Machine learning and augmented reality are about to take off in Australia

Augmented reality and machine learning will be embedded into business practices in 2018, according to Deloitte's 2018 Technology, Media and Telecommunications Predictions. And the annual predictions show that smartphones will be more distracting than ever before as they become more a part of the business day. "We're at the tipping point of widespread adoption of a number of technologies," says Kimberly Chang, Deloitte Australia's Technology, Media and Telecommunications leader. "In 2018 we will finally see business challenges being addressed by what has to date been consumer driven technology. But it will be a year of trial and error," Augmented reality, a special effect that enables digital images to be superimposed on real ones, has become an increasingly popular smartphone application, often for entertainment applications such as face swapping or live face filters.