‘Blockchain’ – Kevin Smith via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Technology is advancing at an amazing pace. The world of robotics has made steps forward that until recent years were thought of as science fiction and with virtual reality and artificial intelligence also becoming more widely used, our expectations for 2019 are sky high. The specifics can only be guessed at, but here are a few things that will possibly happen – no doubt there will be many more, too.

1. Blockchain Will Feature More Heavily

It’s is not a totally new innovation, but Forbes say that in 2019 it will bring about a transformation of the way finance, real estate and the supply chains in most industries use it. It will have more practical uses than just for cryptocurrencies and the publication predicts the launch of blockchain-as-a-service platforms.

2. Phones That Fold Will Outsell 5G Phones

The release of phones with bendy screens and phones with 5G is already on the cards this year. However, Techspot points out that both technologies won’t necessarily be used on the same device. Eventually, they probably will, but both of these technologies have cost the developers huge sums of money and that could mean that initially, both types of phones will be expensive. For this year, consumers looking to update their phone are likely to find the foldable ones more attractive.

3. Sports Betting on TV Will Increase Viewer Numbers

Sports’ betting is set to become even more popular as people use it as a way to relax and have fun. Sports are already one of the most watched things on TV. With the expansion of sites such as Oddschecker, which helps find the best places to find free bets on digital devices we have to hand while we watch, technology is already making it simpler to watch and bet on sports at the same time. This will result in more viewers watching and betting from home, which will in turn increase viewer numbers. This is also good news for anyone who wants to get into the sports betting business. With more people looking to place bets, entrepreneurs can start their own sports betting business with the help of appropriate pph software.

4. AI Will Not Be Just for Experts

More companies are likely to adopt the use of AI according to Deloitte’s prediction on Venturebeat. They predict that 70% of businesses will access these capabilities through the cloud and that 65% will create AI applications using cloud-based development services. They say that, to date, it has been mainly tech giants using AI, but this is set to change in 2019. As the cloud increases efficiency for businesses and gives a better return on investment, it makes sense that owners will also use its AI capabilities.

‘AI for GOOD Global Summit’ – ITU Pictures via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

5. The Unexpected Innovations

There are always technologies with an obvious path forward, but sometimes the more exciting things are the ones that no one envisaged. Just think back to early mobile phones, for instance. The user had to carry the first ones developed around attached to a battery the size of a house brick – who would have thought then they would become the handheld computers they are today? Ok, this is less of a prediction than the other four, but with some of the incredible things that innovators are coming up with today, we’re convinced that something no one foresaw will be one of 2019’s biggest tech hits.