Artificial Intelligence
The new frontier in human history has been created, all by the name of artificial intelligence.
Often defined as the science behind intelligent systems and robotics. Another aspect is to
create Expert Systems to exhibit intelligent behaviour in machines that learn, demonstrate,
explain, and advice the users. It also includes Deep Learning, Machine Learning, Neural Networks &
Data Mining.
An information system is a set of interrelated components that works together to collect,
process, store and breakdown the information to support decision making.
There are 4 types of information systems:
1. Transaction Processing System (TPS):
• Transaction Processing System are information system that processes data resulting
from the occurrences of business transactions
• Their objectives are to provide transaction in order to update records and generate
reports i.e to perform store keeping function
• The transaction is performed in two ways: Batching processing and Online transaction
processing.
• Example: Bill system, payroll system, Stock control system.
2. Management Information System (MIS):
• Management Information System is designed to take relatively raw data available
through a Transaction Processing System and convert them into a summarized and
aggregated form for the manager, usually in a report format. It reports tending to be
used by middle management and operational supervisors.
• Many different types of report are produced in MIS. Some of the reports are a summary
report, on-demand report, ad-hoc reports and an exception report.
• Example: Sales management systems, Human resource management system.
3. Decision Support System (DSS):
• Decision Support System is an interactive information system that provides information,
models and data manipulation tools to help in making the decision in a semi-structured
and unstructured situation.
• Decision Support System comprises tools and techniques to help in gathering relevant
information and analyze the options and alternatives, the end user is more involved in
creating DSS than an MIS.
• Example: Financial planning systems, Bank loan management systems.
4. Experts System:
• Experts systems include expertise in order to aid managers in diagnosing problems or in
problem-solving. These systems are based on the principles of artificial intelligence
research.
• Experts Systems is a knowledge-based information system. It uses its knowledge about a
specify are to act as an expert consultant to users.
• Knowledgebase and software modules are the components of an expert system. These
modules perform inference on the knowledge and offer answers to a user’s question
Artificial intelligence (AI) centres on machine coding that mimics human and animal intelligence. AI
professionals develop algorithms and program machines to perform humanlike tasks. Already
ubiquitous, AI helps detect credit card fraud, identify disease outbreaks, and optimize satellite
navigation. AI is already known for its superiority in image and speech recognition, navigation apps,
smartphone personal assistants, ride-sharing apps and so much more.
Computing developments in AI purportedly include reliability and safety for intelligent autonomous
systems, AI for digital manufacturing, and trustworthy and explainable AI and machine learning.
Other than that AI will be used further to analyze interactions to determine underlying connections
and insights, to help predict demand for services like hospitals enabling authorities to make better
decisions about resource utilization, and to detect the changing patterns of customer behaviour by
analyzing data in near real-time, driving revenues and enhancing personalized experiences.
With AI spreading its wings across sectors, new jobs will be created in development, programming,
testing, support and maintenance, to name a few.
Machine Learning the subset of AI, is also being deployed in all kinds of industries, creating a huge
demand for skilled professionals. Forrester predicts AI, machine learning, and automation will create
9 percent of new U.S. jobs by 2025, jobs including robot monitoring professionals, data scientists,
automation specialists, and content curators, making it another new technology trend you must
keep in mind too!
Robotics
The robotics field studies and develops robots in the pursuit of make life easier. A multidisciplinary
field, robotics incorporates computer science and electrical and mechanical engineering. Robotics
uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other computer science technologies.
Robots aim to increase safety and efficiency in industries like manufacturing, farming, and food
preparation. People use robotics technologies to manufacture cars, complete dangerous tasks like
bomb diffusion, and conduct complex surgeries.
Edge Computing [Cloud Computing Hits The Edge]
The ‘Cloud’ in Cloud Computing refers to the servers, storage, databases, networking, software,
analytics provided by the ‘Cloud’ provider. The cloud provider is basically the internet or data
provider. This area plays an important role in various fields of business, computing, security, every
topic in this article etc.
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services – e.g. servers, databases, software,
storage, networking, analytics and intelligence – over the Internet to offer faster innovation
and flexible resources. Cloud computing is a giant move from the traditional approach of
managing Information Technology (IT) resources. Avoiding huge cost and complexity of
owning and maintaining their own IT infrastructure are some of the benefits from using
cloud computing services. Organisations could simply pay for what they use, when they use
it and they can scale as business needs change.
