Emerging Tech

Emerging technologies are shaping the TMT industry. Investment and adoption of them is the only way for companies to survive

Our expertise

At RDC we have been at the forefront of the TMT industry for decades. We were pioneers of the mobile revolution, taking a leading roll in SMS and MVNO. It seems hard to believe considering how far we’ve come, but these were once considered emerging technologies. Now, as a result of our decades of experience we are super forecasters. We can see the trends in emerging technology and can weed out the winners from the losers.
 
As a result, our market intelligence on emerging technologies is world class. Knowing the disruptive potential of emerging technologies, we provide effective strategies to stay ahead of the curve and future proof your business. With such a powerful understanding of the TMT landscape, we help you understand what emerging technologies are, how to implement them into your operations, the impacts they have on legacy technologies and systems, and which technologies are best suited for your needs. We lead the market in knowledge on technologies including large language modelling AI, IoT, big data, and cyber security. Explore these and the rest of our case studies here.
 
RDC can help you with:
  • Business models and business cases for new innovation
  • Go-to-market propositions development
  • Emerging technology market intelligence
  • Fund raising and investor relations
  • M&A to support emerging technology
  • Strategy to incorporate emerging technologies
  • Implementation of emerging technology into operations.

Defining emerging technology

A quick Google search sees endless links that define emerging technology in their own way. Each of these definitions highlight how significant the impact of emerging tech will be on society in the next few years. Unquestionably, innovation and novelty are front and centre in how we understand emerging technology.

The categories of emerging technology are constantly changing

Different sources identify different technologies as emerging. However there are several technologies that are consistently considered emerging. Typically, emerging technology cuts across multiple industries, however sector specific emerging tech exists. For example, cultured meat in agriculture, self-driving cars in transport and logistics, and 3D printing in manufacturing.

The key emerging technologies

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI enables machines to mimic cognitive functions associated with humanity. For example, learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. Given AIs human like abilities, it has use cases across industries including healthcare, finance, and transportation. Currently, AI falls into two categories:
  • Narrow, also known as weak AI, designed to perform specific tasks
  • General, also known as strong AI, can perform any intellectual task that a human can.

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT is a network of objects that collect and share data with one another. Embedded with sensors and software, devices (including vehicles, buildings, and watches) connect and communicate with one another. It enables remote control and monitoring as well as the ability to process and analyse large amounts of data. For this reason, IoT allows seamless integration of technology into everyday life.

Blockchain

Blockchain is a decentralized distributed digital ledger used to record transactions across a network of computers. Given that it is secure and tamper-proof, blockchain is a popular technology for financial transactions and digital asset management. On top of this there are a range of further applications blockchain is being used for e.g. supply chain management, voting systems, and identification.

Big Data

Big data is the vast amount of structured and unstructured data generated and collected every day. Social media, e-commerce, and IoT devices collect data. In brief, Machine learning and AI analyse and extract insights from the data to improve operations and decision making.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity protects digital assets from unauthorized access, use, disruption, modification, or destruction. It protects against hacking, malware, and phishing using firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, and regular security audits.

Robotics

Robots replicate physical tasks typically done by humans. In view of this, industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation use robots. Robotics split into two categories:
  • Industrial- robots used for tasks like welding and assembly
  • Service- robots used for tasks like customer service and personal assistance

Virtual Reality (VR)

Finally, VR is a simulated environment used to create immersive experiences. For example, exploring virtual worlds or simulating real-life scenarios. It is therefore well suited for use in industries such as gaming, defence, education, and healthcare.

Emerging technology trends to watch

Emerging technology are deeply impacted by both market and technological trends.

Progress in green technology

Green technology is a rapidly growing field aiming to reduce the negative impact of human activities on the environment. As people become increasingly concerned about climate change, air pollution, and energy security, governments and industries have made a significant push towards green technology development and implementation. The industrial push has led to progress in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. Companies in the TMT industry are as much a part of this trend as any other. All things considered, green technology plays a crucial role in reducing fossil fuel dependency and protecting our planet for future generations. Some examples of this are:
  • Low-carbon buildings emit little to no carbon across their lifespan. They require minimal heating and cooling, produce very little waste and pollution, and produce a portion of their own energy by leveraging solar, wind and geothermal energy
  • Carbon capture technology pulls carbon from the atmosphere where it can make synthetic fuel. Right now, it’s expensive and relatively small-scale, but developments may see costs fall
  • Renewable energy storage. In the transition to renewables, one key problem is working out how to make clean energy consistently available. In order to meet this demand, innovative companies around the world are developing unique long-term storage solutions for the power generated by renewable energy sources.

Large language models (LLM)

This is the engine driving the boom in AI we are witnessing. By framing all activities that come under the AI umbrella as language models, progress made in a specific field impacts another. As a result, we now see an exponential growth rate in the AI field which is beginning to affect every sector. Large language models are applicable to human speech, images, DNA, ferromagnetic resonance imagine, Wi-Fi signals, and more. This will undoubtedly have an unconceivably large impact on the global economy both positive and negative. For example, productivity will go through the roof and medicines will become tailored to your DNA.
 
The darker side of LLM led AI is one of intimacy and persuasion. Given that LLMs are able to indistinguishably replicate human behaviours in both text and speech, online authentication will have to evolve at an impossible pace. What’s more, there will be devastating consequences in human psychology as people sacrificing real human connection in favour of AI.

Emerging technology is what comes next

Change happens through emerging technologies. All of a sudden, we are witnessing huge impacts across life from industry to the home. It will champion efficient, sustainable, and innovative ways of doing things, to solve problems the of the day. Without reservation, we predict that emerging technology will create job opportunities and stimulate sustainable economic growth.

Emerging technology in today’s world

Unsurprisingly, emerging technologies are at different points in their evolution. In spite of this, many are already having a tangible impact across industry and everyday life.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

IIoT uses embedded sensors, cloud-based data, and interconnected devices to ensure better industrial performance. It leverages a wide range of tools for a business and applies smart techniques to gain a competitive edge.
 
IIoT improves inventory management and supply chain visibility, enhances product quality controls, provides real-time insights and increases asset security. To that end, IIoT provides productivity gains, cost and time savings, and safety improvements.

Quantum Computing

Business operations are due to improve up through Quantum Computing. Compared to classical computation, Quantum Computing massively increases speed and capacity using only a fraction of the memory a classical computer would for the same task. While the technology is not mature, hybrid approaches are being deployed to boost standard computer capacity A keen example of this is optimising logistics operations and enriching machine learning tools.

Emerging technology impacts everything

Emerging technologies are making a significant impact across industries, revolutionising the way businesses operate and transforming the way we live. In healthcare, AI is being used to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed up drug development. Financial institutions are using blockchain to streamline transactions and improve security. Further, manufacturing is being evolved using IoT to optimize production and improve supply chain efficiency. With all of these possibilities, the potential for societal evolution is enormous.
 
The business world will continue to be deeply affected by emerging technologies. At any rate, emerging technologies boost productivity, refreshes ideas, builds new markets and supports product development. As they grow, they will become consolidated and lose their classification as ‘emerging’.

How can we help?

  • Business case development
  • Programme management
  • Disruptive proposition development

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