From generative artificial intelligence to augmented reality, major breakthroughs in applied technology are reshaping how we interact with devices and manage both work and personal tasks. Recent advancements in applied technology are on track to dramatically enhance user experiences, with capabilities such as AI-driven personalization and voice-activated interfaces changing how we work with and experience technology and the world around us.
New technologies can provide more intuitive, immersive and tailored interactions, which means businesses can more closely align their offerings with customers’ needs and preferences and professionals can be more creative and productive. Below, 20 Forbes Technology Council members discuss some of the most promising emerging developments in applied technology and how they’re poised to improve the UX of both your team and your customers.
1. Distributed Specialty Models
While large foundation AI models are here to stay, I think the biggest growth in AI will come from distributed specialty models. These models will be federated and trained on local, contextualized data, making them much more effective and performant. As we see AI models distributed out to the edges, we will also start to see more solutions around governance and safety. – Stacey Shulman, Intel Corporation
2. Generative AI
People want to engage with systems in ways that mimic natural conversation, use vocabulary they understand and are hyper-personalized. GenAI’s ability to harmonize interactions between humans and machines by allowing people to engage as if they are working with another person will revolutionize user experiences, creating a more intuitive and human-centric approach to modern work. – Lalitha Rajagopalan, ORO Labs, Inc.
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3. Extended Reality
One emerging technology revolutionizing user experiences is extended reality, which encompasses virtual, augmented and mixed reality. XR enables immersive, interactive digital environments that blend the physical and virtual worlds. This affords more engaging user interfaces by visualizing and manipulating digital content in a spatial context across gaming, education and remote collaboration. – Arthur Miller
4. Time-State Analytics
Time-state analytics is a system for efficient, real-time stateful data processing at scale. It can compute user experience metrics (such as time to successful login) versus stateless metrics (such as 404 errors). With time-state analytics, companies get real-time visibility into the user experience and native unification and synchronization of all their data across systems, positively boosting system performance and UX. – Aditya Ganjam, Conviva
5. AR
Augmented reality can revolutionize navigation, giving you real-time directions wherever you look. AR seamlessly blends digital content with the real world, creating a whole new way to interact with information and services. Some exciting examples include virtual try-ons, interactive experiences and effortless navigation. As technology evolves, more amazing AR applications will emerge in the near future. – Sadagopan S, HCLTech
6. AI
Artificial intelligence will fundamentally simplify and streamline all routine activities requiring large data analysis, including supplier compliance auditing, testing new software and products, planning processes and making predictions in dynamic environments. AI also provides a significant advantage in the maintenance of deployed systems, where continuous learning reduces the effort needed to keep a solution up to date. – Filip Dvorak, Filuta AI
7. Low-Code Platforms
While not as flashy as AI, low-code and no-code platforms are truly enabling business change. Putting that power in a business’ hands is a game-changer when it comes to improving agility. – Richard Ricks, Silver Tree Consulting and Services
8. Composable Applications
Composable applications are an emerging capability that allows developers to combine components from multiple applications into a new, unified application without modifying the original applications. As an example, imagine a call center application that presents all the information and functions that an operator needs to quickly resolve customer issues—usually spread across several applications—all on one screen. – Jim Barrett, Edge Total Intelligence
9. Open-Source LLMs
Readily accessible open-source large language models are being built into many applications and are revolutionizing the user experience. With LLMs, users can direct apps to undertake a wide range of tasks simply by telling them what they want. Tasks that were too difficult to assign because of their complexity can now be described verbally with unprecedented speed and ease. – Josh Dunham, Reveel
10. Web3 Integration With AI And XR
Web3’s integration with AI and XR is transformative, providing secure and decentralized knowledge-sharing while enhancing user autonomy and trust in virtual spaces. This leads to groundbreaking user empowerment of all creators. – Tim Bates, Oppos
11. Post-Quantum Cryptography
Post-quantum cryptography is a key development. Users will not notice this change as interfaces will stay the same, yet it will dramatically change the security of people’s and businesses’ data. Quantum-safe encryption can protect all data exchanged online from so-called “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, where encrypted data is stored today to decrypt later once quantum computers become a reality. – Matthias Pfau, Tuta
12. Purpose-Built AI Manufacturing Solutions
By deploying purpose-built AI solutions, manufacturers will be able to focus on improving machine health and reliability through prescriptive maintenance. With the power of anomaly detection and diagnostics, the technology will empower data-driven insights that lead directly to solutions. AI doesn’t just drive user engagement and autonomy; it also supports the larger goal of complete digital transformation. – Saar Yoskovitz, Augury
13. Haptic Technology
The development of advanced haptic technology will enable users to feel and interact with digital objects in a more realistic way. This could revolutionize experiences in gaming, education, product design and even communication, creating a more immersive and engaging user experience that transcends the visual and auditory senses. – Oleksandr Mykolaienko, Tallium Inc.
14. Smart Fabric
Smart fabric and wearable technology are evolving to include sensors that monitor health in real time. I’m exploring how clothes can track vital stats and adjust to events such as changes in humidity, improving both comfort and safety. Imagine shirts that cool you during workouts. This could transform personal healthcare and environmental interaction. – Gergo Vari, Lensa, Inc.
15. Neuroadaptive Technology And Brain-Computer Interfaces
Neuroadaptive technology and brain-computer interfaces promise transformative user experiences. Indeed, they can revolutionize accessibility as well as personalization. They’ll likely see gradual adoption going forward, starting in specialized areas such as healthcare, as ethical and security concerns are navigated. – Dan Sorensen, Air National Guard
16. Data Streaming
Data streaming for real-time, AI-powered user experiences will replace many of the traditional experiences that today’s software provides. We can enable AI models by feeding them quality training data so that agents can pull and surface data from any system at any time. This enhances the accuracy of AI responses and ensures users get the right information quickly, delivering a new type of value. – Stephen Hsu, Calendly
17. The Industrial Metaverse
The industrial metaverse is poised to revolutionize the user experience for the manufacturing industry. Instead of having to be on site to interact with heavy machinery, users can instantly access critical infrastructure from anywhere, making processes much more efficient and significantly lowering safety risks. The collaborative environment benefits both new and established users in the industry. – Simon Bennett, AVEVA
18. Synthetic Data Generation
Synthetic data generation will revolutionize technology in general, because every system will become an AI system powered by data that’s been artificially generated for that system’s particular purpose. AI built by AI-generated data is the future. – Gonçalo Ribeiro, YData
19. Wearable Health Devices
The integration of wearable devices equipped with biosensors into healthcare is revolutionizing user experiences by enabling personalized, proactive and continuous health monitoring. As technology continues to advance and these devices become more accessible and user-friendly, they have the potential to transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes worldwide. – Frank Chan, Medtronic
20. Blockchain Technology
Emerging blockchain technology facilitates decentralized identity systems where users maintain control over their personal data. This method revolutionizes secure and transparent verification processes for online transactions and digital interactions. It ensures privacy and user control across various digital platforms, enhancing security and convenience. – Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech
