By Jean-Jacques DeLisle, contributing writer

The exponential acceleration of technological advancements in the recent past is extraordinary and even a little unbelievable. Every new year seems to usher in a new era of tech. 2014 boasted of microscale 3D-printing machines, the Oculus Rift VR, and agile robots and drones; 2015 heralded the dawn of innovative tech with wireless pay with mobile devices like Apple iPay, nano-architecture, and car-to-car communication. 2016 and 2017 brought IoT, sodium-ion batteries, AI advancements such as Sophia, and much more. Although it may be difficult to predict, we at Electronics Products are sure that the tech era of 2018 will be more than intriguing. Here are some of the tech trends that should be watched closely in the upcoming year.

It’s possible that half of all jobs could be replaced with AI in the next decade. Image source: Pixbabay.

Artificial intelligence

2017 saw the rise of the demand for more practical applications of AI in nearly every corner of industry around the globe. Top tech giants like IBM, Google, and Microsoft have been working tirelessly to perfect the art of automation, thus eliminating the factor of human error. Companies like Fujifilm and Amazon plan to utilize AI for mostly digital data services, enhancing pre-existing systems. Former president of Google China, Kai-Fu Lee, who is now chairman and CEO of Sinovation Ventures, said that about half of all jobs will vanish over the next decade and be replaced with AI. Considering if Kai-fu Lee’s predictions may hold some form of precedence, it would be fascinating to watch the rise of AI advancements in 2018.

Virtual reality/augmented reality

As technology becomes more and more integrated into our lives, we can expect to see augmented and virtual reality more and more often. The applications for VR and AR are widespread, spanning from new, more immersive video games to training fighter pilots and everything in between. In 2018, we can expect to see more and more uses for this emerging technology. Heads-up displays could give the wearer detailed information about their environment or allow users to access the internet or connect to any device not only wirelessly but hands-free. In 2017, the immensely popular game Pokémon Go swept the world into a frenzy with its augmented reality and broke gaming records on all fronts. It generated over $30 billion in revenue for 2016 alone. 2018 can expect to see similar advances in virtual and augmented reality as other companies will try to recreate the massive success that Pokémon Go had.

Blockchain/cryptocurrency

You can’t make a list about trends without mentioning the biggest trend of them all: cryptocurrency. Everyone is talking about it — how exactly it works and what it is — and it still remains a mystery to many. Not only is it a hard topic to understand, but it also has the added bonus of being nearly impossible to get out of once you get in. Sure, you can buy bitcoins all you want, but who exactly can you sell it to? Why is this illusive new form of currency all the rage, you might ask? The answer is simple: It’s worth a lot of money. Throughout 2017, bitcoin, the leading form of cryptocurrency, has multiplied in value more than a hundredfold. If we can expect to see this trend continue into 2018, then cryptocurrency is definitely something to look out for.

Bitcoin is the leading form of cryptocurrency. Image source: Pixabay.

Energy storage

With green energy making substantial waves in the world energy landscape, the concept of energy storage will be more important than ever as we approach the new year. The boom in technological improvements of green energy production will require massive amounts of energy storage in order for it to continue its growth and compete with fossil fuels. New ways to store or use energy are being developed by a multitude of startups and companies such as Tiamat, whose sodium-ion batteries could place it at the front line of the energy storage arms race. With sodium being a far more abundant chemical and capable of charging and storing energy at close to 10-times-quicker rates than lithium, its prominence in the future is assured. No one knows exactly what the energy production landscape of 2018 will be, but we can safely assume that the need to store that energy will continue to expand.

Digital/cloud services

Digital data is a huge part of our lives now, and in 2018, we can expect to see more and more of our data being stored in cloud services such as iCloud and Google Drive. The amount of data that you can store is now no longer limited to memory contained in your device or the amount of hardware that you have. Just having an internet connection and an email address allows you to access all of your cloud-saved information whenever you might need it. And even if you manage to load up the space that these companies provide for free, they offer additional terabytes of storage for a low cost. Entities and businesses that require large portions of data storage use cloud services like these frequently, so keep your eyes on this technology for 2018 because it is sure to evolve.

There’s an app for that! Image source: Pixabay.

Apps

Apps, apps, apps! Everywhere you look, there is an app. Need a ride? There’s an app for that. Lost your keys? App. Taco Bell delivery food? There’s an app for that, too. No matter what problem you may have, there is a good chance that there will be an app to assist you. In 2018, we can expect to see more integration between physical services and phone apps. Just look at the success of Uber and Lyft. Most businesses have apps so that it’s easier for consumers to purchase products.

We think that these six tech trends merit extra attention during 2018, but let us know what trends you think we should be watching as well. We’ll also be keeping our eyes out for others. If the past has taught us anything about technology’s evolution, it’s that there are surprises always lurking around the next corner.