It’s a common refrain to reflect on the notion that cell phones were predicted by the original Star Trek series. It may seem trite now, with supremely disruptive technologies like the Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things charging down the pike. But we can look at the effects mobile phones have had on our private lives and the business world as a standard for change. For all practical purposes, you could say that cell phones took 40 years to change the world. Now, to understand the speed of the changes that are coming, you have to understand- the next disruptive technology is change itself.
According to the World Economic Forum, “65% of children entering elementary school today will occupy professions that do not exist today.”If this is correct, the pace of change can be expected to double in a generation. And that is a conservative estimate.
Change is Accelerating
Consider the economic crash of 2008. In addition to sucking billions of dollars out of our economy, the primary effect of the collapse was to drive a permanent wedge between the worker and employers. Today, the model of the professional who stays safely under the umbrella of a monolithic organization is shattered. The business world has been atomized. Today, the average worker thinks of himself as more of a company of his own, a company that- with increasing independence- provides value to existing corporations.
Fortunately, mobile technology was ready to make this transformation possible. Without it- instead of rebranding themselves- workers would have resigned themselves to the breadline.
Learning is Key
According to the Wall Street Journal, economists are telling us that the next big recession is likely to hit in the year 2020. Prior to the 2008 disaster, nobody was saying “I’m going to use mobile technology to rebrand myself and generate a new value proposition to survive.”
This time, it’s different. This time, we know what’s coming, and we know what to do about it.
The three major disruptive technologies that can be expected to transform the way we create value are already in use and have been for at least ten years. That means the cycle of inception to global transformation is at least halfway complete. If our model of mobile tech as a driver of change is any indication, it’s safe to say that by 2028 they will be sufficiently developed to serve as a lifeboat as mobile did in 2008.
- Blockchain: The blockchain is changing the nature of transactions. This powerful software technology is making exchanges of all kinds almost perfectly secure, removing the need for human moderators for things like credit reporting and accounting. Those who work in finance, or any related field, who do not adopt it will not be able to keep the pace.
- Internet of Things: As the cost of wireless and broadband drops, it becomes increasingly viable for devices to independently connect to the Internet and communicate with each other. Twenty years ago, you probably didn’t think your cell phone would become indispensable mobile office equipment. Likewise, it may be hard to imagine now that in ten years you will need your refrigerator to order food for you. But why? Because no one will be driving to supermarkets anymore, and those who waste time doing so will get left in the dust. Apply that logic to every powered device you own- and now you understand the scope of the coming change.
- Artificial Intelligence: Nothing will be as disruptive as AI. Right now, marketers are using it to predict consumer behavior more than anything else. But the time is coming soon when AI becomes robust enough to self-modify. When that happens, it’s going to be like pushing a cart that suddenly transforms into a sports car. If we’re not ready for that change, we can expect to fall flat on our faces, covered in dust.
Think Partnerships, Value, and Purpose
To grasp these new technologies and to take them in hand in a meaningful way, we must think in terms of partnerships, value, and purpose. We need partnerships with the providers of these technologies. We need to have a plan as to how we intend to use them to create value. And we need a vision of how that value will be sought after by our clients and customers. In short, we need to imagine business models built around these new technologies.
These business model concepts should be complete with the product and service providers who build and maintain these devices. They must include the development of mastery in their use. And they must be created with a clear image of how your customers will consume the value you will provide in the wake of the next big recession.
How do you think your business or industry will be transformed because of these three technologies ?
Author Bio
Ian Khan — Technology Futurist, Author & Filmmaker
CNN Featured Technology Futurist, Inspirational Realist, Forbes contributor,, 3x TEDx Speaker and Author, Ian Khan is a highly sought after thought leader. An advocate of emerging technologies, Ian helps organizations & people gain a competitive advantage in today’s era of disruption and rapid change through his insightful keynotes, and masterclasses. With an international speaking and masterclass portfolio in Dubai, Sweden, Finland, Germany, United States, Canada and 35 other countries, Ian is an unconventional idea instigator who can help you with adapting to change with his “7 Axioms of Value Creation” methodology.
Ian is also shooting a documentary film “Blockchain City” that captures the growth of Blockchain technology across the world and how various governments and cities plan to use Blockchain to step into the new era of technology.
