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7 tech trends to look out for in 2019

7 tech trends to look out for in 2019

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Technology has advanced at a break neck speed over the past year and with exciting innovation comes the need for reflection, pragmatism and perspective. Telenor Research identified seven tech trends to keep a look out for in 2019.1. Deepfake contentNext year will see more deepfake content due to the large amount of work going into algorithms called generative adversarial networks (GANs). Deepfake means deep learning meets fakes news (or doctored photos and videos), and GANs will enable the creation of deepfake content "so advanced" that consumers could have a difficult time differentiating between what's real and what's fake in the digital world.2. AI ethicsTelenor Research predicts that AI ethics would come under "more public scrutiny" next year, with public and private bodies forming AI governance frameworks and adopting new codes of conduct to ensure that they operate with high ethical standards. This will be done in order to ensure that AI systems are non-discriminatory, transparent, traceable and secure, and that there are always humans in the loop who are accountable for its design, development and adoption."Enabling this, we will also see new venues for AI dialogues happening at all levels of politics, new platforms for education and training in AI, as well as investments in tools and systems that enable ethical AI development," Telenor Research said.3. 5G islandsThis year saw pioneering uses of 5G, such as 5G drone coverage of the Winter Olympics in South Korea. Next year, 5G islands will emerge worldwide as large-scale pilots and trials, from Northeast Asia to Europe and North America. These islands will connect selected communities and business networks.While digitising societies has become a buzzword among operators, industry bodies and governments over the past few years, 2019 will be the first year when communities will experience what this actually means, Telenor Research said. Also, 2019 will see some of the first marketing campaigns based on 5G. From the first self-driving, 5G-steered buses to automated fisheries, from 5G-driven TV and fixed broadband to potential applications of 5G-powered remote surgery – the 5G floodgates will open in 2019, paving the way for commercial services to hit the market in 2020.4. Industrial Age 2.0Telenor Research predicts 2019 to be the year when industrial IoT customers crack the transition from proof-of-concepts to large scale commercial deployments in low-power wide-area (LPWA) ecosystems. It expects the LPWA ecosystem to blossom in 2019, enabling larger industrial applications which to date haven’t matured quickly.As the LPWA ecosystem matures and as developers have vetted much of its tech stack, industries are expected to roll out large scale IoT, particularly within the arenas of smart cities, industrial manufacturing and process industries, such as shipping, traffic and transport monitoring and fisheries. In short, IoT is going industrial in 2019.5. Voice-activated chatbotsVoice-activated chatbots are predicted to do better in 2019, mainly in household devices. While they might not be the most clever systems yet, more chatbots are expected to help consumers in homes. According to Telenor Research, 2019 will see a huge growth of voice-controlled chatbots, leading to smarter voice recognition applications. "It’s possible that by this time next year, domestic chatbots will be at the top of 2019’s holiday wish lists in many markets around the world," it added.6. Screen time to come under scrutinyAs the awareness of screen time and its effects on consumers become more widespread, consumers are expected to increasingly use screen time tracking apps, night time and do-not-disturb modes on phones. As such, developments in the marketplace as a result of increased screen time awareness and discipline will snowball in 2019."Beyond new apps and software, we could see more stringent limits on screen time in various social and professional settings. Mobile-free meals with family and friends, and mobile-free meetings are certainly becoming more common," Telenor Research said.Consumers who are concerned with their own personal screen time but do not wish to disconnect altogether could opt for simpler connectivity, such as wearables and other small connected devices.7. Greentech rises in popularityA virtuous cycle in green consumption, awareness and green tech development will take shape in 2019, given a boost in large part by mobile technology. As climate change worries and awareness of consumption both skyrocket in society, a wave of mobile-driven green technology will help people live and consume more smartly than ever.Bjørn Taale Sandberg, head of Telenor Research, said the world of technology is constantly on the go. "We think that the tech pendulum is swinging in that direction in 2019. People are taking a step back and assessing 'What do these deeper developments in technology and connectivity mean to me, to my family, my community?’” he said.“In the end, we all want the assurance that technology – no matter how many steps ahead of us it might seem – can fit into our lives safely, sensibly and positively,” he added.(Photo courtesy: 123RF)

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