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New report highlights 2019 tech trends

FleishmanHillard HighRoad recently released Tech Trends 2019: The Fads. The Fears. The Future., a new report offering insights and predictions for the technology industry with an analysis of one billion tech-focused consumer conversations on Twitter between 2017 and 2018, along with insights from more than 25 technology thought leaders from around the world.

“Technology changes at a rapid pace and what consumers once barely even imagined, today they barely even notice,” said Natalie Sauvé, Senior Vice President, Technology Practice Lead at FleishmanHillard HighRoad. “By examining the conversations that have taken place and the technology on the horizon, we’ve been able to make predictions about tech in 2019 to help brands understand consumer expectations and plan for the future.”

According to FleishmanHillard HighRoad, 2019 technology predictions include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) will get detailed. Brands that use AI to engage in detailed and explanatory conversations – seeking to place AI in real-life contexts – will be next year’s big winners. Discussions on conversational AI increased 54 percent in Twitter topic volume from 2017 to 2018.

• Augmented analytics will go mainstream. AI’s potential to enhance human intelligence, rather than replace it, is central – consumers will want to understand both what augmented analytics means by itself, and what it means against technology’s other big trends.

• Blockchain will find new opportunities. Moving beyond cryptocurrencies, Blockchain could expand, supporting developments like smart cities and digital transformation. Discussion volume share increased 52 percent between 2017 and 2018 – and the opportunity for deeper, more forward-looking conversation is growing.

• Edge computing will come to the fore. Edge computing streamlines the flow of traffic from IoT devices and provides real-time local data analysis. Look for 5G to spur on the continued hype and interest in edge computing in 2019.

• Immersive reality will transform new sectors. Virtual, augmented and mixed realities will join to create new experiences for consumers and will creep even further into areas like retail, manufacturing and healthcare.

• Smart fabrics and e-textiles will rise in popularity. Expect smart fabrics and exoskeletons to hit runways and warehouse aisles alike, challenging what the term ‘wearable’ really means.

• Tech for good. FleishmanHillard’s Authentic Insights global report revealed that more than 80 percent of consumers rate data security and protection as ‘very important’ – ahead of only healthcare and education in the U.K. and healthcare and freedom of speech in the U.S. Against all this, responsible data protection measures will continue to be a major trend.