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Emerging Technologies in Europe

The IDC EMEA Emtech Radar offers a glimpse into the developmental stages of the investigated technologies across three time horizons, which were determined by user expectations as to when these technologies will achieve broader adoption.

Emerging Tech Organizational Impact

Emerging Tech Organizational Impact Diagram Description

A radar chart displaying technology trends across five categories: Intelligence, Computing, Smart Interfaces, Augmented Experience, and Security, with projected timelines ranging from 2023 to beyond 2025. In 2023, predictive AI and IPA had a mid impact on the Intelligence category; edge computing had a small impact on the Computing category; robotics had a mid impact and IoT had a small impact on the Smart Interfaces category; virtual reality had a mid impact on the Augmented Experience category; and biometrics had a small impact on the Security category. Up to 2025, generative AI has a bit impact and descriptive AI has a mid impact on the Intelligence category; swarm computing has a small impact on the Computing category, augmented reality has a mid impact on Augmented Experience; web3 has a small impact on the Augmented Experience and the Security categories; and blockchain has a small impact on Security. Beyond 2025, AGI systems will have a mid impact on the Intelligence category; quantum technologies will have a small impact on the Computing category; brain computing interfaces will have a small impact on the Smart Interfaces category; spatial computing will have a mid impact on the Augmented Experience category; and post-quantum cryptography will have a small impact on the Security category.

We have identified three main features that a technology needs to coexist in order to be defined as emerging technology

Early maturity stage

The technology needs to be in an early stage, meaning that:

  • It is beyond the conceptual phase
  • It is still in the development phase
  • It already has a real business application

Changing the status quo

The technology must be able to change the status quo. It must be able to provide new way of working and living.

For example, industrial AR/VR solutions. Which are changing the way how employees are carrying out maintenance processes in manufacturing. And how training in the healthcare sector is provided, for example surgical training.

Broad but still uncertain impact

We either refer to broad impact in terms of the industry scope, or broad in the number of applications it has in the same industry.

Those applications are, however, uncertain, meaning that they can be either uncertain in the outcome, or in the fact that they bear some potential risks.

Key Uses for Emerging Technologies

  • Next-Level CX

    Next-Level CX

    Raiffeisen Informatik has deployed Juniper solutions to modernize and automate its network infrastructure to provide exceptional services for its customers.

  • Connected Enterprise

    Connected Enterprise

    T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom launched T-loT, a distruptive new loT solution designed to simplify global loT connectivity for enterprises

  • Digitized Logistics

    Digitized Logistics

    Digitization of logistics though ioT and AI systems to improve efficiency and sustainability, as well as to monitor goods flows to order processing - all from a single source

  • Enhanced Computation

    Enhanced Computation

    In 2022, HSBC and IBM announced that they will work together on exploring applications for quantum computing in financial services.

  • Intelligence Everywhere

    Intelligence Everywhere

    IBM partners with Adobe, around the use of artificial intelligence-powered weather data from The Weather Company, an IBM Business, on the Adobe Experience Platform

  • Technology With Purpose

    Technology With Purpose

    Robotics and ML for waste management to allow for smaller, more precise, safer, and profitable demolition recycling.

New Trends to Keep an Eye on

Deep Tech

Deep tech refers to those technologies that are based on high tech innovation in engineering, or significant scientific advances. Deep tech applications aim at achieving real improvement in human lives and society, rather than business improvement.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computing harnesses and exploits quantum mechanics like superposition and entanglement to manipulate enormous combinations of states at once for computations and to process information on a large scale.

Multimodal AI

A new AI paradigm in which various data types are combined with multiple intelligence processing algorithms to achieve higher performance levels in terms of accuracy, context, experiences, and insights for various business processes across industries.

Our Research Focus Areas

5G

Given the speeds and capacity that 5G networks promise, they have the potential to be an indispensable technology to accelerate digital transformation and innovation.
5G is the fifth generation mobile network, and will usher in the fourth industrial revolution and change the economy.

IoT

Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of smart, interconnected devices and services that are capable of sensing or even listening to requests.
IoT solutions can be leveraged for many tasks, ranging from connecting devices, systems, and people, or simply exchanging data, to intelligent, real-world applications enabling environments such as factories and smart cities.

Block Chain

Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger technology in which transactions are recorded with an immutable cryptographic signature.
It is the perfect technology for organizations looking for more trust, security, transparency, and traceability of data shared across a business network, achieving cost savings and new efficiencies.

Biometrics

Biometrics is the most suitable means of identifying and authenticating individuals reliably and quickly. Unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, iris scans, facial recognition, and voice are highly valued identifiers because they are universal, specific, measurable, and documentable. And unlike passwords, KYC responses or authentication tokens, users can't forget or misplace their biometrics.

AR/VR

Augmented and virtual reality represent a major revolution in the way we interact with computers. From remote team collaboration to training and industrial maintenance, this technology is revolutionizing how we look at the world.

Quantum computing

Quantum computing is defined as a technology that harnesses and exploits quantum mechanics like superposition and entanglement to manipulate enormous combinations of states at once for computations and to process information on a large scale. There are many areas in which the superior power and intelligence of quantum technologies can be leveraged, from technology and hospitality to defense and construction.

Edge computing

Edge computing is a distributed computing framework that brings enterprise applications closer to data sources such as IoT devices or local edge servers.
This proximity to data at its source can deliver strong business benefits, including faster insights, improved response times, and better bandwidth availability.

Robotics

Robots are widely used in industries such as automobile manufacture to perform simple repetitive tasks and in industries where work must be performed in environments that are hazardous to humans.
Enhanced safety, speed, and higher productivity are just a few of the many advantages that organizations achieve through this technology.

AI

Artificial intelligence is the basis for mimicking human intelligence processes through the creation and application of algorithms built into a dynamic computing environment. It forms the basis for all computer learning and is the future of all complex decision making, leveraging the incredible amount of data generated by both humans and machines.

Related Resources

Meet the Team

Neil Ward-Dutton

Vice president, Artificial Intelligence practice lead

Francesca Ciarletta

Group Vice President, Investment Research

Lapo Fioretti

Senior Research Analyst, Emerging Technologies and Macroeconomics

Andrea Minonne

Senior research analyst, Augmented Humanity launchpad lead

Carla La Croce

Senior research analyst

Gabriele Roberti

Senior research manager, IoT and Edge practice lead

Stefano Perini

Senior research analyst, Quantum Computing launchpad lead

Giulia Carosella

Research manager, European Digital Transformation practice lead

Alexandra Rotaru

Research analyst

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