Dive Brief:
- Artificial intelligence, 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) top the list of emerging technologies that can deliver "near-term business impact" in the enterprise, according to a list compiled by a subcommittee of CompTIA's Emerging Technology Community group.
- The same trio of technologies crowned the list's 2019 edition, though in a different order: IoT came in first, followed by AI and 5G. Quantum computing and natural language processing were new to the top-10 this year.
- AI is "probably going to have the most short-term impact" since it will become part of software systems and power process automation, said John Rice, president of Think Channel, LLC and member of the CompTIA Emerging Technology Community Executive Council, in a press release.
Dive Insight:
In uncertain times, leaders across the world are looking to the tech side of their C-suite for reassurance.
Companies can rely on technology to push past economic turmoil, plugging automation to make up for operational disruptions and finding new areas for efficiency. Four in 10 manufacturers are concerned about the effects the pandemic can mean for their workforce, with automation stepping in to play a role in the recovery, our sister site Supply Chain Dive reports.
Top 10 emerging technologies for 2020
| 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|
| 1. Artificial intelligence | 1. Internet of Things |
| 2. 5G | 2. Artificial intelligence |
| 3. Internet of Things | 3. 5G |
| 4. Serverless computing | 4. Serverless computing |
| 5. Biometrics | 5. Blockchain |
| 6. Augmented reality / Virtual reality | 6. Robotics |
| 7. Blockchain | 7. Biometrics |
| 8. Robotics | 8. 3D printing |
| 9. Natural language processing | 9. Virtual reality / Augmented reality |
| 10. Quantum computing | 10. Drones |
SOURCE: CompTIA Emerging Technology Community.
As businesses find new ways of operating, AI can help retool processes in a reimagined business context, which helps explain its rise in this year's rundown.
Across industries, leaders expect AI to reduce costs and boost profits. The early and efficient application of the technology can determine winners and losers within industry sectors, though access to talent and budget constrains pose challenges to deployment.
Though Gartner predicts IT spend will fall by 8% in 2020, the analyst firm also expects interest to increase in digital business ecosystems and automation, which includes AI and robotic process automation.
The addition of natural language processing shows an interest for the technology's potential to interface with the public as the use of chatbots — externally and internally — expands.
