Key trends for Digital Transformation in 2019?

What does the future of digital transformation look like? A few of the important trends for digital transformation in 2019 are multi cloud, augmented analytics, autonomous things, the growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

C-level executives can use the top trends as a compass for fulfilling their responsibilities with regards to digital transformation in their organizations. This compass can be used to wade through the digital waters in the right direction.

1. Machine learning and artificial intelligence

AI and machine learning make it possible to process the mass amounts of data that we produce and collect in today’s day and age. According to a lot of reports about digital transformation, over 4 billion people across the globe use the internet. Thereby, it follows that last year, we created about 90% of the world’s data.

However, according to estimates, we are using only 1% of it effectively. In 2019, with the help of AI and machine learning this figure can be improved. Furthermore, based on a report by Forrester, AI will initiate a marketing renaissance. With AI-powered marketing and deeper processing of data, human behaviour and emotions will be better understood. This will result in better, “hyper-personalized” marketing campaigns in real-time.

2. Autonomous things

Robots, drones or warehousing machines – they all render different services for human beings by using some AI. Companies such as Uber, Microsoft or Samsung are utilizing Knightscope K5 robots to secure large outdoor spaces. These are machines that operate outdoors and run 24/7 all on their own, along with recharging themselves autonomously i.e. without any intervention by human beings. Organizations should start exploring what AI-driven autonomous things have to offer in 2019.

3. Better chatbots

It was very exasperating to have a conversation with a machine till a few years ago. Although recent improvements have made the experience better, the conversation is still a far cry from having a conversation with a human. In 2019, chatbots will improve significantly due to machine learning algorithms. This will result in more companies using chatbots. From a business point of view this is very important because it is much more economical than hiring hundreds of people to have hundreds of simultaneous customer centre conversations.

4. GDPR, digital ethics and privacy

Regulations that companies must comply with are being increasingly planned by governments. Consumers are gaining awareness of the vulnerability of sharing their personal information, therefore in order to survive, businesses should research GDPR software which helps regulate consumer personal information.

In 2019, there will be a lot of talk with regards to trust and ethics in organizations; it will be time to truly take care of privacy so as customers view the companies they are dealing with as trustworthy.

5. Multi-cloud

Gathering and processing data is greatly assisted by the cloud technology. In 2019, this will become even more efficient and secure due to multi-cloud. In multi-cloud, a company employs two or more cloud computing platforms so as to perform different tasks without depending on a single cloud provider. Accordingly, data accessibility and security are improved while using cloud services is simplified.

Multi-cloud is already being used by up to 80% of enterprises, however in 2019 companies are likely to go even deeper.

6. Simplifying Blockchain

Blockchain is about a decade old, however it is still too complex to be understood and used by the common man. The technology has a lot of opportunities to offer, and yet not enough people are benefiting from using blockchain, though this will hopefully change in time. This will gradually start to change in 2019. Many researchers and developers will invest their efforts into actualizing the potential of blockchain and increasing the adoption of technology by the masses. For example, IBM is already employing blockchain’s potential for applications other than cryptocurrency.

Furthermore, the role of blockchain in the internet of things (IoT) will see an increase. According to the IDC report, by 2019, 20% of all IoT deployments will have basic levels of blockchain services enabled.

7. Augmented Analytics

In 2019, another trend in digital transformation that needs to be considered is augmented analytics. At the stage that we are at, processing all that data and exploring all possibilities is quite impossible for data scientists. Some critical insights might be being missed by businesses. Citizen data scientists play a part at this point. Their job is to analyse and create business models and data for a company with the assistance of big data tools and technologies. They produce increased opportunities for businesses to be able to draw conclusions from their data by using automated algorithms that allow them to explore more hypotheses, search for patterns in the data and identify data sets. Gartner’s report predicts that by 2020, the number of citizen data scientists will multiply five times faster than professional data scientists.

8. AR before VR

Highly specialized applications and gaming mostly employ virtual reality (VR), however trends in digital transformation in 2019 see augmented reality (AR) playing a huge role. AR is already used very popularly, but in 2019 it will become even more prominently used. For example, Apple is already investing in AR, although an app because of which customers will be attracted towards buying AR hardware is yet to arrive. AR, along with MR (mixed reality) and VR will lead to new immersive experience.

Conclusion

In 2019, many digital transformation trends will start, while others have already started and will further develop over the course of the new year. On the whole, the way business is done in every industry will continue to change. It is that time when you can either risk extinction or rise above with digital transformation.