The increasing pace of change and progress may be directly attributed to the exponential growth of contemporary technology. But this year has witnessed more than just trends and growing technology; the COVID-19 outbreak has made IT personnel realize that their role will alter in tomorrow’s contactless world. Moreover, a professional in the field of information technology in 2022–2023 will be constantly learning, unlearning, and relearning (out of necessity if not desire).
And what does this mean for you specifically? For this reason, it’s essential to follow the latest technology trends. To learn these skills and get a job tomorrow, you must anticipate what you need to know. Most of the world’s IT staff has given in to the worldwide pandemic and are now telecommuting from the comfort of their own homes. Here are the top emerging technology trends to watch in 2022 and try out if you want to make the most of your free time and position yourself to succeed in the competitive work market.
1. Computing Power
The prominence of computing power in the digital age is well-established; nowadays, almost every appliance and tool is electronic. And it’s only going to get better from here, as forecasts from data scientists indicate that the current state of the art in computing infrastructure will only improve in the years to come. However, 5G is here; be ready for the 6G era, when your smartphone and every other electronic gadget you own will be supercharged. Better still, increased processing power is creating more tech sector opportunities. However, doing so successfully would need people to have specific skills. The majority of future jobs in every nation will be in this sector, which encompasses data science, robots, and IT management. The greater the amount of processing power that our gadgets need, the more demand there will be for service providers such as IT departments, relationship managers, and the customer service industry as a whole.
Robotic process automation (RPA) is a crucial subfield within this science that may be studied in detail nowadays. Following are the highly recommendedcareers:
• Data Scientist
• AI Engineer
• Robotics Researcher
• AI Architect
• Robotics Designer
2. Smarter Devices
The development of AI has been crucial to the improvement of human life. It’s not content with only mimicking human behaviour; instead, it goes above and above to ease and streamline our daily routines. Data scientists are hard at work developing artificial intelligence (AI) household robots, appliances, work gadgets, wearables, and much more, so we should expect to see these more competent things around for a long time. Smart software solutions are needed in almost every industry to make our working lives more bearable. Smarter gadgets are becoming a vital part of the IT sector as more businesses move towards digital environments. Good knowledge of computers and other forms of automation is now a prerequisite for almost any managerial position. Some of the most promising fields of employment are listed below:
• IT Manager
• Data Scientists
• Product Testers
• Product Managers
• Automation Engineers
• IT Researchers
3. Datafication
A simple definition of “datafication” is the process of converting every aspect of our lives into digital tools and applications driven by data. Datafication is the process through which routine human activities are adapted for use by data-driven machines. There will be data for as long as we can remember, embedded in everything from our cellphones and industrial machinery to our office software and artificial intelligence-powered gadgets. Therefore, it has become a highly sought-after area of expertise in our economy to ensure that our data is maintained correctly and safely.
As a result of datafication, there will be a greater need for people with expertise in information technology, data science, engineering, technology, management, and a wide range of related fields. Moreover, anybody with a solid understanding of technology may get employment in this field by completing a certification in a data-related speciality. Jobs in the data industry increasingly need specific talents rather than extensive experience, and many industry leaders are coming from less populous areas and developing nations like India. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most in-demand jobs in the data industry:
• Big Data Engineers
• Robotics Engineers
• IT Architect
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Data Scientists
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
Though AI has garnered a lot of attention over the last decade, it remains one of the hottest emerging technologies because of its profound impact on our daily lives. Image and voice recognition, smartphone personal assistants, navigation apps, ride-sharing services, and many more applications have significantly benefited from using artificial intelligence.
Apart from that, AI will be used to analyze interactions to determine underlying connections and insights, to help predict demand for services like hospitals allowing authorities to make better decisions about resource utilization, and detect the changing patterns of customer behaviour by analyzing data in near real-time, driving revenues and enhancing personalized experiences.
By 2022, worldwide investment in cognitive and AI systems is expected to have surpassed $57 billion, and the AI sector as a whole is expected to be worth $190 billion by 2025. As AI gains traction in more and more industries, it will provide a slew of new opportunities in a variety of fields, including software engineering, data science, support, and management. However, incomes in the area of artificial intelligence are some of the highest currently available, ranging from over $1,250,000 per year (machine learning engineer) to $145,000 per year (AI architect).
Machine learning, a subset of AI, is being used in every sector of the economy, which has resulted in a significant increase in demand for qualified workers. By 2025, Forrester projects that artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation will account for 9 percent of all new U.S. job creation, with corresponding increases in the need for robot monitors, ML/AI developers, automation experts, and content curators.
Mastering AI and machine learning will help you secure jobs like:
• AI Research Scientist
• AI Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineer
• AI Architect
5. Extended Reality
Virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and other technology that attempts to replicate the actual world are all included under the umbrella term “extended reality.” We’re all itching to escape the supposedly fixed confines of our planet, so it’s no surprise that this technological development is particularly timely. This technology is widely used in gaming, medicine, shopping, and modelling since it simulates such experiences without the need for a physical presence.
Regarding extended reality, the gaming industry is a vital sector for in-demand occupations that don’t have advanced education but require an avid interest in playing video games online. If you want to make a living in this field, you may study game design, animation, or even editing software. While waiting, take a look at some of the top openings in AR, VR, and ER:
• Extended Reality Architect
• Front Lead Engineer
• Software Developer
• AR/VR Support Engineers
• Game Designers
• Pro Gamers
• Creative Directors
6. Digital Trust
People’s trust and faith in digital technology have grown as they are more exposed to and entangled with these tools. That we can trust our digital devices is a significant development that will spur more innovation. People who have digital conviction have faith that technology can make the digital world safe, secure, and trustworthy, allowing businesses to explore and innovate without fear of losing customers’ trust.
Cybersecurity and ethical hacking are two of the most popular areas of study aimed at making the Internet safer for all users. You may find a wide variety of entry-level to upper-level positions in these two. If you want to work in ethical hacking, you may need to get professional qualifications. Still, in cybersecurity, a bachelor’s degree or perhaps a master’s will get you the job you want. Following are some of the best-paying positions in the field of cybersecurity and ethical hacking:
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Penetration Tester
• Security Engineer
• Security Architect
• Security Automation Engineer
• Network Security Analyst
7. 3D Printing
3D printing, used to create prototypes, is a significant development in technology and innovation. The biomedical and manufacturing industries have significantly benefited from this technology. Even if the possibility of printing a physical thing from a printer did not occur to any of us until recently, it is now a reality. In this sense, 3D printing might be considered another breakthrough that will endure. Companies in the information technology and healthcare industries have a high demand for 3D printing services, creating a wide range of well-paying and globally mobile career opportunities. You must be proficient in artificial intelligence, ML, modelling, and 3D printing. Let’s take a look at some of the top careers in this field:
• CX Program Manager
• 3D Printer Engineer
• Emulation Prototyping Engineer
• Robotics Trainer
• AI Engineer
• Operations Manager
• Organ & Prosthetic Designer