As an everchanging industry, companies must stay informed about developing trends to maintain a competitive advantage. Here are three influential IT trends to keep an eye on as we wrap up 2019 and head into 2020.
AI and Machine Learning
IT leaders are using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for diverse priorities, including streamlining operations, driving innovation, and enhancing overall customer experience. Automating repetitive or time-consuming tasks can allow your team to focus more on critical thinking and strategic problems.
In a recent survey, Adobe found that 41% of IT decision makers said that AI and machine learning will provide the most value in improving customer experience. Other factors included: the Internet of Things (22%), voice (14%), and immersive technologies such as virtual and augmented realities (12%) and chatbot technology (11%).
Blockchain
Blockchain adoption has been slow in most industries and among smaller companies, but blockchain-enabled technology is expected to keep expanding its influence in the future. Some IT leaders believe it could eventually supplement existing IT infrastructure. A quarter of large enterprises are already using blockchain tech, and that percentage is expected to increase to more than 50% by 2020, according to data from IT industry marketplace Spiceworks.
In-Demand IT Skills
Nearly one in three organizations planned to increase their IT staff in 2019, based on research from Spiceworks. Cybersecurity skills were the most sought-after among companies planning to hire more IT employees. Small organizations were more likely to seek IT professionals with end user hardware and infrastructure expertise, while midsize companies said they were prioritizing candidates with DevOps skills. Large enterprises reported that AI expertise was the number two skill they were seeking after cybersecurity knowledge.
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