmanagement.com/videos/573047/Preparing-Project-Managers-for-Quantum-Technology-Projects

INSIGHT: Neil Turok, a South African Physicist said, “Quantum physics is one of the hardest things to understand intuitively, because essentially the whole point is that our classical picture is wrong.”

Ops!  You have to hate when that happens

Each and every day as of late, new and innovative use cases for emerging technologies are being developed by the innovative creators of the connected world of tomorrow. They are inventing the products and services that will have an impact on nearly every aspect of our daily lives.  With that said, properly leveraging emerging technologies is becoming just what is needed to achieve the success we seek and desire. Whether it is in our home and personal lives or the business and work environments that we spend an increasing percentage of our lives, we are continuously interacting with digital technology.

Whether at home, work or somewhere in between, the way we are engaging with each other has significantly change. This is also true in the way we engage our systems and pieces of emerging technologies like with Smart Homes, Smart Buildings, Smart Highways, Smart Vehicles and we should not forget intelligent systems that are currently in place today and smarter ones coming in the near-term. The digital/connected aspects of our lives have become so intertwined with what we had experienced in the past and with what had come to be known as the norm, has led many to now believe it is essential to keep up with emerging technologies and isolate one's self from time to time, just kicking back.

One of the more rapidly growing issues that has begun to face and increasing number of professionals is the digital change (both plus and minus) in the technological sophistication and digital interaction as they move from job to job.  It is unclear what is more challenging, moving from a technologically advanced organization to one that is technologically challenged or vice versa. Perhaps that is something we all had better consider when we think about changing jobs from now on.

Amazon just made a big announcement! They announced their "AWS Announces New Quantum Computing Service (Amazon Braket) along with AWS Center for Quantum Computing and AWS Quantum Solutions Lab"

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191202005783/en/AWS-Announces-New-Quantum-Computing-Service-Amazon