5 Technologies That Will Transform Businesses, According to Gartner

The adoption of new technologies can help companies transform their business processes to increase productivity and profitability. Gartner has identified five technologies that businesses should consider adopting to achieve these new business capabilities.

The five technologies identified by Gartner are as follows:

The Digital Human
Satellite Communications
Miniature and Ambient IoT (Internet of Things)
Secure Computing
Autonomous and Adaptive Robots

These technologies have been chosen for their broad scope and ability to shape the digital future of organizations.

“These five technologies are potentially transformative and should be studied now due to their vast scope and ability to create new business models or significant capabilities,” said Nick Jones, Vice President and Distinguished Analyst at Gartner.

Satellite Communications

Satellite communications refer to technologies like SpaceX’s Starlink, which provide low-latency connectivity on Earth from satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). LEO technology is gaining interest as it could revolutionize how people and businesses communicate. However, Gartner advises caution due to its emerging nature and complexity.

Miniature and Ambient IoT Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) involves real-time communication and data sharing among physical devices to create an ecosystem of interconnected and constantly functioning devices powered by continuous electrical current, rather than batteries. Gartner describes “Tiny ambient IoT” as a technology that allows tracking and detection of objects without the complexity or cost of battery-powered devices.

Secure Computing

As data protection becomes increasingly critical, secure computing enables users to perform calculations on data while keeping the nature of the calculations encrypted and secure. Gartner notes that implementing secure computing poses challenges for businesses in terms of costs, skills, and performance but suggests emerging technologies like optical accelerators will be crucial for deployment.

The Digital Human

While the generic term “generative AI” is not explicitly on the list, the concept of the digital human, a subset of generative AI, is included. Digital humans are AI-created human representations that embody real people in various aspects such as personality, appearance, humor, knowledge, and more. Businesses have adopted digital humans to enhance engagement, but Gartner advises caution due to potential inappropriate behaviors and the need for rules.

Autonomous and Adaptive Drones and Robots

This term refers to robots or drones capable of performing functions independently with minimal or no human intervention and adapting to different environments. These devices can assist businesses in various ways, including lifting objects, monitoring, data capture, supervision, and more. Gartner warns of challenges associated with these technologies, including their limitations and business, legal, and ethical consequences.