The modern world of technology is getting more and more complicated - new, more advanced solutions are being developed every day. Some are betting on the development of augmented reality and immersive technologies to create a copy of the real world.

Thanks to technologies such as digital immunity, 6

G, metaverse and other inventions, this concept may soon become a reality. What does this mean for businesses? Will these technologies increase productivity? Or will they increase the risk of cyber attacks? Read on to learn more.

Key technology trends of 2023

In recent years, many companies have struggled with ever-changing circumstances, including supply chain disruptions (you can read about how RND helps solve these problems in this article), rising inflation, geopolitical tensions and, of course, unprecedented global pandemics and lockdowns. This has led to new communication systems and modes of work. Many people still work from home or in a hybrid model today, and employers using online systems are not even trying to return to the pre-pandemic reality.

According to the IEEE report "The Impact of Technology in 2023 and Beyond," the global impact of cloud computing will be 40%, followed by the metaverse at 37%, then electric vehicles at 35%, and the industrial Internet of Things at 33%.

Whether you're looking to improve your structure, reduce costs or simply change your business strategy, here are some key trends that will shape our world in the coming year.

1. digital immune system

Security concerns have been on the minds of many companies

as far back as 2021, especially during the pandemic when many people were working from home. Instead of the "zero trust" concept we wrote about in 2021, in 2023 companies will focus on a "digital immune system" that combines multiple software development strategies to protect against threats. As the name suggests, it's all about the health of the virtual system and ensuring that the company's network security is protected.

Artificial intelligence in cyber security

With the rise of digitization, the risk of cyber attacks is increasing. Enterprises today face a greater number of threats. Due to its greater effectiveness, artificial intelligence is increasingly being used for protection. Although AI or machine learning (ML) cannot solve every cyber security problem, they provide tremendous support in quickly automating decision-making

procedures and identifying trends in missing or altered data. You can read more about AI and ML in cyber security in this article.

Blockchain and homomorphic encryption

In addition to AI, there are other innovations supporting cyber security, such as blockchain and homomorphic encryption. Blockchain security is a comprehensive blockchain risk management system that uses assurance services, cyber security frameworks and industry best practices to reduce the risk of fraud and attacks. These are solutions that are applicable to various data storage systems and are created to protect data stored on a specific blockchain system. These tools work by assessing risk, analyzing the blockchain ecosystem and identifying threats to data, applications and digital assets.

Homomorphic encryption is the process of encoding data into a ciphertext (plain text that has been encrypted using a cryptographic technique) that can be analyzed and used in the same way as the original. It is used to perform complex mathematical operations on encrypted data without breaking the encryption.

In a survey conducted by the IEEE, 90% of participants said that homomorphic encryption technology will have the greatest impact in 2023.

2. 5G and 6G

In 2023, we will see a new look at connectivity due to the rise of satellites in recent years. According to Eleanor Watson, a senior member of the IEEE, "satellites aimed at providing mobile connectivity in remote areas will be a breakthrough in communications, as they will make it possible to move away from the need to build very expensive terrestrial infrastructure. They are also the perfect virtual private network (VPN) to access content beyond the borders of any country."

The coming year will thus be a combined one thanks to 5G and cloud computing innovations. In addition, technology companies will be working on the 6G standard, which is expected to appear around 2030. 6G is the sixth-generation mobile system standard for cellular data networks supporting wireless communication technologies. It is intended to eventually replace 5G and is expected to be much faster. Like its predecessors, 6G networks will presumably be broadband cellular networks in which the service area is divided into discrete regions called cells.

Before the new standard arrives, however, 5G networks will continue to play a role in vehicle connectivity and automation in 2023. 97% of the aforementioned IEEE survey respondents agree.

3. metaverse

Can you imagine a place where things, objects and places are connected to each other virtually? That's what the metaverse is. The metaverse is referred to as an immersive digital network of interactive 3D worlds. Some sources say it's a technology that combines several virtual trends into one virtual environment where people can enhance the world around them with VR and AR.