Formerly a new technology trend to watch, cloud computing has become mainstream, with major
players AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform dominating the
market. The adoption of cloud computing is still growing, as more and more businesses migrate to a
cloud solution. But it’s no longer the emerging technology trend. Edge is.
In contrast to cloud computing, where data is processed and stored far away from the end user in
large data centres, edge computing puts computer data at “the edge,” close to the end user. Experts
do not expect the cloud to disappear completely, but rather work in tandem with edge computing as
it brings processing to users, streamlining anything from factory production to self-driving car
response.
Edge computing is a decentralized model which places computing nodes closer to the source of
interaction. As the quantity of data organizations are dealing with continues to increase, they have
realized the shortcomings of cloud computing in some situations. Edge computing is designed to
help solve some of those problems as a way to bypass the latency caused by cloud computing and
getting data to a datacentre for processing. It can exist “on the edge,” if you will, closer to where
computing needs to happen. For this reason, edge computing can be used to process timesensitive
data in remote locations with limited or no connectivity to a centralized location. In those situations,
edge computing can act like mini datacentres.
Technology like autonomous cars, video conferencing, and augmented reality all benefit from edge
computing. For example, when an autonomous car makes a split-second decision to brake and avoid
a collision, an on-board computer system — edge computing — eliminates the delay of waiting for a
server in the cloud to respond. Industries like telecommunications, security, and oil and gas employ
workers with edge computing expertise.
Edge computing will increase as use of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices increases. This new
technology trend is only meant to grow and nothing less, creating various jobs, primarily for
software engineers.
Gartner estimates that 80% of enterprises will shut down their traditional data centres by 2025. This
is mainly because traditional cloud computing relies on servers in one central location. If the end-
user is in another country, they have to wait while data travels thousands of miles. Latency issues
like this can really hamper an application’s performance (especially for high-bandwidth media, like
video). Which is why many companies are moving over to edge computing service providers instead.
Modern edge computing brings computation, data storage, and data analytics as close as possible to
the end-user location. And when edge servers host web applications the result is massively improved
response times. And Content Delivery Networks like Cloudflare that make edge computing easy and
accessible will increasingly power the web.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
The next exceptional technology trend - Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), and
Extended Reality (ER). VR immerses the user in an environment while AR enhances their
environment. Although this technology trend has primarily been used for gaming thus far, it has also
been used for training, as with VirtualShip, a simulation software used to train U.S. Navy, Army and
Coast Guard ship captains.
We can expect these forms of technologies being further integrated into our lives. Usually working in
tandem with some of the other new technologies in this list, AR and VR have enormous potential in
training, entertainment, education, marketing, and even rehabilitation after an injury. Either could
be used to train doctors to do surgery, offer museum-goers a deeper experience, enhance theme
parks, or even enhance marketing.
The newest trend is to get the (VR) virtual reality environment products. As for the present, VRs are
used for several applications that include gaming, engineering, design etc. But this trend is going to
affect almost everything we do or think. Medical science, physical sciences, environment,
businesses, space industry and entertainment industry are the biggest stakeholders for VR
applications.
Spatial Computing
Rather than interacting with a static computer that sits on your desk, we are now engaging with
computing as we move throughout our daily lives. Spatial computing involves virtual reality (VR) and
augmented reality (AR), but goes well beyond those categories. Spatial computing involves
interacting with digital elements in an intertwined fashion with the real world. Think of smart
homes, speaking commands to achieve real-world goals or using smart glasses as you move
throughout the world, using digital resources to inform real-world experiences.
Digital Twin
Almost anything is possible with the right coding, and now we can digitally copy a person. The virtual
manifestation of a person is a real-time representation of what takes place in the human body.
Digital twins are very useful for helping us to predict outcomes and measure performance. There are
multiple business and healthcare applications that allow us to perform testing and apply data
analytics that was previously difficult and time consuming to realize with living subjects.
Advancements such as genome mapping and gene therapy could become more viable in the near
future. Additionally, digital twins could finally eliminate the need for clinical trials in humans as we
work to manage future medical challenges.
Data Science (Big Data)
This is the most emerging technology of today in the list of Emerging Trends in Computer Science.
