Gartner’s most important strategic tech trends for 2017 [5 Reading Tips]

A new year is always synonymous with new objectives, strategies, and projects. Since mobile has ceased to be a trend to becoming a natural state for an increasing mass of people and a must for organisations, the main challenges organisations should face in order to lead the race towards innovation during this new year are both to wisely handle the strong emergence of smart digital technologies, and to be able to provide competitive advantages. Having said that, what are the main technology trends for 2017 that no company should miss out according to Gartner?

The “intelligent digital mesh” panorama

As you can see in the graphic, Gartner identified 10 strategic trends and grouped them into three categories or “complementary trends”: intelligent, digital, and mesh, which are closely bound up with each other, as vice president and Gartner fellow David Cearley accurately described:

» “The first three embrace ‘Intelligence Everywhere,’ how data science technologies and approaches are evolving to include advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence allowing the creation of intelligent physical and software-based systems that are programmed to learn and adapt. The next three trends focus on the digital world and how the physical and digital worlds are becoming more intertwined. The last four trends focus on the mesh of platforms and services needed to deliver the intelligent digital mesh.” «

Artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced machine learning

One of the most indispensable technologies of 2017 is the duo made up by AI and machine learning. By means of algorithms and sensors, among others, they transfer smartness and intelligence to new and existing apps, devices, and machines to form the so-called Internet of Things or, as Gartner said, ”the intelligent digital mesh”.

With the application of these technologies, machines are not only able to learn but also to adapt to the environment, what makes them smart. The correct implementation of this technology will let people, organisations, and entire industries benefit from autonomous cars, robots, virtual personal assistants like Apple Siri, smart advisors, and predictive maintenance.

Virtual reality, augmented reality, and digital twin

Immersive technologies are transforming the way people interact with each other and with machines. New business models are coming up as a consequence of the implementation of these technologies. Companies and brands are offering services and products with added value, making the experience of buying in an omnichannel world easier and simpler.

On the other hand, the digital twin is revolutionising product manufacturing as well as how this process takes place. According to Gartner, a digital twin is “a dynamic software model of a physical thing or system that relies on sensor data to understand its state, respond to changes, improve operations and add value”. For instance, John Deere is applying this technology to program robots offline within big farming businesses.

Chatbots and adaptive security architecture

Currently, chatbots are the most visible example of conversational interface applications. However, as companies and people connect the new touchpoints that arise as a consequence of the evolution of the “digital mesh”, a more omnichannel ecosystem will enable enhanced ways of interaction. Better interfaces are said to be taken to the next level creating the foundation for a new continuous digital experience.

Finally, the increasing amount of devices, platforms, and systems that are connected together and constitute the digital mesh, require a solid and adaptive security infrastructure, which protects applications, services, and models from hacking and data leakage.