Before the pandemic, businesses considered the implementation of trend technologies as a way to save money and reduce operating costs. However, with the coronavirus outbreak, companies discovered other values of technologies, such as gaining a competitive edge, creating a culture focused on digital advances, and modernization. For instance, our experience also proved that automated medical records auditing and code validation processes can free up medical staff to focus on quality patient service and mission-critical tasks.
Leveraging new emerging technologies as a means of prospering
The coronavirus has forced organizations to reconsider every facet of their operations and introduce new emerging technologies to meet the requirements of a new reality. But are the current tech trends just a byproduct of COVID-19 or a long-lasting phenomenon? Our experts believe several post-pandemic trends will stick around after COVID-19 subsides. But which ones? Let’s find out together.
AI in all its manifestations
Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to be highly valuable in helping organizations adapt to the dynamic market environment and customer requirements. So, what we know for sure is that AI will continue to be one of the pivotal post-pandemic trends. With its ability to assist humans with diagnoses, detect certain behavioral patterns, recognize trends, and deliver a personalized digital experience many businesses have managed to weather the storm and remain competitive.
Today AI-based software and tools analyze vast volumes of data to discover underlying patterns, empowering systems to recognize speech, predict user behavior, and make decisions. What’s more, AI tools constantly learn and adapt using the obtained information. These capabilities make the technology helpful and applicable to nearly every industry and business area. Hence, AI popularity prompted the emergence of some sub-trends described below.
- The future is voice-first
While intelligent voice assistants have been on the rise since their inception, social distancing boosted the adoption of voice AI due to its touchless and covid-transmission preventing properties. As a result, many organizations leveraged the opportunities to deliver voice-enabled transactions and touch-free kiosks in response to increasing customer demand for convenience, hygiene, and safety.
- Chatbots for efficient customer service
With the heavy restrictions regarding direct customer service interactions, chatbots have become especially valuable. Additionally, realizing the need to connect with customers on their favorite platforms, the majority of brands embraced chatbots as part of social media strategies.
Amid the pandemic, businesses were forced to switch to telecommuting and sometimes even operate with reduced staff. Conversational AI tools assisted organizations with meeting the demand of call center inquiries, long wait queues, and the growing volume of online orders. Chatbots will continue to be among the featured post-pandemic trends as businesses rely on innovative ways to get work done and want to provide efficient customer service 24/7.
- Data-driven approach with advanced analytics
With all the latest advancements, we’d hardly consider intelligent data analytics one of the new emerging technologies. However, it will be paramount in analyzing and anticipating customer behavior, and responding proactively to changes. Today companies aggressively reconsider their information processing models and introduce AIOps, smart tools, and innovative approaches to data orchestration to help them gain accurate insights critical for better decision-making and a sustainable competitive edge.
Digital workplaces – revamping work for the digital era
Remote work is one of the post-pandemic trends likely to continue long past the coronavirus crisis that spawned it. About 1 in 4 Americans, or 26.7 percent, have been working remotely in 2021.
The working-from-home economy gave rise to information and communication technology trends in the office productivity app market and caused the increased demand for cloud-based services.
Collaboration software boomed as well. Video conferencing and communication tools have become a staple for corporate meetings that keep employees connected. Don’t expect these collaboration and video services to go away after the pandemic subsides, as these tools are already deeply rooted in our workflows and help reduce travel time and expenses.
Robotics in everyday life
Human reliance on technology grows each year, spurring the integration of robotics into workspaces. The advances in technology and COVID-19 outbreak literally accelerated the proliferation of robots and intelligent machines to fill the workforce gaps.
Since the pandemic onset, robotics tech has been getting more attention and more application methods. Today we can see machines that clean and disinfect public places and drones that deliver food or walk dogs. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) at hotels can check in, provide relevant information, and serve clients without human intervention. But this is just a preview of where robots will be in a few years.
Telemedicine: where are we now?
COVID-19 has demonstrated the actual functionality of healthcare IT solutions and technologies as essential tools that prevent viral shedding with teletherapy, remote monitoring, and diagnostics.
- Telehealth and teletherapy
Telemedicine addresses the difficulties of delivering healthcare services remotely through chat and video apps. Having a smartphone connected to the internet, people can connect with therapists to get primary care from the convenience of their homes.
- Remote diagnostics
Currently, experts emphasize the importance of tracking for effective pandemic crisis management. So, technologies enabling remote diagnostics, including wearables and healthcare IoT have taken center stage. With AI capabilities to accelerate and improve the diagnostics process, healthcare providers are now well equipped to predict and detect diseases faster and more accurately.
These vital changes in the healthcare sector will remain among the leading post-pandemic trends that will make healthcare more accessible and establish telemedicine firmly in the years to come.
Contactless convenience and safety
One trend we see emerging from the coronavirus pandemic is contactless technology. Rapid shifts in people’s habits have driven change and innovation on an immense scale, including the adoption of contactless experiences. Stores, hotels, and restaurants quickly responded to customer demands for safer options such as:
- Online shopping
- QR code ordering
- Touch-free payments
- Self-checkout
- Contact-free delivery
- Biometric check-ins
With safety and security likely to remain powerful drivers of customer behavior, contactless is here to stay.
Enhanced ecommerce with a virtual shopping experience
As people get used to the convenience of ecommerce and subscription services like Walmart+ and Amazon Prime, most online shoppers are unlikely to return to crowded stores. So, it’s hardly surprising that local stores that were closed during lockdowns are moving sales online in droves to reach their customers.
Some brands and established retailers have invested in AR and VR trend technologies to let consumers try products before purchase and simulate a physical shopping experience to drive engagement. Hence, the pandemic impelled retail businesses to go all in on their digital operations, and the momentum ecommerce has gained will remain in the post-covid world.
Online media and entertainment has produced overtones of socialization
New emerging technologies like streaming services, AR, and VR allowed the attendance of traditional events to be moved online. Streaming sports events and concerts, online training, and virtual 3D tours offered by museums and galleries have gained traction worldwide.
The consumption of online and social gaming also grew. The traffic from online gaming was up by 75 percent, compared to the increase in video streaming traffic, which went up by only 12 percent. People who invested in their gaming during the pandemic have continued playing even as physical activities opened back up. Moreover, e-gaming cultivates some forms of socialization that have added to their lasting attractiveness during and beyond the lockdown period.
Cybersecurity awareness grows along with spending
A growing share of funds was devoted to cybersecurity before the coronavirus pandemic. However, in 2020, cybersecurity spending reached a record high, garnering $11.4 billion. As most people started working remotely, businesses realized the need to adopt new emerging technologies like DevSecOps and even develop security solutions for a distributed working environment. In this regard, organizations actively enhance their business resilience by introducing stringent corporate security policies, establishing compliance risk management programs, and conducting practical training sessions to help employees telecommute safely.
Post-pandemic life: What will it look like?
Experts anticipate the key post-pandemic trends we’ve highlighted are here to stay and even take root more deeply in our daily lives. The majority of people surveyed agree and also think that these significant changes are more than twice as likely to remain after the crisis.
Businesses are beginning to test the capabilities of new emerging technologies, and soon they will realize the opportunities in front of them. As one of the leading industry experts, we know that these opportunities are limitless indeed. TEAM International has successfully delivered over 400 projects worldwide and helped companies ensure business resilience, cost-efficiency, and competitive edge regardless of external conditions and economic crises. If you want to learn how we can help your company, book your free consultation with our experts today.
