Artificial intelligence isn’t new, but only a few years ago, in the eyes of many, it was mostly fodder for sci-fi movies—not the practical, game-changing tool it’s become for companies and consumers. Similarly, experts say there are several technologies that, while currently limited in scope and/or widespread adoption, are poised to make big breakthroughs in the near future.
Businesses, professionals and consumers can benefit from getting a sneak peak at the tech tools and trends that may not be making major waves today (at least among the general public), but could create a big splash soon. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council discuss some of the new—and not so new—developments that may soon usher in fresh ways for all of us to live, work and play.
1. Low-Code And No-Code Platforms
Other than the disruption that AI is bringing to every industry, one trend to watch out for will be a shift toward citizen development using low-code and no-code platforms. Business users will be empowered with tools at their fingertips to manage their digital processes independently of IT. This is already happening today, but it will become the norm for tomorrow’s business. – Abhi Shimpi, Fidelity Investments
2. The Metaverse
The metaverse could play a major role in redefining customer engagement, social interactions, entertainment, education and wellness. Companies are already experimenting with virtual storefronts, digital real estate and immersive experiences, paving the way for entirely new ways to connect and interact. – Koushik Sundar, Citibank
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3. Self-Healing Energy Grids
Preparing for more extreme weather events and the power outages they cause is one of the greatest challenges utilities have ever faced. Fully embracing innovative solutions like resilient self-healing grids is vital. The ability to autonomously detect issues, reroute power and fix outages in milliseconds will not only improve reliability, but will also help mitigate the growing effects of climate change. – Dr. Shay Bahramirad, PG&E
4. Living Manufacturing
Living manufacturing is cutting-edge technology that will continue to emerge as a viable solution for shipping, building and packaging materials. Bacteria, mushrooms and other living organisms will be our new sustainable material options. – Alexander Kwapis, FusionPKG, an Aptar Beauty Company
5. The Circular Economy
One emerging trend is managing corporate technology using the principles of the circular economy. This approach allows businesses to continue providing their employees with the right tech tools to do their best work while supporting a secondary market of low-cost, high-quality refurbished technology. – Carmen Ene, BNP Paribas 3 Step IT
6. AR Smart Glasses
The new augmented reality smart glasses, such as those from Meta, seem to be impressive. It looks as though the smartphone won’t always be how we access our technology. My prediction is that smart glasses won’t replace smartphones (just as smartphones didn’t replace computers) but will be another device we all have. The real challenge is going to be making these wearable devices small and discreet enough to wear all day. – Mark Johnson, Michigan Software Labs
7. The IoT
I have been very keen on the impact the Internet of Things will have on life in the coming years. We have been seeing robotic automation in both home and industrial spaces. As the cost of hardware keeps coming down, the infusion of AI with “robots” will help automate processes in both the consumer and industrial spaces. – Viren Gupta, Box
8. Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a technology with the potential to revolutionize industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance and more. With exponential speed, quantum computers are ideal for solving complex problems. They enable the optimization and simulation of systems like logistics, financial portfolios and composite designs, and through cryptography, they could also help create unbreakable encryption methods. – Naresh Mehta, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.
9. Implantable Microchips
I believe (and hope) that implantable microchips for continuous health monitoring will soon make headlines. These devices collect vast amounts of health data in real time, offering immediate insights into our well-being. They can predict illnesses before symptoms appear. This will also help athletes break most of the Olympic and world records. I can’t wait. – Max Dinman, RichBrains
10. Personalized Health Platforms
An emerging technology to watch is AI-driven personalized health platforms. These systems utilize artificial intelligence to offer customized wellness advice by analyzing personal data such as genetic information or daily activities. This personalized guidance can include recommendations on diet, exercise or mental health strategies, all adapted to one’s unique body and lifestyle. – Morgan Shuler, CocheVia
11. Blockchain
Blockchain is one of the most significant innovative technologies out there. It’s set to revolutionize how we manage data, conduct transactions and build trust across industries. Its decentralized nature brings transparency, security and efficiency, making it a game changer in sectors like finance, healthcare, the supply chain and even governance—it will ultimately reshape business. – Edul Patel, Mudrex
12. GenAI-Powered Healthcare Admin
Generative AI is set to transform administrative functions for healthcare payers. Beyond chatbots, it can streamline claims management, improve patient outcomes, break down data silos and personalize member experiences. By analyzing extensive claims and patient data, it reduces costs and enhances data integrity. Additionally, automation in contract management can help ensure compliance. – Amit Garg, HiLabs
13. GenUI
By 2025, interest in GenAI may wane due to skepticism about companies adding poorly integrated chatbots as quick fixes. However, innovations like GenUI will enhance GenAI’s integration into our daily lives. GenUI uses GenAI to create personalized interfaces, offering users a customized experience that aligns with their specific goals, making the technology more effective and sustainable. – Dustin Johnson, Seeq
14. Auracast
Bluetooth devices are beginning to roll out that support Auracast, a new standard that allows broadcasting of audio over Bluetooth. Being able to tap into specific audio streams using our smart devices could change how we listen to announcements in public areas, individual TVs at the gym or bar and even our TVs at home. If adopted widely, it will change audio accessibility for everyone! – Luke Wallace, Bottle Rocket
15. Quantum Machine Learning
Quantum machine learning combines quantum computing’s processing power with advanced machine learning. It can revolutionize industries directly impacting us, such as drug discovery, agriculture, financial modeling and optimization. It enables faster, more accurate data analysis, offering solutions to problems classical algorithms struggle with. – Amitkumar Shrivastava, Fujitsu
16. LEO Satellite Networks
One fast-developing area is making low Earth orbit satellite networks for broadband communications economically feasible. As increasingly powerful onboard processors continue improving LEO networks’ efficiency, future LEO satellite networks could eventually enable data centers in the sky, bringing cloud-based apps close to every customer worldwide. – Glenn Katz, Telesat
17. Multimodal Personal Agents
Real-time, contextually aware, multimodal agents will be the “always on” companions that people will depend on in their personal and professional lives, just like the ubiquitous cellphone today. These agents will know everything about their users and their lives, including what they see and hear, and provide real-time, pertinent information across any context. – Miles Ward, SADA, An Insight company
18. AI-Driven Diagnostics
AI-driven diagnostic tools are transforming healthcare by providing rapid, accurate analysis of medical data, thereby reducing diagnosis time and errors. Leveraging AI tools to analyze vast datasets and identify patterns that might elude human expertise will enhance patient outcomes and streamline patient care. AI is poised to become a dominant force in healthcare. – Chris Bowen, ClearDATA
19. Solid-State Batteries
One technology that might soon make headlines is solid-state batteries. They have higher energy density, are safer and charge faster compared to current batteries. This could revolutionize electric vehicles, from cars to drones and air taxis, as well as consumer electronics. Solid-state batteries can accelerate the green shift by enabling more sustainable transportation. – Øyvind Forsbak, Orient Software Development Corp.
20. AI Copilots
AI copilots, like those integrated into software development, productivity tools or even creative platforms, are set to dominate headlines soon. These copilots enhance human abilities by automating routine tasks, offering real-time insights and making data-driven suggestions. – David Marley, Comply Exchange
