10 tech predictions for 2020

Introduction

What is expected on the tech agenda for 2020? 2019 is coming to an end and we are entering a new decade where exciting new technologies will emerge. During December, we will each day post a new video of our Chief Digital Officer, Tim Frank Andersen, giving his take on the top tech themes for 2020. Hear about face recognition, drone delivery, Quantum supremacy and much more - starting from tomorrow. Tune in and let us hear your take on the area in the comment field. Enjoy!

Computer vision and facial recognition

Will computer vision allow reading our state of mind and even our intentions in the 2020s? Scary to think about, however, this is one of Tim Frank Andersen's predictions in the first video (out of 10) covering a prediction for 2020. Hear about the extreme development happening within the area of computer vision and facial recognition – such as already being able to pay with a smile in Alibaba and soon probably allowing us to leave most supermarkets with all your groceries without doing anything. Sounds convenient - or too scary?

CRISPR coming of age

Will 2020 be the year where gene-editing gets its commercial breakthrough? The technology called CRISPR is at least already "out there" enabling the eradication of genetic disorders. As the second tech prediction, Tim Frank Andersen looks into how far we have come and what to expect for the year to come as well as the possibilities and challenges with this technology such as the ethical dilemma.

Digital sustainability

Will new technologies help us conquer the world’s biggest challenges? We have ten years left to reach the 17 UN Sustainability Goals. Digital technologies are both a part of the problem, but also the necessary lever to get there. In this third video, Tim Frank Andersen predicts that 2020 will be all about how we do it: Less talk and more action. And digital technologies are going to play a major role.

In tech we trust?

Will 2020 be the year where the debate on trust will accelerate? Some claim we live in the post-truth era. Deepfakes keep getting better and better. Stories about how our data is being mistreated by the tech giants and our gadgets listening in on our conversations keep popping up. As the fourth tech prediction, Tim Frank Andersen looks into the growing cybercrime and AI’s ability to make serious decisions regarding our life – without the possibility to be traced or backtracked. 2020 will be the year where we all will have to take a stand on tech trust.

The maturity of additive manufacturing

Will Additive Manufacturing (AM) get its breakthrough and become widely used across several industries in 2020? The early 3D printers have been substituted by industry-grade AM processes and are being implemented in more businesses and industries like the automotive and aerospace every day. The technology has reached a maturity level and the viable business areas are growing as we speak, which fortunately we have Danish AM Hub to help business with. In this fifth video, Tim Frank Andersen predicts that 2020 will be the year where Additive manufacturing becomes mainstream.

Generative design

Will 2020 be the year of great commercial solutions made by Generative Design? The role of the designer is changing due to new technology. As the sixth tech prediction, Tim Frank Andersen looks into Generative design, its possibilities and how it allows you to specify the desired end-results and then let AI do the design work. The area is closely linked to 3D printing because the computer-generated designs can only be manufactured this way. Sounds exciting?

The dawn for drone delivery

Will we see drones flying over our heads with groceries and parcels in 2020? Packages delivered to us by drones are one of these crazy tech ideas we have been entertaining ourselves with for years that now suddenly seems to become a reality. UPS got an FAA approval in the US and Antworks got a similar one in China. As the seventh tech prediction, Tim Frank Andersen covers the extremely rapid development we are currently seeing in the field of drone delivery. Expect a much more widespread implementation in 2020.

The end of banks as we know them

Will 2020 be the year where we will see that the transformation of banking will speed up? Banks have come under extreme scrutiny and pressure the last years due to regulations, negative interest rates and the general digital transformation taking place in the industry. At the same time, Neobanks, non-bank Brands and Fintechs - such as the Danish banking app Lunar - with strong customer relations are moving in on their turf. In this eighth video, Tim Frank Andersen predicts that in 2020 we will see a change in power and the beginning of the end for traditional banks as we know them.

Cryptocurrency comeback

Will the crypto industry become more mainstream in 2020? Every day we are getting closer to a cashless society and we need to rethink our perception of money and value. Bitcoin and blockchain promised a solution - but it has been a bumpy ride. In this ninth prediction, Tim Frank Andersen looks into the fact that new stablecoin solutions seem to have solved most of the previous issues and it is time for a comeback for cryptocurrencies in 2020. Especially, look out for the Facebook cryptocurrency project, called Libra.

Quantum supremacy

Will we experience the dawn of quantum supremacy in 2020? Moore’s law is coming to an end. But new technologies are ready to take over. Quantum Computing is one of them - promising computer power that is millions of times faster than what we have today. But it is complex technology which only operates under extreme conditions. As the last video of our 10 tech prediction series, Tim Frank Andersen looks into how far companies have come already and predicts that we will see the first real example of Quantum Supremacy in 2020.