Dell Technologies recently released a report asking business leaders from all over the world to predict the coming technology trends, especially in the machine and human interface industries like AI, machine learning and IoT.
More than 80 percent of the surveyed executives said they expect employees and machines will work as integrated teams within five years, with half saying they’re not sure what the implication sof that will be and the other half more optimistic, saying that automated systems will free up time for other tasks.
We’re entering the next era of human-machine partnerships with a divided vision of the future, according to the 3,800 people surveyed. The quantitative research was conducted by Vanson Bourne, and it was designed to follow the Dell Technologies study, “Realizing 2030: The Next Era of Human-Machine Partnerships.” That study forecasted that by 2030, emerging technologies will forge human partnerships with machines that are richer and more immersive than ever before, helping us surpass our limitations.
Not all was rosy, however. Almost half said that the more humans depend upon technology, the more we’ll have to lose in the event of a cyber-attack, and 50 percent said that we need clear protocols in the event that autonomous machines fail.
“You can understand why the business community is so polarized,” said Jeremy Burton, CMO, Dell Technologies. “There tends to be two extreme perspectives about the future: the anxiety-driven issue of human obsolescence or the optimistic view that technology will solve our greatest social problems. These differing viewpoints could make it difficult for organizations to prepare for a future that’s in flux and would certainly hamper leaders’ efforts to push through necessary change.”
The results indicate that businesses aren’t moving fast enough to adopt new tech or to overcome common barriers to operating as a successful digital business. Only 27 percent of businesses believe they are leading the way by ingraining digital in all they do, 42 percent don’t know whether they’ll be able to compete over the next decade, and the almost 60 percent of businesses report struggling to keep-up with the pace of change.
Main barriers to becoming a successful digital business in 2030 and beyond:
- Lack of a digital vision and strategy: 61%
- Lack of workforce readiness: 61%
- Technology constraints: 51%
- Time and money constraints: 37%
- Law and regulations: 20%
“We’re entering an era of monumental change,” said Burton. “Although business leaders harbor contrasting views of the future, they share common ground on the need to transform. Based on the many conversations I have with customers, I believe we’re reaching a pivotal moment in time. Businesses can either grasp the mantle, transform their IT, workforce and security and play a defining role in the future or be left behind.”
Ken Briodagh is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience under his belt. He is in love with technology and if he had his druthers would beta test everything from shoe phones to flying cars.Edited by
Ken Briodagh
