Most people I know are either slightly optimistic towards technology, entirely addicted or still rave about their Nokia 3210.
But, how should one consider technology when thinking about their future studies (or even technology more broadly)?
I struggled with this question, until I read (ok, I only scanned …) the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2020 (per here). Figure 18 was my lightbulb moment, which I’ve simplified for you below:
Technologies likely to be adopted by 2025 (by share of companies surveyed)
| Technology | |
| 100% | – |
| 80% | Cloud computing
Big data analytics Internet of things and connected devices Encryption and cybersecurity Artificial intelligence (inc. ML and NLP) Text, image and voice processing E-commerce and digital trade |
| 60% | Robots, non-humanoid (e.g industrial automation, drones)
Augmented and virtual reality Distributed ledger technology (e.g. blockchain) 3D and 4D printing and modelling Power storage and generation |
| 40% | New materials (e.g. nanotubes, graphene)
Biotechnology Robots, humanoid Quantum computing |
| 20% | – |
| 0% | – |
Some quick comments for your MBA considerations:
- Hype doesn’t necessarily equal interest from companies e.g., a lot has been said of quantum computing, although ‘only’ 40% of companies expect to have adopted it by 2025
- Encryption and cybersecurity may not be as glamorous as say distributed ledger technology, but 20% more organisations will have adopted such by 2025
- No program would necessarily be able to do justice to 100% of these technologies, but what is a course covers 0% of them?
A couple of other quick snippets:
- A career in technology venture capital might be difficult, as nearly every early-stage organisation will be claiming to use one of many of the technologies above!
- The list is a fantastic buzzword bingo card
- Do consider technology broadly. Whilst the GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon) tech giants are incredible organisations for many reasons, Professor Grant Michelson reminded me a few weeks back that organisations like ThyssenKrupp have technologies which literally lift organisations to new heights.
When exploring your future study options, do dig into some details around how you will learn about these technologies, from whom and precisely when.
If you don’t you may yet be enjoying Snake on your Nokia 3210 for a few years yet.