There is a very large scope of research and development considering the amount of data being
produced by organizations and individually across the globe. It is also the most challenging, lucrative
and well-paying profession. An overwhelming number of research papers/journals were published in
the last few years. It deals with the storage, processing and analyzing the massive data stored in
across the world in various organizations and data centres. One research aspect of data science or
big data is the study, assessment, and evaluation of human interactions and behaviours. As seen in a
recent poll by IBM, nearly 2/3rd of all demands for data scientists are unfulfilled. So, the sky is the
limit in this most trending field in Computer Science.
Customer Data Platforms
If data is the new gold, then customer data platforms are the new banks. Businesses benefit from
knowing as much about customers as possible so that they can hyper-personalize experiences and
know how best to reach and engage prospects and customers. But often, knowledge is disparate,
located across several systems or platforms with no single unifying source. Customer data platforms
bring this information together into a single source to provide a comprehensive picture of
consumers and eliminate the potential for unclean data.
Cyber Security
Cybersecurity focuses on protecting computer systems and networks from cyberthreats and attacks.
As companies continue storing information on the cloud and conduct operations online, the need for
improved cybersecurity also grows.
Individuals, businesses, and governments experience significant financial losses due to cyberattacks.
For example, the ransomware attackin the eastern U.S. in May 2021 cost the Colonial Pipeline about
$5 million and inflated gas prices for consumers.
Most industries, including healthcare, financial institutions, and insurance, need better cybersecurity
technologies to protect their proprietary and customer data.
The increasing number of cyber-attacks stresses the need of promising, practical and economical
cyber security systems everywhere. Be it home, businesses, public and private sector organizations,
government offices, aviation, transportation, medicine, and entertainment to name a few. This point
towards an ever-increasing market for cyber security networks and systems. These systems at its
very core must be able to control all the malware activities and viruses (virus and malware are two
different terms) efficiently and effectively. It goes beyond this most important activity and must
provide reliable and efficient systems that warn about threats, provide prevention and secure any
kind of credentials from malicious attacks.
Threats are constantly new. The malevolent hackers who are trying to illegally access data are not
going to give up any time soon, and they will continue to find ways to get through even the toughest
security measures. It’s also in part because new technology is being adapted to enhance security. As
long as we have hackers, cybersecurity will remain a trending technology because it will constantly
evolve to defend against those hackers.
As proof of the strong need for cybersecurity professionals, the number of cybersecurity jobs is
growing three times faster than other tech jobs. Also, the need for proper cybersecurity is so high
that by 2021, $6 trillion will be spent globally on cybersecurity.
Zero Trust Becomes the Norm
Most information security frameworks used by organizations use traditional trust authentication
methods (like passwords). These frameworks focus on protecting network access. And they assume
that anyone that has access to the network should be able to access any data and resources they'd
like. There's a big downside to this approach: a bad actor who has got in via any entry point can then
move around freely to access all data. Or delete it altogether. Zero Trust information security models
aim to prevent this potential vulnerability. Zero Trust models replace the old assumption that every
user within an organization’s network can be trusted. Instead, nobody is trusted, whether they’re
already inside or outside the network. Verification is required from everyone trying to gain access to
any resource on the network.
Huge companies like Cisco are investing heavily to develop Zero Trust solutions. This security
architecture is quickly moving from just a computer science concept to industry best practice. It is
little wonder why: IBM reports that the average data breach costs a company $3.86 million in
damages. And that it takes an average of 280 days to fully recover. We will see demand for this
technology continue to skyrocket in 2021 and beyond as businesses adopt Zero Trust security to
mitigate this risk.
Bio-informatics
Simply put, it is the science that combines computers and anatomy of living beings. It deals with the
processing and gathering the biological data with the use of computer programs. This area of
converting complex biological data into readable format is attaining popularity in many developed
countries like the US. The future seems bright for the people developing skill in this area of research.
The medical research today is incompatible with large part of applications in bioinformatics. So, this
area is a promising field for development in the near future whose seeds have been sown much
earlier.
Bioinformatics-professionals study, store, and analyse biological information. A multidisciplinary
subfield combining computer science and biology, bioinformatics looks for patterns in sequences of
genetic material like DNA, genes, RNA, and protein. Bioinformatics workers develop the methods
and software applications that accomplish these tasks.
The medical and pharmaceutical, industrial, environmental/government, and information
technology fields benefit significantly from bioinformatics computer science technologies.