Many Silicon Valley companies, most notably Meta, are focusing their efforts around the Metaverse. Facebook (now Meta) has been changing its name to include other apps, services and platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and perhaps to hint at its future Metaverse plans. In a Meta promotional video, Mark Zuckerberg described the new technology this way: "the next platform and medium will be even more immersive, an embodied internet where you don't just observe experiences, but participate in them. That's what the metaverse is."

Opinions on the metaverse are divided, with newspapers such as The Guardian and The New York Times raising concerns about whether the project will come to fruitio

n; the metaverse is still in its early stages, and the viability of long-term investment is uncertain. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 25% of the population will spend at least an hour a day in the metaverse. The metaverse will become a platform for socializing, learning, working, shopping and entertainment. As stated in the report, more than 40% of large companies worldwide will combine Web3 (a decentralized blockchain-based Internet ecosystem), AR cloud and digital twins in metaverse-enabled initiatives focused on increasing revenue.

4. Adaptive artificial intelligence

Adaptive artificial intelligence, compared to traditional AI processes, is able to adapt itself during the production process or modify itself after deployment, using real-time feedback from humans and machines.

As mentioned in the discussion of AI in cybersecurity, new implementations can be tailored to specific environments. Artificial intelligence, for example, is faster than humans in combating cyberattacks and more effectively wards off potential threats. This is especially true in the tech, engineering and manufacturing industries; more and more things and machines are becoming interconnected.

Gartner predicts that by 2026, companies that have implemented AI engineering methods to create and oversee adaptive AI systems will surpass their rivals in terms of the number and speed of operationalization of AI models.

5. sustainable technology

Sustainable technology has taken center stage for many compan

ies in recent years. There is no doubt that it is a key aspect of lowering carbon footprints, especially for industries that contribute the most to global greenhouse gas emissions. For more on this topic, see our previous article on sustainability in the industrial sector.

In order to help improve the environment, companies need technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, advanced analytics, shared cloud services and other advanced solutions. Read about 10 innovative technologies in the sustainable energy sector to learn more.

6. Electric vehicles

Transportation contributes nearly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. So it's time to swap internal combustion engines for electric ones. Many companies have already succeeded, but the introduction of electric vehicles has only gained momentum in some countries. Check out the Electric Vehicle Readiness Index 2022 to find out how the global electric vehicle market is developing.

In order for the EV market to strengthen, car companies need to focus on infrastructure development and invest in more charging points, EV batteries and new production lines, focusing on more sustainable car production.

"Fully electric, shared autonomous vehicles available on-demand will positively impact society in 2023 by providing underserved and diverse communities with access t

o fast and reliable mobility," Bilin Aksun-Guvenc, IEEE Member.

7. Cloud computing

The provision of hosting services over the Internet is called "cloud computing." The three main types of cloud computing are IaaS (infrastructure as a service), PaaS (platform as a service) and software as a service (SaaS). You can learn more about these services in this article.

The years 2020 and 2021 were dominated by cloud solutions - many companies began to run their businesses online then. 2022 was the year of the hybrid cloud, which is a combined computing, storage and service environment that consists of on-premises infrastructure, private cloud and public cloud. Technology continues to evolve. In 2023, companies will begin to see the benefits of distributing their services through several providers. The concept of using multiple clouds is a method that is sure to grow in 2023 due to its increased security and flexibility.

According to Gartner, global public cloud spending will increase 20.7% to $591.8 billion in 2023, compared to $490.3 billion in 2022.

8. Platform engineering

Platform engineering is a cutting-edge technology strategy that accelerates application development and increases business value. The role of platform engineering is t

o imp

rove and optimize the work of developers while enhancing the ability of product teams to deliver even more valuable solutions to customers.

According to Gartner, by 2026, 80% of companies will create platform teams and 75% of teams will use self-service developer portals.

What will 2023 bring?

The new year will be marked by even more technological advancements. To properly harness the potential of certain technologies, AI, automation and other advanced analytics tools will have to be trusted. Sustainability will also be of no small importance, which, like last year, will be an important topic in 2023.

Elfa Distrelec has specialized in the distribution of automation equipment for nearly 50 years. We are confident that we will meet all of our customers' expectations. For additional information or guidance, contact us today.