Innovation

AI, 5G and biometrics named top tech trends of 2020

photo provided by iStock

June 11, 2020

AI, 5G, internet of things, server-less computing and biometrics topped this year's list of emerging technologies, according to an annual ranking by the Computing Technology Industry Association.

Both AI and 5G moved up a spot from 2019 to take first and second place, respectively, and biometrics jumped two spots coming in fifth place. Server-less computing remained in fourth place, and the internet of things, which held the top spot in 2019, slid to the third spot on 2020's list. 

Drones and 3D printing, which held top spots in the past, dropped off the list completely. The rest of the 2020 rankings in order from the sixth spot to the 10th were:

• Augmented reality/virtual reality
• Blockchain
• Robotics
• Natural language processing.
• Quantum computing. Both quantum computing and natural languages are new additions to this year's list.

"Our ranking represents a consensus viewpoint that emerged after some spirited debate and discussion with the community," Michael Haines, director of partner incentive strategy and program design for Microsoft and chair of the CompTIA emerging technology community, said in the association's press release. The community includes industry executives and thought leaders with experience and insight into new technologies and how to create business opportunities and transform business operations.

"AI is probably going to have the most short-term impact as it becomes embedded in almost every software system and is used in process automation to make increasingly smarter systems," said John Rice, president of Think Channel LLC and member of the emerging technology community. "5G's effect will take a little longer to be seen, but will be no less impactful, providing the increased speed and decreased latency to give other technologies the foundation they need to reach their potential."

This is the third year the association has ranked the emerging technologies based the opportunities they present for new business and revenue.