Digital foundations and emerging technologies

Emerging technologies are rapidly transforming the workplace and everyday life. From the invention of the printing press, which revolutionised education, to the industrial revolution’s mechanisation of labour, and the rise of the internet that reshaped communication and commerce, technological advancements have consistently driven change. Understanding their impact can help you stay competitive and adaptable in an increasingly digital world. 

• Artificial intelligence (AI): AI-driven tools can improve decision-making, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance efficiency across sectors. AI is increasingly embedded in software applications, customer service, and predictive analytics. Understand more about AI. 
• Low-code/No-code technology platforms: Allows users with minimal programming knowledge to build applications through visual interfaces and pre-built components. 
• Big data: Organisations leverage big data analytics to extract insights, predict trends, inform decision making and drive research and innovation. Learn more about big data and data analysis.   
• Internet of things (IoT): A network of interconnected smart devices and sensors that communicate and exchange data over the Internet. IoT enables smart home automation, industrial monitoring, and enhanced healthcare applications.   
• Blockchain: A decentralised and secure digital ledger system used in cryptocurrencies, supply chain management, and secure data transactions. 
• Edge computing: A distributed computing framework that processes data closer to the source rather than relying on centralised cloud servers, reducing latency and improving efficiency. 
• Extended reality (XR): An umbrella term covering Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), used in gaming, training simulations, and interactive learning experiences. 
• 5G and 6G technology: The next generations of mobile network technology that offers significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity for smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and industrial automation. Expected to launch commercially around 2030, 6G aims to deliver speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G. 
• Biotechnology and digital health: The integration of digital technologies into healthcare, including wearable devices, AI-driven diagnostics, and personalised medicine. 
• Quantum computing: Unlike traditional binary-based computers, quantum systems use qubits, allowing for exponential data processing improvements. While still in development, major tech companies like Microsoft and IBM are investing heavily in this space. Discover more about Quantum Computing. 

This case is not unique. Ethical challenges around fairness, bias, and data representativeness in medical AI are well-documented. For further reading, you may wish to explore: 

• Farhud, D. D., & Zokaei, S. (2021). Ethical issues of artificial intelligence in medicine and healthcare. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 50(11), i. 
• Norori, N., Hu, Q., Aellen, F. M., Faraci, F. D., & Tzovara, A. (2021). Addressing bias in big data and AI for healthcare: A call for open science. Patterns, 2(10).