The pace of technological innovation continues to accelerate, bringing exciting new developments across industries. As we head into 2023, a range of emerging technologies look set to achieve widespread adoption or become more refined and useful.
Here are 18 of the top new technology trends that will shape the coming year and beyond.
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In 2023, AI will continue to progress quickly. AI will be used by more businesses to automate decision-making and commercial operations. Virtual customer care agents and chatbots are becoming increasingly sophisticated and realistic AI helpers. AI has the potential to advance telemedicine and diagnostics in the healthcare industry. The issues of racism, privacy, and job automation still exist, however. There will be more regulatory control of AI safety and ethics.
2. Extended Reality (XR)
Virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality are examples of extended reality technologies that are expanding beyond entertainment and games. Applications for XR are becoming more prevalent in industries including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail. XR could become widely used when headsets get more affordable and sleeker and 5G eliminates latency problems. Cooperative XR remote workspaces and “digital twin” simulations of physical systems are important developments.
3. Quantum Computing
Although we may be years away from having universal quantum computers, quantum computing is developing. Expanded access to quantum computers through cloud services is expected around 2023, according to researchers. Supply chain optimization, mimicking chemical interactions, and improving machine learning are examples of potential quantum use applications. Sensing, cryptography, and quantum networking are other interesting fields. But there is still a need for quantum expertise.
4. Robotics and Automation
The workforce and workplaces will change as a result of robots and automation advancements. In the industrial, warehousing, and supply chain industries, robots are performing increasingly sophisticated duties. New service robots may clean premises or deliver products and meals. Digital repetitive activities are handled by robotic process automation (RPA). However, governments must balance productivity increases against employment losses.
5. Blockchain Technology
Beyond cryptocurrency, blockchain will gain popularity in 2023. Blockchain is being embraced by sectors including retail, healthcare, and finance for supply chain monitoring, medical record management, payments, and smart contracts. Digital currencies issued by central banks (CBDCs) could also appear. Concerns about scalability and energy use still exist. Integration with IoT, AI, and 5G might hasten the adoption of blockchain by the general public.
6. 5G and Advanced Connectivity
The worldwide deployment of 5G will continue in 2023, providing very high data rates and low latency connection for innovations like virtual reality (VR), driverless cars, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The effect of 5G will increase as more gadgets use it. New connection innovations like Wi-Fi 6E, brand-new mega-constellations of satellites, and mesh networks will support 5G in the meanwhile.
7. Connected Vehicles and Autonomous Driving
Vehicles are getting smarter and more autonomous. Driver assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist are becoming standard. EV makers are enabling over-the-air software updates. Testing continues on fully autonomous vehicles, while commercialization timelines remain uncertain. 5G enables connected cars to share data. Autonomous last-mile delivery robots are growing too.
8. Digital Twins
Digital twin technology uses data, sensors, and models to mirror physical systems in a virtual, real-time simulation. Digital twins optimize systems like wind farms, factories, and cities. As IoT, AI, and 5G converge, digital twins will become more sophisticated and widespread across sectors like manufacturing, energy, and healthcare in 2023. Startups and cloud platforms lead this space.
9. Cloud Computing
Cloud adoption is accelerating as companies seek flexible, scalable computing resources and storage without maintaining private data centers. New serverless computing options reduce costs and complexity further. Meanwhile, the emergence of multi-cloud strategies drives growth as firms avoid vendor lock-in. As cloud powers more IT, security and carbon footprint concerns will grow.
10. Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
As cyber threats get more severe and sophisticated, IT leaders are prioritizing modern security solutions, zero-trust models, cyber resiliency, and data privacy. Automated cyberattack detection and response powered by AI and machine learning (ML) is on the rise. Cybersecurity mesh architectures integrate security across cloud and edge devices. Data regulations like the EU’s DMA also take effect in 2023.
11. Sustainability Technology
Technology has a key role to play in building sustainable, net-zero societies. Energy tech like renewables, battery storage, hydrogen, and carbon capture will be critical. IoT sensors enable monitoring of emissions, energy, and waste across supply chains. AI and ML inform emission-reduction strategies and renewable energy use. Expect more climate-focused tech investments and startups.
12. Smart Cities
Urban centers continue getting smarter in 2023 through IoT, AI, 5G, and Big Data. Smart city tech manages traffic, public transit, energy, water, waste removal, public safety, pollution, and more. Investment in smart city startups and platforms is increasing as urbanization accelerates. But smart cities raise privacy and security issues that must be addressed carefully.
13. Micro Mobility
Light electric vehicles like e-bikes and e-scooters are transforming urban transportation amid micromobility’s rise. Shared micro mobility services let people conveniently get around congested cities. New regulations are emerging to balance safety and public infrastructure needs. Integrated trip planning apps join ride-sharing, micro transit, and public transit. Electrification, AVs, and 5G will enable next-gen micro mobility.
14. 3D Printing
Also called additive manufacturing, 3D printing builds objects layer-by-layer from digital models. As 3D printers get faster and produce higher-quality parts using more materials like metals, adoption expands in manufacturing, product design, healthcare, food, and construction. On-demand localized production reduces waste and supply chain issues. Customizable medical implants and treatments also emerge via 3D bioprinting.
15. Drones and Robotics
Enterprise, industrial, and public sector drone usage keeps growing for applications like surveying, inspection, construction, agriculture, search and rescue, and product delivery. Advanced computer vision, AI, sensors, and 5G boost drone capabilities and autonomy. Meanwhile, robotics keeps improving with embedded vision, machine learning, and safer human-robot collaboration, enabling automation across sectors.
16. Edge Computing
Edge computing enables data processing and analytics closer to devices and users, reducing data transportation to the cloud and latency. 5G and AI chips are driving this trend, enabling real-time responsiveness and intelligence in edge devices like smartphones, sensors, and PCs. Edge data centers also support IoT devices. Major IT firms now offer edge computing services alongside cloud infrastructure.
17. Natural Language Processing (NLP)
By enhancing natural language processing (NLP), developments in AI increase the usefulness of conversational interfaces like chatbots. Voice assistants are increasingly capable of comprehending questions and giving thoughtful answers. Additionally, NLP improves search engines, translates languages, does extensive sentiment analysis, and creates persuasive material. These skills rely on neural networks deriving insights from enormous datasets.
18. Immersive Experiences
Digital experiences that are immersive are more interesting, interactive, and varied. Immersive events, games, and shopping are made possible with VR and AR. Through sophisticated computer vision, graphics, and displays, mixed reality smoothly combines the physical and digital worlds. And volumetric video records 3D pictures that seem like “holograms.” In 2023 and beyond, more immersive experiences with low latency will be enabled by 5G, edge computing, and AI.
The top 18 new Technology developments that will matter in 2023 and beyond are listed above. Strong technological advancements—from AI and Extended Reality to quantum, blockchain, and 6G—continue to upend sectors and provide new possibilities around the globe.
