Times are changing. The rate of technology is accelerating at an unpredictable and unprecedented rate. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, the modern workforce is nearing the cusp of a fourth industrial revolution.
By the start of this decade, more than a third of desired core skills will be concocted by abilities not yet considered crucial for job skills today. As always, with so many emerging technologies, the keys to a successful business are identifying disruptive methods and strategizing opportunities to accommodate future changes.
According to a recent survey by thousands of senior business leaders and IT staff, 78% of respondents expect technology to make a significant change in how we work this decade. By analyzing a report by The McKinsey Global Institute, we’ve organized a list of the five technologies that will lead this encroaching industrial revolution. According to the report, “Not every emerging technology will alter the business or social landscape — but some truly do have the potential to disrupt the status quo, alter the way people live and work, and rearrange value pools.”
Mobile Internet
In order to understand this technology, one must comprehend the mobile workforce. These are workers, software, and related services utilized outside the company premises. Technology advances in mobile devices are currently shifting how businesses’ IT departments view security and performance.
By 2025, mobile connectivity will be accessed by an additional 4.3 billion people. Mobile internet may be at the forefront of the shift in technology in the workforce. Early on, mobile apps were merely used for games, social media, weather, and GPS. Now, the need for these apps is becoming a necessity for businesses everywhere.
Currently, there are nine billion devices connected to the mobile internet. Cyber security will become vital to companies. Benefits include securing internal and external systems, products, and employee devices.
Specifically, using the cloud will increase collaboration and streamline processes across all mobile business operations. Training videos, file sharing, and cloud-computed technologies via mobile can make everything smoother for remote employees.
Artificial Intelligence
When A.I. is mentioned, people often think of a futuristic, Jetsons-like landscape of flying cars and robotic maids. This version of artificial intelligence is based more on advances in automation. In definition, the term is a broad concept describing any type of computer software that engages in humanlike activities. User interfaces, including speech and facial recognition technologies, will advance to increase productivity and eliminate knowledge work. The streamlining process of aggregating and processing business data, is far faster than humans ever could.
Perhaps, drivers won’t get the flying cars as promised in the Hanna-Barbera classic. However, driverless cars are a reality that incorporates both training data and fast graphic processing units. This permits more time for presentations, projects, and research, while the vehicle takes an individual wherever they need to go.
The structure of the workforce will also change. A.I. will allow a knowledge-based economy and leverage creating numerous human jobs to integrate fragmented long-standing workflows.
Biometric Technology
Recent surveys conducted among security professionals revealed that 72% of companies are planning to drop traditional passwords by 2025. Access passwords will no longer be the name of your dog, the name of your street, or your birth year. Now, security access will rely on authorization services for varying unique facial features, voice, and even signature identification.
Biometrics for workforce management not only increases identification purposes, but ensures productivity, profits, and accountability. The technology is a secure and effective method to maximize businesses’ ROI and is essential for businesses to ensure operational efficiencies. Biometric identification management technology could also bolster loss prevention and create ensured compliance with labor laws.
Blockchain
Mostly known for the virtual currency Bitcoin, recent findings show 64 different use cases of blockchain across over 200 companies. Blockchain has the capability of supporting the elements of enterprise content management systems. It can be used to authenticate records and provide an audit trail for authorizations. Data components possess value in a marketplace that craves authentic and verifiable transactions.
With the job market moving almost entirely online — as of March 2020 — blockchain is increasingly being applied to careers, including history, educational background, and accreditations. Blockchain has the ability to clean up resume supply chain issues and avoid hiring snafus. Implementing the technology will drive personalized solutions and glean value through analytics. No longer will this career data have to be scattered across multiple platforms and databases, effectively saving the company money and time attempting to find information.
Genomics
No, this isn’t a concept proposed in Michael Crichton’s fiction.
Covid boosted the possibilities of genomics. Who would have thought a saliva-based genomic-sequencing test would be available in tens of thousands of retail health stores two years ago?
Sequencing’s rapidly declining cost has accelerated global adoption. Current efforts are focused on identifying genetic diseases, diagnosing, and optimizing treatment. Helping the technology is computer processing speeds. DNA sequencing and technologies are improving life expectancy, food stock production, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The promise of genomics includes: rare disease diagnosis, stopping unnecessary treatments, tailoring cancer treatments, genetic carrier screenings, and infection control.
Learn More
Do you want to stay ahead of the curve on technology changes and learn how your company can create a culture and movement that transforms into the modern workforce needed to succeed? Then check out this podcast with Accelery CEO Lenwood Ross and best-selling author Greg Satell:
