Technology is always changing. For job seekers, new technology brings new opportunities. For example, “generative AI” exploded in 2023. And it has already spawned its own ecosystem of startups and jobs.
When new tech emerges, early adopters stand to benefit. If you learn the hottest new tech skills and tools, you can stand apart from other job seekers. Employers could see you as a leader. You could even carve out your own niche of expertise as an entrepreneur.
Any technology role requires continuous learning. So if you aspire to work in tech, following what’s new is key.
Are you ready? Let’s dive into the four hot tech trends to know right now.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are all around us
AI might sound scary and mysterious. But, as a concept it’s simple. AI is any computer system that learns behaviors that once required human skills.
For example, machine learning (ML) is a basic form of AI. ML might learn how to score sales leads for a business by observing how a human does so. Once it recognizes patterns in the data, it can repeat those patterns and score the leads itself. Another example use case would be recognizing speech. This would allow AI to auto-generate captions for a video.
So why is AI such a hot trend today? New AI technologies are anything but simple. Generative AI exploded onto the scene in 2023, changing everything. Generative AI is a type of AI that relies on large language models (LLMs). LLMs train on massive data sets. They ingest so much information, they can create their own unique outputs. For example, ChatGPT is a chatbot that has ingested so much information, it can answer almost any question or create written summaries based on a prompt in seconds.
We have only scratched the surface of what AI can do. Executives in all industries are paying attention now. There are use cases for healthcare, finance, manufacturing and even customer service. This tech is also changing software development itself. That’s right. AI tools can write their own code.
Some critics fear AI will replace human workers. Yet others say it will create new roles and opportunities for those who embrace change. Generative AI job postings were already up about 20% in May vs. April on Indeed. Compared to 2021, postings doubled.
AI innovations will speed up the pace of tech development. This makes learning the right skills now even more important. You don’t have to become a technical AI expert to benefit. If you understand the potential of these systems and how you might use them in your role, you will stand out.
Want to capitalize on the AI boom? There are certain skills to focus on, like data analytics. According to Indeed, data scientist roles made up 5% of generative AI job postings. You could learn programming languages used by data scientists like Python and R to land a job like this.
XR: Where digital and physical collide
You’ve heard of virtual reality (VR). But have you heard of extended reality (XR)? XR is a new umbrella term for VR, augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality. XR creates immersive experiences that blend physical and digital worlds. It is an industry that’s growing. Analysts forecast the market will more than quadruple in value by 2028.
XR is already making waves in the gaming and entertainment worlds. For example, Chuck E Cheese now offers VR headsets. Kids can run around in a virtual world instead of the restaurant. Companies could also use XR to train employees (like pilots) in simulation environments. Or, they could use it to enable more immersive remote team collaboration.
There are many job opportunities in XR. For example, you could learn 3D modeling. You could also learn game development. UX design will also be an important skill in creating amazing XR experiences.
IoT everywhere
Ever used a smart thermometer or a doorbell camera? Surprise: You’ve used the Internet of Things (aka IoT).
IoT includes connected devices that send and receive data. IoT sensors can count foot traffic for city planning. They can track weather and traffic to inform supply chain management. They could even help make a factory more efficient by tracking workers.
New technologies have fueled adoption of IoT. Cloud computing and 5G, for example, make it affordable for companies to use IoT at scale.
If you want to work in IoT, there are many exciting opportunities. Search LinkedIn and you will find more than 17,000 job openings related to IoT in the US. There are even more jobs posted in APAC (41,000) and Europe ( (25,000).
If you want one of these jobs, you could learn hardware development and specialize in sensors. Since IoT sensors collect a lot of data, you could learn data analytics. Knowing programming languages like Java, C, C#, JavaScript or Python will come in handy. Sensors also present security risks. This means demand for cybersecurity talent is strong.
Echoes of sustainable and green technology
Green technologies address modern environmental challenges. For example, green tech could analyze a company’s carbon footprint. There are many opportunities to make society more efficient. Waste management, the electrical grid and agriculture need sustainability tech. A breakthrough in renewable energy would also be green tech.
Extreme weather like wildfires, flooding and hurricanes have made green tech a priority. Additionally, as AI systems scale up, business will increasingly require more energy. Sam Altman, founder of the company that created ChatGPT, told CNBC, “I’m all-in on energy. I think there’s urgent demand for tons and tons of cheap, safe, clean energy at scale.”
Clearly, investors and policymakers want to foster more green tech talent. So do you want to land a job in sustainable tech? Consider learning about renewable energy and ESG policy. For tech skills, you could explore green IT. As investment pours into green tech, knowing how to code or having UX design skills will also help you get a foot in the door.
Learn Tech Skills that Carry You Into the Future
Business has just scratched the surface of the hottest tech trends—AI, XR, IoT and green tech. Learning the skills associated with these emerging areas will unlock high-potential job opportunities and help you future-proof your career. All of these industries will require more talent with data analytics and data science skills, knowledge of software development languages and customer-centric visual design. Beyond these core tech skills, demand will also grow for speciality skills, like 3D modeling and knowledge of clean energy.
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