Machine learning leads digital trends in 2017

Machine learning, a kind of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn without being explicitly programmed, will be a driving force in smartphone innovation in the coming year, according to Deloitte's newly released report on digital trends, Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions. This year, over 300 million smartphones will be equipped with neural network machine-learning capabilities, the report predicts. Such functionality could enhance a range of functions, including image classification, navigation and speech recognition. The rise of machine learning on smartphones could spark a similar dynamic in the fast-growing arena of wearables. For mobile users in disconnected spaces such as underground or in a plane, machine learning could enable new capabilities, while those operating in a connected environment may see tasks performed more quickly, or with enhanced privacy.