In spite of the impressive technological developments made in recent years, the impact of the most promising developments has been somewhat limited by a digital ecosystem in need of greater connectivity, efficiency, and security. This characterization of the current state of the digital ecosystem is not in any way intended as a slight; the accomplishments of the tech sector are absolutely worthy of praise and are undeniably impressive.
Even as the tech sector has successfully ushered in an era in which members of society are able to rely on the digital ecosystem in every aspect of their daily lives, a greater level of seamlessness is necessary if some of the most promising innovations — most notably artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and the internet of things — are ultimately capable of realizing their full potential.
With the emergence of these three critical developments, it appears increasingly likely that 2018 will be remembered as the year of synergism — that is, the kind of interaction or collaboration that enables the whole to be far greater than the sum of its parts — in the technological realm.
In order to yield the greatest possible benefit to society, these technologies require a level of connectivity, efficiency, and security that is simply not available in the current digital ecosystem. There are many who believe that 2018 will be a year of change, a year in which the technology sector finally delivers on the promise of a truly seamless digital ecosystem.
Connected, Efficient, and Secure
The great deal of progress made in the technology sector has radically altered the manner in which society functions, and the digital ecosystem has enabled a level of global connectivity never before seen in human history. While few would argue the increase in connectivity, concerns over efficiency and security remain.
With the increasing sophistication of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and the internet of things, it is only a matter of time before these three technologies begin to work in concert to further improve connectivity while also relieving any outstanding concerns regarding efficiency and security. The recent progress made in these areas indicates that this will occur sooner rather than later.
The Upshot of a Year of Technological Synergism
The influence of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and the internet of things is already quite widespread. Artificial intelligence — mainly in the form of algorithms designed to collect and analyze massive sets of data in an instant — is already utilized in an array of applications, with Siri perhaps representing the most notable example.
The internet of things is also now fairly commonplace in any number of devices found within the home or workplace, but there is still room for expansion beyond the devices in which it is most likely to be found, which include televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, and thermostats.
Finally, blockchain technology, which might be the key component in delivering on the promise of a seamless digital ecosystem, provides a decentralized platform. These types of database platforms offer safeguards designed to protect critical data from hackers or other bad actors.
In the field of medicine, for example, endless possibilities exist concerning the use of devices connected via the internet of things. Despite the potential for drastic improvements in health care outcomes, connected devices cannot yet function in such a critical role without the synergistic effect made possible through collaboration with artificial intelligence and blockchain technology; medical devices connected through the internet of things and further supported by artificial intelligence require robust security protections to prevent a bad actor from wreaking the kind of widespread havoc that endangers lives.
The threat posed by bad actors and hackers is all too real. The field of medicine has already been subjected to a number of data breaches illuminating the dangers of highly connected systems that are nonetheless vulnerable to hackers. These same issues exist in other areas as well, including a dangerous highway system that might be made safer by driverless cars if not for the same security vulnerabilities.
With the limitations created by these vulnerabilities, the full potential of both the internet of things and artificial intelligence has thus far been severely limited. The greater level of security potentially offered by functioning in concert with blockchain technology, however, means that these technological innovations might finally be utilized in ways that offer benefits to society that extend well beyond simply making one’s everyday life easier or more convenient.
Whether it is by increasing roadway safety or analyzing vast data sets to aid doctors as they make lifesaving decisions during an emergency medical care situation, the synergism of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and the internet of things holds the potential to save an incalculable number of lives.
So even though many inside as well as outside the technology sector have criticized tech companies for pursuing such idealistic aspirations — aspirations that some believe to be wholly insincere — that every new product or service cannot be introduced without reference to a solemn promise to “make the world a better place,” it is entirely possible that 2018 is finally the year in which the tech sector finally delivers on that solemn promise.