Technological trends

The year that has come to an end has been a good one for the appearance, or maturity, of certain technological trends that will strongly mark the next few years, such as quantum computing, Edge computing, developments in cybersecurity, Low Code services, and Total Experience (TX). However, we would also like to highlight some other particularly relevant elements:

• The crypto winter. The debacle in the value of the two main cryptocurrencies (BTC and ETH), caused at source by the Stablecoin crisis, and maintained by the current environment of high interest rates alongside problems experienced by certain operators in the crypto space, has lead to doubts about many projects (and investments) where blockchain is a key component.
• The metaverse. Despite this, the virtual universe will greet 2023 strongly. Having said that, many key players promoting it recognise the need to reset many of their business proposals and expectations. Despite the general environment of mistrust on the part of investors - and the first wave of mass redundancies in the virtual world has already occurred at Meta - this machine will not stop, but will further refine its experience components to multiply the influx of users into the world.
• 5G networks. With less speed and more problems than predicted, these high-speed mobile networks have been consolidated in Spain in 2022 and with this comes the promise to contribute to new and autonomous mobility systems, to improve infrastructure and services supported by the IoT, or to increase the availability of data in real time.
• Artificial Intelligence. The ChatGPT phenomenon, which everyone is talking about, is the best way to showcase the popularisation of artificial intelligence as one of the elements that have made a mark this year. Although the automaton created by OpenAI is - for the time being - something which we would consider spectacular rather than intelligent, it is already a clear demonstration of the capabilities of the natural language learning and processing systems, and they will become increasingly commonplace, particularly regarding process optimisation and nationalisation of the company/consumer relationship.
• Sustainability. Sustainable technological growth has marked a significant change in business models and marketing strategies in recent months, and vendors and consumers of technological services are no exception. Reduced CO2 footprints (with clean technologies and cloud migration as major facilitators) will be one of the greatest constants in current and future technological developments.
• Talent scarcity. The lack of qualified professionals to articulate major tech leads to an endemic problem - particularly in Spain - and this fact is already perceived as one of the main threats to the survival of many businesses in the IT sector.

In 2023, we do not expect this to change much. If anything, in the coming year we will continue to see how these emerging technological proposals place the individual at the very core, rather than simply being a provider or consumer of information.

In this context, it is important to stress how blockchain-based trust technologies will extend to more areas - despite the shocks, fears and disappointments experienced in 2022 - with more visible use, (here we must highlight those which will likely explode from next year onwards, such as self-sovereign identity services and interoperable digital credential services), and how AI platforms will increasingly pass through the filters of public opinion and ethics regarding their use and potential risks within the framework of the promotion and regulation of digital rights.