IoT ranked number one on emerging tech list

The Internet of Things (IoT) has been ranked number one on the Top Ten Emerging Technologies list for the second year running.

The list, released by CompTIA’s Emerging Technology Community, ranked emerging technologies based on the near-term business and financial opportunities they offer to IT channel firms and other companies in the technology industry.

The IoT is helping boost businesses’ efficiencies by “providing the data needed to improve marketing, increase sales and decrease costs”, according to the list. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) ranked second on the 2019 list, up from third position last year.

The advent of AI-driven chatbots and AI’s integration with everyday tools and websites has significantly changed the way customers interact with businesses.

However, AI makes the largest impact when it is used to improve data security, decision-making speed and accuracy, and employee output and training, according to Community Vice Chair and Smith.ai Head of Growth and Education Maddy Martin.

5G wireless came third.

“The development and deployment of 5G is going to enable business impact at a level few technologies ever have, providing wireless at the speed and latency needed for complex solutions like driverless vehicles,” said Community Chair and Microsoft Director of Partner Incentive Strategy and Program Design Michael Haines.

“Additionally, once fully deployed geographically, 5G will help emerging markets realise the same ‘speed of business’ as their mature counterparts,” he added.

“Solution providers that develop 5G-based solutions for specific industry applications will have profitable, early-mover advantages.”

Blockchain, serverless computing, robotics, 3D printing and biometrics also made the list.

CLaaS (C-Level as a Service) Management Solutions founder and Community leadership group member Julia Moisseeva said blockchain’s hype crash has allowed people to focus on building blockchain-based solutions to real industry problems.

“The trend of blockchain as a service (BaaS) is the one to watch. BaaS will be the enabler of significant revenue and cost-saving opportunities for cross-industry participants, especially those who don’t have the know-how or research and development (R&D) to develop their own blockchain. We are moving toward plug-and-play product suites,” she added.

The complete list can be viewed via CompTIA’s website.

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