The technical advances that have accompanied the internet boom have taken the way we all experience the world and heightened every opportunity. From shopping and gambling to studying and keeping ourselves entertained, we have never before had access to this many choices.
One of the consequences of this free flow of experiences is that our personal information is more available to wider array of people. Every time we set up an account, log in, read an article, or click on a web banner, the internet captures information about us.
This information is available to the highest bidder, and presents a number of exciting opportunities, particularly for marketers and those in the business of developing technologically-driven products, software, and computer equipment.
So what does the next year hold? Will it be more of the same? Or will our data go from empowering us to order groceries by pushing a button to putting us at risk of being overrun by machines?
1. New Ways to Learn
This sounds great, but as much as big data is helping education specialists to craft even more inventive and applicable programs, the fact is that its the machines that are predicted to become teachers pet in 2017. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is creeping up on us as developers move beyond the realm of simple programing to a space where the neutral network is mirrored by connected machines. While the science is unlikely to be perfected within the next few years, we will see iterations of it becoming more prevalent in our daily lives. Automatic self-driving cars, emotion-detecting robotics, and intuitive software systems are almost upon us.
2. A Need for Stricter Security
Popular films and TV shows are often based on a superstar criminal who is always a step ahead of unlucky law enforcement. And although there are equal numbers of cinema dedicated to the good guy always winning, we live in a time where cyber criminals are breaking new ground quicker than anyone can react.
While the software we all use on a daily basis does offer some protection from those trying to steal our information, it is always worth taking extra precautions to prevent identity theft, which represents the most complete and pervasive form of online crime. Always be sure that you maintain strict control of your information, be wary of suspicious activity or communication, and make sure you get your family in the habit of safe software use.
3. Bigger, Better Storage
The internet of things often abbreviated to IoT has seen digital technology become so common that it has changed the way we live. In what feels like the blink of an eye our briefcases were replaced by hard drives. But these are prone to destruction, plus they can go missing. So we built bigger flash drives, but these were too small and also had a tendency to go for walks along with pens and cigarette lighters.
By 2016 we are securing information and documentation on the cloud, a virtual server that lives in the world of the internet. It means we can access anything from anywhere on any connected device as long as we have a connection.
2017 is set to see the growth and improvement of cloud-based services and data management and information storage. Think enhanced security, quicker up- and download times, and the launch of an army of service providers. While this is exciting, its still worth using traditional storage media for backups and peace of mind, so dont pin your hopes exclusively on virtual storage just yet.
4. Futuristic Digital Experiences
Experts are predicting that in a few short years, data will be a commodity traded by brokers. Technology that reads our emotions will be common. And in-home robotics will be an absolute must for the busy, connected family on the go. But data isnt only going to have a drastic impact on the way we live its going to revolutionize the way that we all work. In fact, it is predicted that by 2020 the workplace will be as much as 80% reimagined increased automization, real-time information sharing and global collaboration are all on the immediate horizon.
Bottom Line
Information is set to be the worlds currency and if you havent already explored it from a work or life perspective, then sit back 2017 looks to be the year that big data goes mainstream.
