The year 2016 was full of surprises, from Google's AlphaGo defeating world champion Lee Sedol in Go to the rapid advancement of blockchain technology. Governments worldwide are heavily investing in smart city initiatives. As I’ve done in past years, I’ll share some predictions for the big data trends we can expect in 2017. In 2014, 2015, and 2016, I covered various aspects of big data, and now, 2017 looks poised to be a landmark year for this field. The hype around big data is finally dying down, allowing us to focus on practical applications. Hence, I’m calling 2017 the “Smart Year.†So, what big data trends in 2017 will impact your organization? Let’s explore the top seven trends shaping the future of big data.
1. Smart Contracts on Blockchain: The Next Evolution
In 2016, blockchain technology gained significant media attention and made substantial strides in the realm of distributed ledger systems. This innovation has the potential to transform organizations and societies at large. Many institutions are actively exploring blockchain-based solutions. The R3 consortium, comprising over 70 of the world's leading banks, has invested close to $60 million in developing its own blockchain platform. Although four prominent banks have exited the alliance, this demonstrates that the banking sector remains committed to exploring blockchain technology further.
However, while transaction settlement represents one aspect of blockchain’s potential, its true value lies in recording smart contracts on the blockchain. Smart contracts are essentially traditional contracts encoded into lines of code, similar to IFTTT logic but far more sophisticated. When multiple blockchains interact, entirely new organizational structures—such as decentralized autonomous organizations—can emerge.
The most notable smart contract platform today is Ethereum. Ethereum is a decentralized application platform (dApp) that operates autonomously without the risk of fraud or censorship. Despite being relatively young and facing challenges like handling complex interactions, Ethereum presents vast opportunities for creating irreversible smart contracts. Startups like Synereo, Maidsafe, and the newer Ardor platform are all working towards building decentralized internets. In 2017, we’ll likely witness the growth of these platforms, though we may encounter some hiccups along the way. Nevertheless, decentralized internet technology is steadily progressing, and smart contracts will become a cornerstone of Blockchain 2.0.
2. Deep Learning Grows Smarter, Bringing Us Closer to General AI
The algorithmic industry holds immense potential to reshape society, and 2016 saw remarkable acceleration in algorithm development. Computers have mastered Go, translated languages they've never encountered, and even identified criminals based on facial images. Artificial intelligence isn’t stopping there—it’s moving toward general-purpose AI, akin to Apple’s Siri.
General AI is becoming feasible thanks to advancements in deep learning, a subset of machine learning inspired by the human brain’s neural networks. Its goal is to create artificial neural networks capable of identifying patterns in massive datasets. As scientists gain access to more powerful computing resources and larger datasets, deep learning is gaining popularity. In 2017, we’ll see numerous deep learning applications that could profoundly affect our daily lives.
Deep learning algorithms aren’t trained by humans—they’re exposed to vast datasets containing millions of videos, images, texts, etc., and must figure out how to distinguish between different objects, sentences, and images. Consequently, they can generate solutions that humans might never think of. For instance, a recent algorithm developed its own encryption method that humans couldn’t crack using patterns it had never seen before. If your computer starts speaking in what seems like a secret code in 2017, don’t be surprised—it might actually be happening.
3. Conversational AI: Smart Applications Will Transform Interaction
In 2017, connected devices will become genuinely intelligent. Robots, self-driving vehicles, drones, and other IoT products will grow increasingly intelligent, better understanding users and tailoring services to their needs. Over-the-air software updates will reduce the need to constantly buy new hardware.
When these smart devices connect to conversational AIs like Siri, Alexa, Viv, Cortana, or Google Home, endless possibilities arise. Conversational AI will enable advanced interactions with these smart applications. Until now, these tools have mainly been used to control phones, play music, or order food, but this will change drastically in 2017.
Alexa users already control their cars remotely, but soon you’ll be able to control virtually any device with your voice. Viv, the next-generation Siri, promises to handle anything you ask. As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella noted, these smart apps represent the next generation of software. In 2017, we’ll see these apps seamlessly integrate with IoT devices. With Amazon launching a new startup accelerator focused on conversational AI, businesses will soon adopt this technology to enhance customer engagement.
4. IoT Data Leaks Pose Serious Risks
The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to evolve rapidly. In 2016, approximately 6.5 billion devices were connected to the internet, a number expected to reach 50 billion by 2020. That same year, IoT-related distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks hit the headlines when they disrupted the internet across the eastern U.S. A botnet infected thousands of connected devices—like routers and smart cameras—and launched DDoS attacks, causing widespread outages.
Unfortunately, more IoT-related breaches could occur in 2017. Simply put, IoT-connected devices remain highly vulnerable due to insufficient security measures. Companies developing smart toothbrushes, cameras, children’s dolls, or any other connected gadget often overlook data protection. Hackers could exploit vulnerabilities in these devices to spy on families or disrupt entire networks. Governments and regulators must enforce stricter standards on IoT manufacturers to ensure maximum security since a single insecure device can compromise an entire network.
As the IoT landscape expands, securing these devices will become crucial—not just for individual users but for society as a whole.
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