{"id":541,"date":"2018-05-30T11:43:12","date_gmt":"2018-05-30T10:43:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/industry\/2018\/05\/30\/3-tech-trends-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/"},"modified":"2018-11-14T14:57:04","modified_gmt":"2018-11-14T14:57:04","slug":"3-tech-trends-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-gb\/industry\/blog\/cross-industry\/2018\/05\/30\/3-tech-trends-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"3 tech trends to stay ahead of the competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to Deloitte<\/a>, over half of UK businesses are looking to invest \u00a310m in digital by 2020. More and more businesses are increasingly looking to disrupt their industry by using next generation experiences to drive and raise business value and increase customer engagement.<\/p>\n

1. Bank on blockchain<\/h2>\n

Blockchain<\/a> will challenge the way you think about exchanging value and assets, enforcing contracts and sharing data. It isn\u2019t just for cryptocurrency anymore. By the end of 2024, the global blockchain market is projected to be worth US$20 billion.<\/a><\/p>\n

How does it work? A blockchain is basically a transparent, decentralised way of storing and transferring data. Data is shared securely among a network rather than resting with a single provider. Adding a \u2018block\u2019 to the chain creates an indelible record that cannot be tampered or changed. Each block is added through cryptography and the data is distributed and not copied.<\/p>\n

Because each encrypted block cannot be tampered with, people in the blockchain can see a record of the whole chain. No data can be replaced, only new \u2018blocks\u2019 can be added, meaning any anomalies or attempts to change a block will be flagged early and quickly. More importantly, because a blockchain is shared over a network, it removes the risk of a single point of failure and makes it harder for cybercriminals to access.<\/p>\n

Blockchains also not only store data, but processes. Once fully automated, blockchain can enforce consistency, eliminate repetitive steps, assisting with dispute resolution, increase accountability, and deliver end-to-end transparency that will inform better business decisions and helping you stay compliant.<\/p>\n

TurinTech<\/a>, an investment AI company uses blockchain for trading. When a trade happens, an immutable and irreversible transaction is stored in a blockchain, resolving trade disputes and keeping them secure.<\/p>\n

The blockchain also allows users to code and test algorithms on the TurinTech platform securely. The blockchain automatically compares codes that are placed as \u2018blocks\u2019 and when these codes are automatically compared, TurinTech identifies and removes the duplicate programming.<\/p>\n

\u201cTurinTech will be able to identify and remove duplicate programming tasks and downsize code by up to 50 percent. And if we\u2019re looking at, say, 10 million lines, that\u2019s a huge factor in reducing subscription costs,\u201d says Fan Wu, Chief Scientist.<\/p>\n

Blockchain on Azure<\/a> can be used to create disruptive business models, efficient collaborations, and create smarter, more efficient supply chains.<\/p>\n

2. Amplify human ingenuity<\/h2>\n

Technology shouldn\u2019t change us, but it should help us challenge and transform the way we do things in the world.<\/p>\n

Using AI<\/a> and machine learning helps us innovate, empower, and accelerate business through different tools.<\/p>\n

Microsoft\u2019s Project InnerEye<\/a> amplifies a medical professional\u2019s ability to personalise treatment for patients. By using AI and machine learning to find tumours in 3D radiology images, it allows for faster measurement and diagnoses, treatment, and more precise surgery planning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith AI assistance, I can plan radiotherapy treatments in minutes rather than hours, whilst maintaining the same degree of precision I want for my patients. It goes beyond that, because after radiotherapy treatment is complete, I can use these tools to give me more information about how the cancer is responding to therapy for my patients,\u201d says Dr Rajesh Jena, Radiation Oncologist at the University of Cambridge Cancer Centre. \u201cThese improvements will lead to better treatments and better outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n