Bioinformatics helps doctors in preventative and precision medicine detect diseases earlier to offer
efficient targeted treatment.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Another promising new technology trend is IoT. Many “things” are now being built with WiFi
connectivity, meaning they can be connected to the Internet—and to each other. Hence, the
Internet of Things, or IoT. The Internet of Things is the future, and has already enabled devices,
home appliances, cars and much more to be connected to and exchange data over the Internet.
As consumers, we’re already using and benefitting from IoT. We can lock our doors remotely if we
forget to when we leave for work and preheat our ovens on our way home from work, all while
tracking our fitness on our Fitbits. However, businesses also have much to gain now and in the near
future. The IoT can enable better safety, efficiency and decision-making for businesses as data is
collected and analyzed. It can enable predictive maintenance, speed up medical care, improve
customer service, and offer benefits we haven’t even imagined yet.
And we’re only in the beginning stages of this new technology trend: Forecasts suggest that by 2030
around 50 billion of these IoT devices will be in use around the world, creating a massive web of
interconnected devices spanning everything from smartphones to kitchen appliances. New
technologies such as 5G is expected to drive market growth in the coming years.
If you wish to step foot in this trending technology, you will have to learn about Information
security, AI and machine learning fundamentals, networking, hardware interfacing, data analytics,
automation, understanding of embedded systems, and must have device and design knowledge.
5G
The next technology trend that follows the IoT is 5G. Where 3G and 4G technologies have enabled us
to browse the internet, use data driven services, increased bandwidths for streaming on Spotify or
YouTube and so much more, 5G services are expected to revolutionize our lives by enabling services
that rely on advanced technologies like AR and VR, alongside cloud-based gaming services like
Google’s Stadia, Sony's PlayStation Now, Nvidia's GeForce Now, Amazon's Luna, and Microsoft's
Xbox Cloud Gaming and much more. It is expected to be used in factories, HD cameras that help
improve safety and traffic management, smart grid control and smart retail too.
Just about every telecom company like Verizon, Tmobile, Apple, Nokia Corp, QualComm, are now
working on creating 5G applications. 5G services are expected to launch worldwide in 2021 with
more than 50 operators offering services in about 30 countries by the end of 2021, making it a new
technology trend you must watch out for, and also save a spot in.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing uses powerful computers to solve problems at the atomic and subatomic
levels. Unlike classic computers, which perform calculations and store data in binary code, quantum
computers use quantum bits, also known as qubits. This allows quantum computers to crunch
numbers and solve problems much more quickly than previously possible.
While large tech companies like Google and IBM make strides towards quantum computing
advances, the field remains in its infancy. Other fields that can benefit from quantum computing
include banking, transportation, and agriculture.
Researchers may use quantum computing to find the best truck delivery routes, determine the most
efficient flight schedule for an airport, or develop new medicines quickly and cheaply. Scientists see
promise in quantum computing to develop sustainable technologies and solve environmental
problems.
Quantum computing is a form of computing that takes advantage of quantum phenomena like
superposition and quantum entanglement. To make a mark in this new trending technology, you
need to have experience with quantum mechanics, linear algebra, probability, information theory,
and machine learning.
Quantum computing is the use of quantum mechanics, such as entanglement and superposition, to
perform computations. Quantum computers have the potential to solve problems that would take
the world's most powerful supercomputers millions of years.
Quantum computers have the potential to completely transform data science. They also have the
potential to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, big data, deep
learning, encryption, medicine and more. The downside is that quantum computers are currently
incredibly difficult to build and sensitive to interference. Despite current limitations, it's fair to
expect further advances from Google and others that will help make quantum computers practical
to use.
Low-Code Technology
Low-code technology is bringing software development to those without a high level of technical
knowledge. Traditional software development is a long, arduous process, requiring a high level of
programming knowledge and a significant time investment. With low-code technology, software can
be developed with a drag-and-drop interface and no extensive backend coding. This allows business
users to solve a variety of specific challenges without needing to engage a highly technical resource.
