2022 was surely a monumental year in the world of tech. While the tech industry like others is still recovering from the grappling hooks of the pandemic, it did manage to make major headlines besides the negative ones. As the year comes to a close, we wanted to look back at all the technological advancements and trends that made it mainstream in 2022. So without any further ado, let’s jump right in –
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
It was only in November that we dedicated an entire edition to the emerging technology of artificial intelligence with our ‘AI Special’ The technology took a front foot in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 20% till 2029. There were many ways AI took over the world with its most prominent example being the healthcare industry during the times of COVID. AI’s demand in the healthcare space increased exponentially due to its models and tools capable of improving healthcare analytics and prediction tools. On the other hand, big companies are now using a big chunk of their commuting power to provide enhanced AI capabilities to the changing world.
As per Forbes, the biggest trend in the world of AI in 2022 was ‘machine vision’ where computers can now see and recognize objects in a video or photograph with much ease. Expect your ‘Are You a Human’ tests on the internet to get a little bit difficult as machines are now catching up quickly! Language processing was another big advancement in the field of AI where machines can now understand our voice, lingo, and accents much better and speak back to us. Another big trend in the field of AI was ‘AI Art’ which quickly became a rage on the internet and sparked a conversation amongst the artist community. Whether AI Art can be considered genuine art is a debate still ongoing.
Cyber Security
The world is becoming increasingly digital and with that cybersecurity will only become more and more prominent. Businesses and individuals both need to protect themselves from major cyber attacks. If the software on your mobile or computer device is compromised it could lead to great catastrophes like the leak of personal data and banking details. As of 2022, most of my data is stored on a cloud drive similar to a lot of people today. We like to have the convenience of being able to store data on the cloud and not on physical drives to preserve storage but it’s a double-edged sword as cloud drives could get struck by a cyber-attack anytime. 2022 saw an increase in public awareness about the topic of cyber security with an increased number of people using VPNs and other services to ensure their data is secured on the internet. Pro tip – Do use a VPN while surfing on the internet as you never know which site leads to a cyber attack!
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
2022 saw a surge in interest in VR and AR technologies thanks to the metaverse boom. Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg has kept his stand solid on the metaverse being the next big thing in the world of tech even though current numbers paint a different picture. This year, we saw the launch of the Meta Quest Pro which is priced at a whopping $1,499. However, the VR headset has introduced the concept of mixed reality which looks like the perfect way ahead in the world of VR. Thanks to mixed reality technology, users can experience high-resolution engagement with the virtual world while maintaining a presence in the real world in high definition. A truly immersive and remake upgrade to the experience of VR was brought upon by Meta which can only be expected to be the gold standard of VR/AR in the near future. Do you expect to attend your work meetings via a VR headset as early as 2023? It doesn’t look like a stretch thanks to the advancements in VR technology.
5G Connectivity
2022 was the year India stepped into the 5G game with all guns blazing. Though it was in the last quarter of 2022, I am glad now I can surf the internet at lightning speeds on a cellular network thanks to 5G making its way to India. The fifth-generation wireless is currently the most advanced mobile broadband technology that already has giants like Samsung, Apple, Qualcomm, and other mobile network providers working on their toes to deploy the technology at a faster rate. It is reported that approximately 4 billion 5G subscriptions will be active around the world by 2025. 5G has the potential to change the way people perceive cellular networks and turn to them for their primary data needs. While 5G is still finding its footing in a country like India, 6G is already on the horizon which directly translates to more power in our mobile devices, cars, and wearables!
Quantum Computing
No, we certainly are not at the stage where we can travel through the ‘Quantum Realm’ and make big changes to the fate of the universe. That is only reserved for the fascinating world of Marvel films. However, the trend of quantum computing surely took over the world in 2022. So what actually is quantum computing? In simple terms, it is the processing of information that is represented by special quantum states that enable machines to handle data in a much different way from the traditional ways. Quantum computing has the potential to give humanity computing power that is a trillion times faster than what we’ve got today’s advanced supercomputers. Having such fast computing speeds allows humanity to unlock a different era of technological advancement. It could change the way we approach aspects like drug innovation, space exploration, and much more.