New research concludes that Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), cloud computing and 5G technologies will increase in usage through next year.

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The findings are the result of a study, named “The Impact of Technology in 2022 and Beyond”, was conducted by technical professional organisation, IEEE. The survey looked at global technology leaders from the US, UK, China, India and Brazil, and included 350 chief technology officers, chief information officers and IT directors.

The most important in 2022

Among total respondents, more than one in five (21%) said AI and machine learning, cloud computing (20%) and 5G (17%) will be the most important technologies next year.

Because of the global pandemic, technology leaders surveyed said in 2021 they accelerated adoption of cloud computing (60%), AI and machine learning (51%), and 5G (46%), among others.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that 95% agree –– including 66% who strongly agree –– that AI will drive the majority of innovation across nearly every industry sector in the next 1-5 years.

When asked which of the following areas 5G will most benefit in the next year, technology leaders surveyed said:

  • telemedicine, including remote surgery and health record transmissions (24%)
  • remote learning and education (20%)
  • personal and professional day-to-day communications (15%)
  • entertainment, sports and live event streaming (14%)
  • manufacturing and assembly (13%)
  • transportation and traffic control (7%)
  • carbon footprint reduction and energy efficiency (5%)
  • farming and agriculture (2%)

As for industry sectors, most impacted by technology in 2022, technology leaders surveyed cited manufacturing (25%), financial services (19%), healthcare (16%) and energy (13%). As compared to the beginning of 2021, 92% of respondents agree, including 60% who strongly agree, that implementing smart building technologies that benefit sustainability, decarbonisation and energy savings has become a top priority for their organization.

Workplace technologies, Human Resources collaboration and COVID-19

As the impact of COVID-19 varies globally and hybrid work continues, technology leaders nearly universally agree (97% agree, including 69% who strongly agree) their team is working more closely than ever before with Human Resources leaders to implement workplace technologies and apps for office check-in, space usage data and analytics, COVID and health protocols, employee productivity, engagement and mental health.

Among challenges technology leaders see in 2022, maintaining strong cybersecurity for a hybrid workforce of remote and in-office workers is viewed by those surveyed as challenging by 83% of respondents (40% very, 43% somewhat) while managing return-to-office health and safety protocols, software, apps and data is seen as challenging by 73% of those surveyed (29% very, 44% somewhat).

Determining what technologies are needed for their company in the post-pandemic future is anticipated to be challenging for 68% of technology leaders (29% very, 39% somewhat). Recruiting technologists and filling open tech positions in the year ahead is also seen as challenging by 73% of respondents.