Kotlin Overtakes Java
Kotlin is a general-purpose programming language that first appeared in 2011. It’s designed
specifically to be a more concise and streamlined version of Java. And so it works for both JVM (Java
Virtual Machine) and Android development. Kotlin is billed as a modern programming language that
makes developers happier. There are over 7 million Java programmers in the world right now. Since
Kotlin offers big advantages over Java, we can expect more and more programmers to make the
switch between 2021 and 2025. Google even made the announcement in 2019 that Kotlin is now its
preferred language for Android app developers.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Like AI and Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation, or RPA, is another technology that is
automating jobs. RPA is the use of software to automate business processes such as interpreting
applications, processing transactions, dealing with data, and even replying to emails. RPA automates
repetitive tasks that people used to do.
The name is something of a misnomer however, as there are no physical robots involved in these
tasks. RPA involves automating tasks using bots that previously required human labour and follow a
repetitive pattern to accomplish more of these computer-based tasks with enhanced efficiency.
Many businesses are embracing RPA to help achieve more efficient workflows for rule-based tasks.
Blockchain
Although most people think of blockchain technology in relation to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin,
blockchain offers security that is useful in many other ways. In the simplest of terms, blockchain can
be described as data you can only add to, not take away from or change. Hence the term “chain”
because you’re making a chain of data. Not being able to change the previous blocks is what makes
it so secure. In addition, blockchains are consensus-driven, so no one entity can take control of the
data. With blockchain, you don’t need a trusted third-party to oversee or validate transactions.
The real power lies in the immutability and transparency of a blockchain. Blockchains use distributed
ledger technology resulting in a fixed and highly visible record of activity with high potential for
business applications.
The blockchain is an information system that holds promise for supply chain management, enabling
transparency into the journey of materials from origin to product. Blockchain technology will also
allow for better record management, providing a snapshot of any record from its origination. This
could be used to verify orders, purchases, returns, receipt of product.
Several industries are involving and implementing blockchain, and as the use of blockchain
technology increases, so too does the demand for skilled professionals. From a bird’s eye view, a
blockchain developer specializes in developing and implementing architecture and solutions using
blockchain technology.
If you are intrigued by Blockchain and its applications and want to make your career in this trending
technology, then this is the right time to start. To get into Blockchain, you need to have hands-on
experience of programming languages, the fundamentals of OOPS, flat and relational databases,
data structures, web app development, and networking.
Blockchain is a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to
change, hack, or cheat the system.
A blockchain is essentially a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across
the entire network of computer systems on the blockchain. Each block in the chain contains a
number of transactions, and every time a new transaction occurs on the blockchain, a record of that
transaction is added to every participant’s ledger. The decentralised database managed by multiple
participants is known as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).
Blockchain is a type of DLT in which transactions are recorded with an immutable cryptographic
signature called a hash.
This means if one block in one chain was changed, it would be immediately apparent it had been
tampered with. If hackers wanted to corrupt a blockchain system, they would have to change every
block in the chain, across all of the distributed versions of the chain.
Blockchains such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are constantly and continually growing as blocks are being
added to the chain, which significantly adds to the security of the ledger.
There have been many attempts to create digital money in the past, but they have always failed.
The prevailing issue is trust. If someone creates a new currency called the X dollar, how can we trust
that they won't give themselves a million X dollars, or steal your X dollars for themselves?
Bitcoin was designed to solve this problem by using a specific type of database called a blockchain.
Most normal databases, such as an SQL database, have someone in charge who can change the
entries (e.g. giving themselves a million X dollars). Blockchain is different because nobody is in
charge; it’s run by the people who use it. What’s more, bitcoins can’t be faked, hacked or double
spent – so people that own this money can trust that it has some value.
Blockchain is a shared, immutable ledger for recording transactions, tracking assets and building
trust. ([Link]
A blockchain is a growing list of records, called blocks, that are linked together using cryptography.
Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp, and transaction data
(generally represented as a Merkle tree). The timestamp proves that the transaction data existed
when the block was published in order to get into its hash. As blocks each contain information about
the block previous to it, they form a chain, with each additional block reinforcing the ones before it.
Therefore, blockchains are resistant to modification of their data because once recorded, the data in
any given block cannot be altered retroactively without altering all subsequent blocks.
Blockchains are typically managed by a peer-to-peer network for use as a publicly distributed ledger,
where nodes collectively adhere to a protocol to communicate and validate new blocks. Although
blockchain records are not unalterable as forks are possible, blockchains may be considered secure
by design and exemplify a distributed computing system with high Byzantine fault tolerance.