New developments in tech have changed the world ever since someone discovered that round stones roll. But in the past few decades, technological advancements have moved at an unprecedented rate. Think about all the ways that the internet and smartphones have forever changed the way we live.

A big part of that revolution has been thanks to software. Software companies lead this latest wave of the technological revolution, in large part because their applications have created new possibilities in finance, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and pretty much every other area you can think of.

As we move deeper into 2020, several trends in tech have generated a lot of excitement as both corporations and consumers consider the changes these developments will bring to the way we live and work.

Here are a few exciting trends in tech for 2020:

• Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

• Virtual Reality

• Self Driving Cars

• 5G Networks

• Artificial Intelligence

Each one of these dynamic trends is powered by the software behind it, creating exciting opportunities for professionals in all areas of the product life cycle, from software sales to implementation. Let's take a deeper dive and look at each area.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

These two words are still fairly mysterious to the average consumer. Cryptocurrency is essentially a digital form of currency that is not regulated by any government or issued by a bank, allowing it to easily transcend international boundaries. Integral to the concept of cryptocurrency is the idea of blockchain, which is essentially a decentralized accounting ledger that records every transaction and prevents fraudulent activity like duplicate spending.

But as it turns out, blockchain will have serious implications far beyond keeping track of electronic money. The idea of a decentralized ledger is great for reducing operational costs, tracing transactions back to their source, and increasing security by decreasing reliance on a vulnerable, centralized datacenter. Companies in supply and logistics, health, and other industries are getting on board with the idea of blockchain, some of which include FedEx, IBM, Walmart and Mastercard.

Virtual Reality

Hearing “virtual reality” probably makes you think of blasting spaceships apart or wielding a flaming sword, but virtual reality is not just about video games. Virtual reality (or VR) involves immersing the user in a computer-generated world, which is proving of great use in training for pilots, surgeons, construction workers, and other professionals who benefit from a hands-on approach to education.

Cousins to VR includes augmented reality (AR), where digital objects are overlaid onto real-world backgrounds via a screen display. Amazon has started to utilize this feature to allow shoppers to virtually place objects in a room and check them out from multiple angles—all from their smartphone. Mixed reality (MR) allows users to interact with these digitally overlaid objects (like catching a holographic Pokemon). VR in the entertainment industry is certainly on the rise, but it will likely see even more extensive use across varying industries for training simulations and improving online retail conversion rates (to name a few).

Self Driving Cars

A quick look around the road will tell you that we haven’t yet reached the point of routine travel in autonomous vehicles—but it doesn’t seem too far off, and the idea of self-driving cars continues to generate a lot of excitement and speculation. Increasing the excitement is the optimism of Elon Musk, who estimates that Tesla will be able to deliver a totally autonomous vehicle by 2021. Other companies like Ford and General Motors (GM) are actively developing self driving cars.

Overland trucking and shipping will also be impacted by the advent of reliable automated transportation, which will in turn shake up the logistics industry. Ancillary software systems for in-car entertainment, security, and navigation will also likely become more reliant and dependent on captured data. Waymo, a sister company to internet search giant Google, recently completed a trial of automated taxis in the Golden State, ferrying more than 6,000 passengers to their destinations in the first month.

5G Networks

Many people use their smartphones for a variety of functions other than communication, like playing games, streaming movies, and executing app-based functions. The bandwidth of a device’s connectivity directly impacts how much information it can collect and transfer, which in turn corresponds to the quality of that device’s performance. 5G is the most advanced modality of internet connectivity to date, and it’s already been rolled out in select areas.

But 5G is about more than stable wifi connections and faster streaming for Netflix. 5G will allow machines, robots, and autonomous vehicles (like self-driving cars and drones) to process more data, leading to noticeable advances in smart machinery and the internet of things (IoT), the wireless connectivity of devices that no longer require direct human computation. While Verizon is one large, well-known company leading the 5G charge, there are dozens of other related companies like Ericsson, Nokia, and Qualcomm that will also play significant roles.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used by business to improve customer experiences and improve the efficiency of daily operations. The development and deployment of increasingly powerful AI systems will certainly continue into 2020, as algorithms get even more refined, nuanced, and useful for both consumers and businesses.

Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are just a few of the companies with SaaS offerings leading the way in the AI revolution, but more software companies are forming, many of them with a niche dedication such as online retail, healthcare, or logistics. For example, social media platforms like Facebook have used AI to improve user experience and engagement while also increasing the power and relevance of PPC (pay per click) advertising. But beyond the screen, machine based learning will certainly have revolutionary effects in every industry.

Software is leading the way

None of these exciting applications would go anywhere if it weren’t for the software behind them. And while the biggest names in the tech industry still seem to retain their market shares, dozens (if not hundreds) of other software companies and tech businesses have capitalized on the growth of tech within the past few decades.

These companies are poised to grow and offer their services to an increasingly wider global market. As such, they will need excellent teams of qualified professionals in software sales to help lead the way—the perfect opportunity for individuals searching for a step up among software sales jobs.

A software sales recruiter can help you get on the bandwagon of exciting tech trends, so let’s talk about how you might fit into some of these exciting developments. Send me a message at mike@michaelblair.com and let me know where you would like to go in 2020.