10 things that'll keep Tech / Digital CXOs awake at night in 2019

Hello Everyone!

Last year this time, I wrote an article about 10 things that will keep CIOs awake at night in 2018 which received positive feedback. Many of my Linkedin connections asked if I could do the same for 2019, hence this post :)

Here’s a quick summary of what I predicted & where I think we ended up:

Happy to see that most of 2018 predictions has been accurate.  

Now, let's see the Top 10 things that'll keep Tech / Digital CXOs awake at night in 2019.

1.   Automation

Last year, it was not all singing-and-dancing. However, this year, there’s a big drive for automation. Robotics has seen major breakthroughs in application of robots in the construction industry. Given that immigration and geopolitics are causing bottlenecks with trans-migration of people, there’s a bigger impetus for automation to do menial, dangerous and repetitive work. Drones are now pre-programmed to deliver-and-drop cargos. Driverless trucks are being used in contained mining sites. Bricklaying robots are being assembled to help keep up with housing demands. The list of practical uses of automation is endless.

2.   Artificial Intelligence

There are horror stories on how AI is set to takeover jobs and livelihood in a big way. Duplex, Azure and a few more have been making remarkable progress in this domain. However, AI of the future isn’t Artificial Intelligence, but Augmented Intelligence. Many of these tools have been able to help humans making key decisions and has potential to create alternative job streams. The technology is good in spotting trends that is missed by the human eye. From an optimist’s lens, I’d like to see more open and receptive attitude towards these development.

3.   Dawn of Data

He who has knowledge, has power. He who understands data, has power and knowledge. This year will see the rise of data. Tools such as Power BI and Tableau has improved data processing. The biggest improvement is speed and reliability of data processing. The key enabler here is cloud computing. This is leading decision makers to make better decisions. CXOs don’t only have to decide which tool to use, but also have the role to educate their organizations on how to use these tools effectively. A wrongly interpreted pie-chart could lead to poor decision making.

4.   Fluid Workforce

The next big thing for this year is the rise of the gig economy. As platforms are maturing in their application for various industries, CEOs and CHROs are facing challenges to attract and retain talents. Many talents are shying away from fixed-term employment for flexibility, mobility and ability to choose on projects they want to work for. This coupled with geo-political challenges are causing companies to think out of the box to attract the right people at the right time. Governments such as the US, UK and Germany are starting to recognize the potential of this market and introducing laws to protect and promote the gig economy.

5.   Blockchains or Roadblocks

So we got very excited with BitCoin in 2017. Now, it’s a cuss-word bandied about like Ponzi. The rise and fall of Bitcoin shouldn’t be misconstrued with the future and capabilities of blockchain. Blockchain, when understood, has immense potential to disrupt many traditional industries. The ability for a system to self-regulate and scale up seamlessly sounds almost dystopian. It is unfortunate that BitCoin, the pioneers of blockchain technology, has been exposed to speculative trading. However, the value this technology brings will see some new exciting companies to grow. 

6.   Is it a bird, or a drone?

Not too long ago, the skies were limited to those who can buy or lease planes (or a helicopter). Today, one can be a pilot as cheap as $10. Drones have taken the world by a storm. What started off as a hobbyist indulgence is now growing commercial values. This ranges from agricultural monitoring, aerial inspection up to last-mile logistics delivery. Companies like Zipline are saving lives by adapting the technology in rural Africa. We will be seeing a lot more news on the use-case for drones as well as growing regulations to manage them.

7.   Virtual Learning

There used to be a time when one had to invest years of their lives mastering knowledge in tertiary education. Today, virtual universities are springing up almost everywhere. Masterclasses by industry titans (Harvard, MIT and the likes) are being taught for a fraction of a fee. All this is possible with improved connectivity, better presentation tools and an open-minded class of learners. People are growing fond on the idea of picking and choosing exactly what they need to know, as opposed to being taught what they should know.

8.   Mixed Reality (Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality)

The VR, AR world has seen a big increase in demand. With the advent of 5G technology becoming commercial in 2020, many will see VR, AR use cases expand. People will be able to gain more insightful data using their smartphones, improved global positioning and real-time data exchanges. The best example is assessing how viral Pokemon Go became without these enablers.

9.   Connectivity

Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are both set to change our lives in 2019. The big shake-up is how affordable this technology has become due to manufacturing costs and materials costs. The software to enable these techs to “speak” has become more attractive as more coders join in to build beautiful new solutions. Wouldn't it be exciting to see your car driving itself from garage and waiting near the front gate, just when you are ready to leave for work?

10. Cybersecurity

With all things good, comes some things bad. I think 2019 is also the year where organized (and sometimes state-sponsored) cybersecurity threats become more prevalent. Good portion of general-use technologies of today are obsolete and vulnerable to hackers. We have seen incidents of cyber-attacks such as disabling of nuclear power stations, bringing down production on oil platforms and almost crippling the NHS in the UK. 2019 is ripe for cybersecurity experts to make their mark.

That's all for now...One thing I hope my readers will take away is that these predictions are not cast in stone but more of foresight to think about as we compete to grow this year. It shows the unlimited potential that exists and exciting times we live in.

Happy New Year 2019...