Computers have been around for quite some time, and new technologies emerge with each passing day. To understand existing technologies and developments around us, we must keep an eye on emerging trends . Emerging trends are state-of-the-art technologies that gain popularity and set new trends among users, making a huge impact on the digital economy and digital societies.
Artificial Intelligence endeavors to simulate the natural intelligence of human beings into machines, making them behave intelligently. An intelligent machine is supposed to imitate cognitive functions of humans like learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. To perform tasks with minimum human intervention, AI systems are programmed to create a knowledge base and make decisions based on it.
Technical Profile: Knowledge Base
Machine Learning is a subsystem of Artificial Intelligence wherein computers have the ability to learn from data using statistical techniques without being explicitly programmed by a human being. It comprises algorithms (called models) that use data to learn on their own and make predictions.
Natural Language Processing (NLP) deals with the interaction between humans and computers using human spoken languages, such as Hindi, English, etc. It enables features like predictive typing, spell checking, search engine suggestions, and voice-controlled devices.
Technical Profile: Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Activity 3.1: Find out how NLP is helping differently-abled persons?
Socio-Technical Analysis & Core Systemic Impact: NLP enables speech-to-\text and \text-to-speech systems, allowing visually impaired individuals to listen to written \text and hearing-impaired individuals to read spoken words. Voice-controlled interfaces allow physically challenged individuals to operate computers and smart devices hands-free.
Immersive experiences allow users to visualize, feel, and react by stimulating their senses, making interactions more realistic and engaging. They are achieved using Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
A robot is a machine capable of carrying out one or more tasks automatically with accuracy and precision. Unlike other machines, a robot is programmable by a computer and can follow instructions given through computer programs.
With technology making inroads into almost every sphere of our lives, data is being produced at a colossal rate. Around $2.5$ quintillion bytes of data are created each day. This results in the generation of datasets of enormous volume and complexity called Big Data , which cannot be processed and analyzed using traditional database management tools.
Big Data exhibits five distinct characteristics (the 5 Vs):
Data Analytics is the process of examining datasets in order to draw conclusions about the information they contain, with the aid of specialized systems and software. It is widely used in commercial industries to make informed business decisions and in science to verify or disprove scientific models.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices that have embedded hardware and software to communicate, connect, and exchange data with other devices on the same network. It brings together isolated devices (like microwave ovens, air conditioners, door locks, and CCTV cameras) to work in collaboration with minimum human intervention.
Web of Things (WoT) allows the use of web services to connect and integrate physical things with the web, providing a single interface to connect and control diverse devices instead of using multiple independent applications.
Sensors are monitoring and observing elements in real-world applications. A smart sensor is a device that takes input from the physical environment and uses built-in computing resources to perform predefined functions upon detection of specific input before passing it on.
A Smart City uses computer and communication technology along with IoT to manage and distribute resources efficiently. It optimizes transportation, power plants, water supply networks, waste management, law enforcement, and community services.
Figure 3.11: Smart City Infrastructure Analysis
Socio-Technical Analysis & Core Systemic Impact: Smart buildings use sensors to detect earthquake tremors and warn nearby buildings. Smart bridges use wireless sensors to detect loose bolts, cracks, or structural failures and alert authorities via SMS. Smart tunnels monitor leakages or traffic congestion, sending wireless signals to a centralized computer for real-time analysis.
Cloud Computing is an emerging trend in IT where computer-based services (software, hardware, servers, databases, storage) are delivered over the Internet on a pay-per-use basis. It allows users to run large applications without having high-end local storage or processing power.
Cloud services are categorized into three standard delivery models:
| Cloud Service Model | Technical Definition & Scope | Key Resources Provided | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) | Provides raw computing infrastructure over the cloud, outsourcing hardware requirements. | Servers, Virtual Machines (VMs), storage, backup facilities, operating systems. | Amazon EC2, Microsoft Azure VMs |
| Platform as a Service (PaaS) | Provides a pre-configured environment to develop, test, deploy, and deliver software applications. | Database engines, web servers, runtime environments, development tools. | Google App Engine, Apache pre-configured servers |
| Software as a Service (SaaS) | Provides on-demand access to fully functional application software over the web. | End-user applications, cloud storage interfaces. | Google Docs, Microsoft Office 365, Dropbox |
MeghRaj: The Government of India's "GI Cloud" initiative to utilize and harness the benefits of cloud computing for public administration.
A grid is a computer network of geographically dispersed and heterogeneous computational resources. Unlike cloud computing, which focuses on service delivery, grid computing is application-specific and creates a virtual supercomputer to solve computationally intense scientific and research problems.
A blockchain is a system that allows a group of connected computers to maintain a single, updated, and secure ledger. It works on the concept of a decentralized and shared database where each computer (node) has a copy of the database.
Technical Profile: Blockchain Technology
Socio-Technical Applications of Blockchain
Socio-Technical Analysis & Core Systemic Impact:
1. Healthcare: Secure data sharing between healthcare providers leads to accurate diagnoses and cost-effective care.
2. Land Registration: Prevents disputes arising from land ownership claims and unauthorized encroachments.
3. Voting Systems: A blockchain-based voting system prevents vote alteration, ensuring transparent and authentic elections.
| Column A (Scenario) | Column B (Technology Category) |
|---|---|
| 1. You got a reminder to take medication | D. Smart Health |
| 2. You got an SMS alert that you forgot to lock the door | C. Home Automation |
| 3. You got an SMS alert that parking space is available near your block | A. Smart Parking |
| 4. You turned off your LED TV from your wrist watch | B. Smart Wearable |