What’s Trending in Tech for 2017?
January 10, 2022
2017 is shaping up to be a ground-breaking year for tech, as technologies like AI and AR are brought even further into the mainstream. As always, Ireland is at the cutting edge, with an engaged community of techies regularly meeting up to discuss the latest developments. Read on for our guide to some of the biggest tech trends to get excited about in 2017.
1. AR and VR
2016 was the year when Augmented Reality firmly cemented its place in the mainstream thanks to a little game called Pokémon Go. With over 20 million active users in the US alone, Pokémon Go became the most talked about game of the year and a genuine global phenomenon. Meanwhile, on the VR side, we saw the launch of Oculus Rift swiftly followed by a slew of game releases. When Microsoft announced in June that they were opening up the Windows Holographic platform to third parties, they shared their vision of Mixed Reality. Mixed Reality creates a world where the real and virtual are merged – offering a whole new realm of unique experiences. Definitely an exciting area to watch in 2017.
Interested in finding out more about AR and VR? Head along to 3Dcamp Dublin where like-minded folk will gather to discuss the latest developments in the industry.
2. AI & Machine Learning
It’s a technology that’s captivated generations of movie lovers, and it’s now become an area with increasing real-world implications. Artificial Intelligence, or AI, teaches machines to learn to do things by themselves. 2016 was a ground-breaking year for advances in AI. We saw Google’s DeepMind beat the complex Chinese game of Go, and an Indian start-up even used AI to predict Donald Trump’s presidential win. There’s no doubt about it, AI technology is already demonstrating a proven ability to positively impact our everyday lives. And 2017 is set to be the year Machine Learning and AI hit the mainstream.
If you want to find out more about Machine Learning, why not visit the Machine Learning MeetUp in Dublin?
3. Blockchain
Blockchain is a distributed database that makes online transactions more secure and trustworthy. It’s an integral part of Bitcoin, and offers a much-needed solution to the double-spending problem. Blockchain has been generating a lot of interest in the financial industry as a way of adding more security and trust to the sector. However, the technology is still throwing up some challenges and its development over the next 12 months will be fascinating to watch.
Keep up to date with everything Blockchain related in 2017 by joining the Blockchain Technology Dublin Meetup.
4. Big Data
Never before have we had access to such vast quantities of data. The question is what to do with it all. Step forward Big Data, which refers to various methods of analysing the huge amount of data collected from the internet and turning it into valuable insights. For example, we’ve recently seen Spotify use Big Data to provide a better service to its listeners by offering pre-sale tickets to concerts from their most listened-to artists. With Facebook recently investing over two hundred million euro in a new data centre, it’s clear that this is a trend that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
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