5 futuristic tech trends here in the next 5 years

Artificial intelligence, DNA sequencing, automated vehicles, inanimate objects that talk to you… Whether we like it or not, every day we’re moving closer to technology that is becoming less a concept of the future and more a concrete reality.

What can we expect our future to be shaped by? Five panellists hosted by big four accounting firm PwC put their heads together and discussed the top five trends they thought would shape the next five years:

1. Learning will change

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Universities haven’t had to change their structure for decades – but with employers seeking graduates who have experience outside of a standard degree, this is all set to change, says Victoria University Council and Monash University Faculty of Engineering & IT board director Kee Wong. Australian university students will need to look at overseas options for their education.

At the same time, new online platforms and providers of education are pushing their way to the fore. But this doesn’t mean the future of education is going to just be ‘online’: we might see a “hybrid” system where traditional teaching methods are supplemented by innovations in both form and content.

2. Driverless cars are coming

While it’s no secret that Uber, Tesla and Waymo have been testing out their respective iterations of autonomous vehicles, it will still be a while before the market sees fully, totally autonomous driverless vehicles.

Rather, we’ll see “lower levels of automation”, disruption to industries and supply chains, and new business models off the back of a “driverless ecosystem”.

3. ‘Diasporic ecosystems’ will go where you go

It’s not just new technologies that are shaking things up – the way we live and move around the world has also had an impact on our social landscape and economy.

Companies are expanding into new countries by identifying cultural and ethnic connections. According to international strategist Bienna Chow, migrants from countries such as China, Africa and India have a strong focus on staying connected ‘back home’. Change is already afoot along these ‘cultural lines’.

4. Move over, IoT

The Internet of Things has had its fifteen minutes of fame; freelance technology consultant Bec Martin reckons the next trend will be ‘ambient intelligence’, which will see a move away from ‘clunky’ technologies (such as smart toasters and fridges) to intelligent software that can sense, predict and respond to humans.

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While significant strides have been made in artificial technology, ambient intelligence still has a way to go in being commercialised before it becomes an everyday reality.

5. Tech problems? Tech solutions

In such a digitalised society, technology itself is increasingly playing a part in our mental health issues. However, entrepreneur Rya Ebert says that more technology is the solution, not less.

Innovations in health management, device integration and voice technology can help prompt us to take time away from our screens or facilitate real world interactions with our friends and families. Ebert believes the integration of health technologies will ultimately see us become more integrated with people.