If you’ve seen the acronym, ‘4IR,’ littered around the internet you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s just another of Elon Musk’s progeny. In fact, it’s short for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, a term coined by Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Without going into too much detail, the 4IR is characterised by the convergence and complementarity of emerging technology domains, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, new materials, and advanced digital production technologies.
Most of us think that it’s about smarter phones and better technology for our fridges, but really, it marks massive changes to how we live, work, and relate to each other. Honestly, the things that are now possible because of the rise in technology domains is nothing short of incredible.
Here are the top 6 tech innovations that we believe are just the start of a new way of working, living, and protecting ourselves from digital threats.
-
Self-fertilising crops
Scientists are working to wean all crops from fertiliser-based growth, and soon, crops like corn and other cereals will be able to self-fertilise. The amount of fertiliser used in global crop production on an annual basis accounts for 1 to 2% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. To be able to reduce this contribution to the degradation of our planet is a major win.
-
Industry clouds
Wondering how the cloud could continue to have an impact? Well, with the advent of industry clouds, we’re able to use cloud and data platforms that are tailored to the needs of individual industries. It’s no longer a 1-size-fits-all service, because your business can benefit from using an industry cloud that offers services purpose-built for your specific industry. This technology is a game-changer for businesses, as it allows them to streamline their operations and improve their bottom line.
-
3D-printed houses
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is piloting the use of 3D-printed homes to help address South Africa’s housing shortfall. This innovation-based system makes the delivery of human settlements simpler, more affordable, and sustainable. The very idea of being able to feed concrete, sand, and plastics into a gigantic 3D printer that will then shoot out an actual home is mind-boggling, and this is definitely a tech trend to keep an eye on in South Africa.
-
Quantum computing
Quantum computing is a technology that uses quantum-mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. This technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we process and store data, making it possible to solve complex problems that are currently impossible to solve with classical computers.
-
Cybersecurity
Let’s be honest, it’s no longer just governments and certain businesses who use, manage, and store sensitive data. Not now that people, businesses, and organisations rely on the internet and their devices to run our lives, businesses, and everything else in between. Just think about how many sites have your credit card details saved. And if you’re a business, then you’re storing these details for hundreds and thousands of customers.
We absolutely need to make cybersecurity a priority, especially as cybercrime continues to rise. Not only should you make sure that you’re managing your cybersecurity, but you should also consider getting cyber insurance to cover you against the monumental costs associated with cyber crimes. If you want to find out a bit more about how to get affordable cyber insurance for your business, then just click here to check out this aptly named cybersure product.
-
Digital currency is advancing
Cryptocurrency may still be on the fringe of the finance sector, but it’s steadily becoming more acceptable and moving into the mainstream. Central banks in Sweden, Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom are considering their own digital currencies, while El Salvador made bitcoin legal tender in 2021. The demand for digital currency will continue to grow as the world advances.
These are just 6 tech trends to take note of, but they’re also just the beginning. Advancing technology has the potential to transform the way we live, work, and relate to each other, and it is important to keep an eye on them as they continue to develop and evolve.
