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Machine learning to accelerate business growth in 2018

Sibahle Malinga
By Sibahle Malinga, ITWeb senior news journalist.
Johannesburg, 23 Jan 2018
Organisations will need to invest significantly in AI skills, processes and tools as the technology significantly increases.
Organisations will need to invest significantly in AI skills, processes and tools as the technology significantly increases.

Enterprise machine learning pilots and deployments are expected to double this year and smartphone adoption will continue to experience a significant increase.

This is according to Deloitte Global's 17th edition of the Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions research. The report predicts that global organisations will double their use of machine learning technology by the end of 2018 and smartphone sales are expected to double, with more than 90% of adults in developed countries expected to have a smartphone by the end of 2023.

Enterprise machine learning pilots and deployments are predicted to double this year. TMT predictions highlights some key areas that Deloitte Global believes will unlock more intensive use of machine learning in the enterprise by making it easier, cheaper and faster.

According to Deloitte Global, the most important key area is the growth in new semiconductor chips that will increase the use of machine learning, enabling applications to use less power, and at the same time become more responsive, flexible and capable.

"We have reached the tipping point where adoption of machine learning in the enterprise is poised to accelerate," says Mark Casey, Deloitte global media & entertainment & TMT Africa leader.

TMT predictions also include a number of consumer forecasts as well. According to the company, smartphone adoption will continues to grow with smartphone sales expected to reach around 1.85 billion per year by 2023, equivalent to over five million units sold per day.

Deloitte Global predicts that owners will interact with their phones on average 65 times per day by 2023, a 20% increase on 2018.

"By the end of 2023, more than 90% of adults in developed countries are expected to have a smartphone, with ownership among 55-75 year-olds reaching 85%. At the same time, Deloitte Global predicts 45% of global adult smartphone users and 65% of 18 to 24-year-olds will worry that they are using their phones too much for certain activities and may try to limit their usage in 2018," according to the report.

Over a billion smartphone users around the world will likely create augmented reality content at least once in 2018, with at least 300 million doing so monthly, and tens of millions weekly, according to Deloitte Global.

"As smartphones continue to be a big part of our professional and personal lives, we are finding more of a balance and etiquette, especially in our personal lives, even as we continue to experience more opportunities in this exciting mobile ecosystem," says Craig Wigginton, Deloitte Global Telecommunications Sector leader.

According to a report detailing the top IT predictions for 2018, published by Dimension Data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual and augmented reality (AR), have the potential to deliver disruptive outcomes and reshape digital business in 2018.

At the beginning of October, Gartner released a report highlighting the top strategic technology trends that will impact most organisations in 2018. Blockchain, intelligent things, AI systems and edge cloud computing were among the list of top tech trends.

"Artificial intelligence techniques are evolving rapidly and organisations will need to invest significantly in skills, processes and tools to successfully exploit these techniques and build AI-enhanced systems. Investment areas can include data preparation, integration, algorithm and training methodology selection, and model creation. Multiple constituencies including data scientists, developers and business process owners will need to work together."

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