Businesses are speeding up innovation as they aim to be more competitive and better prepared for unprecedented times. The next few years will be full of technological surprises and disruption. In this piece, we shall examine some emerging technology trends in 2021 that can set the course for the next few years.

1. 9 Technology Trends that Will Rule 2021 and Beyond
COVID-19 has accelerated the innovation process. Every day we come across a new
technology that has the potential of changing the course of our lives. This pandemic has
reshaped trends, technological innovations, and the digital ecosystem. Along with this, our
perspective on life has changed, and we are digging ways to be more productive and
competitive through technology.
Businesses are speeding up innovation as they aim to be more competitive and better
prepared for unprecedented times. The next few years will be full of technological surprises
and disruption. In this piece, we shall examine some emerging technology trends in 2021
that can set the course for the next few years.
1. 5G Will Go Mainstream
The last few years have had enough hype around 5G and its impact, but in 2021, it may go
real. Given the remote work, digital collaboration, and videoconferencing becoming part of our
lives, the need for a reliable and fast connection has become super important. Gartner predicts
that by 2023, there will be more than 1 billion active users of 5G, which means more than
217% compound annual growth rate.
While it was a no-brainer for telecom companies, the deployment of 5G technology will rapidly
change various industries' dynamics. Companies playing with tools like AI, IoT, and customer
data-platforms will benefit the most, leading to improved insight into customer needs,
behaviors, and preferences.
2. Internet of Behaviors
Do not confuse the term with IoT. The Internet of Behaviors is meant to capture the "digital
dust" of people's lives from various sources. Public or private entities can use that data to read
and influence specific behavior, like following social distancing protocols.
Based on consumers' data regarding their buying patterns, driving routes, facial features,
government agency information, public sector information, and social media searches,
consumer behavior is influenced.
Gartner predicts that more than half of the global population will be under an IoB tool by 2025.
Given the implementation of COVID-19 protocols, we shall experience a boom in the internet
of behaviors in the year 2021. This will be phenomenal in monitoring and improving consumer
choices, priorities and actions.

2. 3. Distributed cloud
Cloud-based applications have captured markets by storm. More than 90% of firms are now
cloud-based. The stat clearly shows how integral are cloud-based technologies. Apart from
this, 60 percent of work is done on cloud-hosted servers. As the name suggests, distributed
cloud means cloud services allocated according to their physical location through public cloud
providers.
In 2021 distributed cloud-based technology will flourish for its many advantages mainly,
physical proximity, less latency, and lower cost of the data. Without a doubt, cloud distribution
is the future and the new normal.
4. Digital Health
This pandemic revealed the fragility of our system. The health of all the sectors suffered the
most. It was then the digital medical examination or digital health could to the rescue of
humanity. Globally the digital health market was worth around $88 billion in 2018. It is now
expected to grow over $500 billion by 2025.
In 2021 the digital health sector will develop sustainable, affordable, and scalable health
solutions. If anything, we know for sure, it is how rapidly our world will embrace technological
leaps. It is only a matter of a few years when every aspect of our lives will soon be surrounded
by digitalization.
5. Customer Data Platforms
In recent months, we have seen a rise in the development, adoption, and popularity of
customer data platforms (CDP). Since organizations could not take advantage of the
fragmented data scattered across different places, they needed well-curated data at a single
platform. Studies estimate that companies lose around $3 trillion due to bad data.
To help modern enterprises make the right and data-backed decisions, CDPs help solve the
problem by collecting data from multiple sources, organize it, label it, and make it usable for
decision-makers. 2021 will see a further rise in CDPs' adoption and popularity as they are
super vital for IoT, IoB, and AI-powered apps.
6. Remote Work and HR Tech
Forrester Research predicts long-term flourishment of remote work, HR technologies, and
greater automation. Employee experience (EX) in 2021 will be defined by long-term remote
work, and success will depend upon a firm's investments in HR technologies and ability to
manage the crisis.

3. The research firm suggests that less than one-third of the firms have employee experience
surveys. Some more have a voice-of-the-employee program, which is critical to measure and
improve employee experiences. In the future, managing employee experiences (EX) will be
super important, just like customer experience.
7. Rise of Ethical AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) and its byproducts are certainly improving and empowering, but
merely the thought of machines being granted the essence of consciousness that humans
have can have a devastating impact. The access to data, if not monitored, can also have dire
consequences. These apprehensions have pushed the demand for ethical AI.
Unlike the past, today's consumers and employees expect companies to adopt AI responsibly.
Over the next few years, firms will deliberately choose to do business with partners that commit
to data ethics and values.
8. E-sports
Up until a decade ago, the concept of online gaming, virtual matches, and sports was hard to
comprehend. The past few years and the pandemic resulted in a growing market of esports,
expected to surpass $1.5 billion by 2023.
When the pandemic hit us, it was noted that one-third of the online consumer subscribed to
virtual sports avenues. A flux of digital consumer was seen on video gaming, cloud gaming,
and virtual sports portal. It is reported that online video games are the most favorite hobby and
entertainment source for young consumers. Millennials and Gen Z customers are inclining
towards Esports more than ever now.
9. Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency
A digital asset or the online monetary equivalence, cryptocurrency is a huge market worth
over $265 billion. We will observe an increase in cryptocurrency users (currently around 40
million) in the coming years.
Blockchain tech and cryptocurrency are going to shine through in digital transactions in the
year 2021. The growing interest of businesses towards digitalization will increase the likelihood
of cryptocurrency and blockchain.
At Xavor, we help businesses take advantage of emerging technologies in a responsible
fashion and fuel their growth. If you are facing a technology challenge and need some support
down the road, feel free to reach us out. Having worked with Fortune 500 companies, our
team has experience of handling easy to complex projects.