Lately, artificial intelligence (AI) has been taking center stage in discussions about technological innovation. This has made it easy to overlook the myriad of other emerging technologies that are quietly reshaping the way businesses operate. While AI continues to revolutionize industries with its data-driven insights and automation capabilities, there are other waves of technological advancements that demand our attention.
Below, 13 Forbes Business Council members dive into the technological horizon beyond AI, exploring the exciting developments that corporations of all stripes should be closely monitoring to stay competitive and future-ready.
1. Quantum Computing, Space And Clean Energy
AI is the tip of the iceberg for the next century’s progress. As investors, we get to see what is inevitable in the future. Much like Moore’s Law for classical computing, quantum qubits are starting their inevitable rise to disrupt computation. Much like the jet age of the 20th century, we’re entering a new space era. Much like the oil boom, a clean fuel and energy rush is only just beginning. – Joseph Ros, Entrepreneur First
2. Remote-Operated Drones And Robots
Remote-operated drones and robots are starting to emerge. Currently, a Japanese coffee shop has operators with disabilities who use robots to serve customers miles away. This technology could be repurposed, enabling global remote workforces, increasing workforce diversity beyond the limits of who immigrates into a country and reshaping what we mean by the “available workforce pool.” – Joseph Santana, Joseph Santana, LLC
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3. Mood-Responsive Architecture
One emerging technology is mood-responsive architecture. These environments combine sensory tech and adaptable materials. Imagine entering a setting where walls change color based on your mood or an office that adjusts to people’s emotions to boost comfort and productivity. As companies strive for holistic workplaces, emotional well-being may be the next big thing. – Arvin Khamseh, SoldOut NFTs
4. Live Online Shopping
Customers are using live shopping features online. Consumers want to be able to ask questions and receive a response before making a purchase. TikTok Shop is already exploding, and I anticipate that other social media platforms will start rolling out a similar feature with their own twist. – Kelley Higney, Bug Bite Thing
5. Augmented Reality And Virtual Reality
Augmented reality and virtual reality are the next generation. As we all know, the biggest companies in tech are investing in this technology and are trying to make it a tool that can be used in our daily lives. – Saeed Jaberi, Jaberi Lawyer
6. Customer Intelligence Platforms
I believe businesses should closely monitor the rise of customer intelligence platforms. This technology offers deep insights into customer behaviors and preferences, allowing companies to tailor their strategies for increased engagement and loyalty. In today’s competitive landscape, understanding your customer on a granular level is paramount to success. – Lee Blakemore, Introhive
7. Energy-Efficient Technology
Energy-efficient technologies are becoming increasingly crucial in the real estate and property management sectors. Smart building systems, such as IoT-enabled sensors for energy management and predictive maintenance, are gaining traction. Embracing these technologies reduces environmental impact, reduces costs and boosts tenant approval, making them a valuable consideration for industry players. – Johan Hajji, UpperKey
8. Open Source Intelligence
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) is an underrated yet vital field. At its core, it’s all about deciphering human behaviors and backgrounds in our daily business lives. With the rapid advancement of OSINT software, gaining insights from openly available sources has never been more crucial or accessible. It’s a pivotal tool in today’s digital age. – Jochen Schwenk, Crisis Control Solutions LLC / Schwenk AG
9. NFTs
Apart from AI, the fashion and retail industries should watch non-fungible tokens or NFTs. NFTs have revolutionized digital asset interaction with unique ownership, provenance verification and creative branding potential. By incorporating NFTs, fashion and retail companies can explore innovative ways to engage customers, offer limited-edition digital products and establish new revenue streams while also enhancing the overall customer experience. – Neena Pandey, The String Code and Indie Roots
10. Robotic Process Automation
Digital transformation includes a variety of technologies that are evolving. Robotic process automation (RPA) creates software bots that handle manual, repetitive and data-intensive tasks that people don’t really want to do and do it faster with fewer errors. It frees workers from “grunt work,” allows them to elevate their skills and contributions for greater fulfillment and company profits. It’s a win-win. – Jerry Cahn, Age Brilliantly
11. Full Homomorphic Encryption
Fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) is an emerging technology businesses should monitor. FHE allows computations on encrypted data without needing to decrypt it first. This means information remains secure, even during analysis or processing. With increasing concerns over data privacy, FHE offers a potential revolution in how businesses handle and compute data, ensuring confidentiality. – Jeremy Bradley-Silverio Donato, Zama
12. Blockchain
Blockchain technology is quickly gaining popularity. Created for cryptocurrency transactions, its secure and transparent nature has the potential to revolutionize industries like real estate, finance and supply chain management. With substantial investments in blockchain development, it’s evident that this technology is here to stay and should be a priority for businesses aiming to stay ahead. – Michael Shribman, APS Global Partners Inc.
13. Cloud Computing
Small businesses should contemplate embracing cloud computing, an advancing technology offering a versatile and expandable infrastructure tailored to evolving requirements. This technology empowers small enterprises to store, oversee and retrieve data from any global location, facilitating remote work and collaborative endeavors. – Mark Snell, Polestar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning
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