In 2016, the tech landscape was filled with significant events. Google's AlphaGo made headlines by defeating world champion Lee Sedol in the ancient game of Go, while blockchain technology experienced rapid advancement. Around the globe, governments were heavily investing in smart city initiatives. As in previous years, I’ll share my predictions for the upcoming trends in big data for 2017. Over the past few years, I’ve highlighted big data trends for 2014, 2015, and 2016. 2017 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for big data. After years of hype, we're finally moving beyond the buzz and into actionable insights. That’s why I’m calling 2017 the "Smart Year." But what big data trends in 2017 will impact your organization? Let’s dive into the top seven big data trends for 2017.
1. **Blockchain 2.0: Smart Contracts Take Center Stage**
In 2016, blockchain technology garnered widespread media attention, rapidly advancing in the realm of distributed ledger systems. Its potential to transform organizations and societies is immense. Major financial institutions like the R3 consortium, comprising over 70 of the world's largest banks, are investing close to $60 million in blockchain development. Despite four prominent banks leaving the alliance, this demonstrates the seriousness with which banks are pursuing this technology.
However, transaction settlement isn’t the primary opportunity here; the real breakthrough lies in recording smart contracts on the blockchain. Smart contracts are essentially self-executing agreements written in code. Think of them as more sophisticated versions of IFTTT (If This Then That). When blockchains are interconnected, they can give rise to decentralized autonomous organizations.
The most notable smart contract platform is Ethereum, a decentralized application platform that operates without fraud, censorship, or third-party interference. Although Ethereum is still in its infancy and faces challenges such as handling complex interactions, its potential to connect irreversible smart contracts is vast. Startups like Synereo, Maidsafe, and the newer Ardor platform are all working towards building a decentralized internet. In 2017, we’ll likely see growth in these platforms, though they may also encounter some hurdles. Nonetheless, decentralized internet technology is steadily progressing, and smart contracts will become a key component of Blockchain 2.0.
2. **Deep Learning Gets Smarter: Bridging the Gap to General AI**
The algorithmic revolution is reshaping society, and 2016 marked a significant acceleration in algorithm development. From computers mastering Go to translating languages they’d never encountered to identifying criminals based on facial recognition, AI has made remarkable strides. But this is just the beginning—general AI is on the horizon.
General AI is becoming feasible thanks to 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 detecting patterns in vast datasets. With scientists now having access to more powerful computing resources and larger datasets, deep learning is gaining traction globally. In 2017, we’ll witness numerous deep learning applications that could profoundly impact our daily lives.
Deep learning algorithms aren’t programmed by humans; instead, they’re exposed to massive datasets—millions of videos, images, articles, and more. Through exposure, they learn to identify objects, sentences, and images independently. For instance, a recent algorithm developed its own encryption method that humans couldn’t decipher. So, if your computer starts speaking in a cryptic code in 2017, don’t be surprised—it might just be smarter than you think.
3. **Conversational AI: Smart Applications Redefine Interaction**
In 2017, connected devices will become truly intelligent. Whether it’s robots, self-driving vehicles, drones, or any other IoT product, these devices will grow increasingly adept at understanding users and tailoring services to meet individual needs. Over-the-air software updates will reduce the need for frequent hardware upgrades.
When these smart devices integrate with conversational AI platforms like Siri, Alexa, Viv, Cortana, or Google Home, the possibilities are endless. Conversational AI will enable advanced interactions with these applications. Currently, these tools are mostly used for basic tasks like playing music or ordering food, but that’s about to change drastically.
Alexa users can already remotely start their car from home, but in the near future, you’ll be able to control nearly every device with your voice. Viv, the next-generation Siri, promises to handle virtually any task you throw at it. As Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella puts it, these smart applications represent the next wave of computing. In 2017, we’ll see them seamlessly integrating with IoT devices. With Amazon launching a startup accelerator focused on conversational AI, businesses will soon adopt these technologies to enhance customer engagement.
4. **IoT Data Breaches Pose Serious Risks**
The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand rapidly. In 2016, approximately 6.5 billion devices were connected to the internet, a number projected to reach 50 billion by 2020. That same year, we witnessed the first major IoT-related distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, which disrupted the internet across the eastern U.S. Botnets infected thousands of unsecured devices—routers, smart cameras, and more—and used them to launch DDoS attacks, causing widespread outages.
Unfortunately, similar breaches are likely to occur in 2017. IoT devices remain highly vulnerable due to poor security practices. Companies manufacturing everything from smart toothbrushes to connected toys often neglect data protection. Hackers could exploit vulnerabilities in these devices, allowing them to spy on families or disrupt entire networks. Governments and regulators must mandate stricter standards for securing IoT devices, as a single compromised endpoint can wreak havoc on an entire system.
Looking ahead, the convergence of big data, AI, and IoT presents both incredible opportunities and unprecedented risks. Organizations must prioritize security to ensure that the promise of smart technology remains intact.
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