Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and the internet of things (IoT) are three major forces shaping the world today -- and entrepreneurs everywhere are creating technology in ways that are beyond our current scope. So, how do we get to the world of tomorrow, and once we do, what will it actually look like? For a glimpse into the future, let’s look at the information technology (IT) leaders who are building the cities of tomorrow.
Equipping People To Protect Our Planet
One of the biggest challenges smart cities will face is building an infrastructure capable of powering all of a city’s technological components in an environmentally friendly way. This problem is at the forefront of urban planning, especially because of the rapid population growth. Recent studies have found that 54% of the world's population is currently living in cities, and they consume 78% of the world’s energy. By 2050, city dwellers will make up 66% of the world’s population.
Thankfully, forward-thinking leaders are already tackling problems like sustainability. Austin Shines, a Texas-based group, is building hybrid solutions to switch between grid and sun-charged power for both homes and businesses. This type of innovation is crucial as energy creation becomes more decentralized. We’ll soon be accustomed to sensors that detect fluctuations in voltage, temperature and current. AI and ML technology will be major players in these efforts, monitoring changes to adjust and optimize according to data.
Despite these technological breakthroughs, the human component is still necessary. IT professionals will find their roles augmented and expanded to observe performance "at the edge," where, sensors, panels and energy-generating components are deployed — even if they are miles away from the devices and hardware.
Keeping Our Streets Safe
Government agencies are already utilizing video monitoring tools to build a safer city for residents, but the sheer amount of data collected can be daunting to analyze. With the help of AI- and ML-powered tools, IT teams can analyze security footage to pinpoint the exact traits of a crime: Did the criminal carry a gun? What was the license plate number on the getaway car? Was the perpetrator’s sweatshirt black or gray? With businesses like Cortica, an Israeli company that offers AI-powered crime monitoring, we’re on the precipice of what is possible to keep people safe.
Drawing The Connection To People, Places And Things
IoT is found everywhere. Have you asked Alexa about the weather or to play a song for you? This is just the beginning of IoT capabilities, with more investment and innovation to come. IHS Markit forecasts the IoT market will grow to 125 billion by 2030.
More IoT products will produce an avalanche of data that the human brain cannot possibly keep up with, resulting in a dramatic increase of events and alerts that IT teams are required to manage. Even an enterprise of modest size can generate millions of events and alerts a day. Thankfully, automation technology can fight a significant part of this battle for weary, alert-fatigued teams. When networks go down and devices don’t work, AI can analyze and prioritize data from various sources to find patterns and anomalies and identify probable root causes.
Adding automation doesn’t equate to the elimination of all jobs or roles, either. Rather, it will spur growth and creation of new responsibilities and roles tasked with monitoring, analyzing and maintaining the technology that propels cities forward.
Finding IT In A Brave, New World
While individuals from across the world are confronting the complexity that change inevitably brings, we should remember that innovative solutions can tame challenges and expedite benefits. A new, tech-savvy superhero will emerge and join forces with our boots on the ground — like firefighters, EMTs or law enforcement officers. The future may look hazy, but one detail remains crystal clear: We need the IT leaders of today to continue shaping tomorrow’s technology.
