Ranked: The top 10 emerging technologies in 2020
CompTIA has unveiled its annual list of emerging technologies ranked by the ability to generate new business and revenues – and artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G are at the top of the pack.
The Emerging Technology Community of CompTIA says solutions built around these two technologies will have the largest impact on companies involved in the business of technology.
"Our ranking represents a consensus viewpoint that emerged after some spirited debate and discussion with the community," says CompTIA Emerging Technology Community chair and Microsoft director of partner incentive strategy Michael Haines.
"We're not proposing that every solution provider and channel partner needs to immediately add these technologies to their menu of products and services.
"But these innovations will have a sweeping impact on the business of technology. Companies need to prepare now for the sea-changes ahead.
Here are the top 10 emerging technologies of 2020 according to CompTIA's Emerging Technology Community:- Artificial intelligence
- 5G
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Serverless computing
- Biometrics
- Augmented reality/virtual reality
- Blockchain
- Robotics
- Natural language processing
- Quantum computing
The top two both moved up one spot from 2019's list. This has subsequently displaced IoT, which has slid down to third this year after taking the top spot in 2019.
"Both technologies [AI and 5G] will have an enormous impact over the next few years and both will drive the technology revolution," says CompTIA Emerging Technology Community Executive Council member and Think Channel president John Rice.
"Of the two, AI is probably going to have the most short-term impact as it becomes embedded in almost every software system and is used in process automation to make increasingly smarter systems.
"5G's effect will take a little longer to be seen, but will be no less impactful, providing the increased speed and decreased latency to give other technologies the foundation they need to reach their potential.
Augmented and virtual reality and biometrics also moved up on the 2020 list, while blockchain and robotics slipped a few positions.
Added to 2020's list were newcomers natural language processing and quantum computing, while drones and 3D printing, present on last year's list, were not included this year.
CompTIA is one of many organisations reporting on the prominence of AI in the realm of technology. Yesterday, new research from GlobalData revealed the significance of the technology especially in the APAC region, which it claims will become the 'epicentre' of global AI development.
"The APAC region is expected to emerge as a major market for AI-led initiatives, since most countries in the region are establishing committees or task forces for creating national AI strategies, which have either been launched or are on the course of being launched in next few years," says GlobalData lead ICT analyst Sunil Kumar Verma.
"The need for digital governance and collaborative approach with the technology companies would further facilitate in the scaling up of enterprises and government priorities in the AI industry chain."
