A look at 2022 cybersecurity takeaways and how to start the New Year right. A major lesson the private and public sectors can take away from 2022 is that as long as an organization or entity uses technology, it's at risk for a cyberattack. And the reality is that as the sun sets on 2022, an organization can't survive without technology. For that reason, cyber threats and cybersecurity are perhaps the most important topics to discuss with the dawn of the New Year--and perhaps every New Year. Trends in AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning), quantum computing, supply chain management, blockchain, and the IoT (Internet of Things) are all linked by this underlying concern about security. A down economy, lack of a skilled cybersecurity workforce, lagging government policy, a large hybrid workforce, and the use of AI by adversaries will all affect the cyber scene in 2023.

The use of AI (artificial intelligence) technologies is transforming industries from manufacturing to healthcare, retail, agriculture, transportation, and beyond. Precedence Research estimates the global market for AI will reach nearly $1.6 trillion by 2030, up from about $87 billion in 2021. A new AI and machine learning-powered project funded by the NSF (National Science Foundation) will leverage these powerful technologies to transform the way scientists analyze ocean imagery, adding yet one more way AI is changing the way humans interact with everything--from other humans to machines and even data from the depths of the sea. Every day, new information from Earth's oceans is being collected by research crews and ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) equipped with cameras, video cameras, and instruments that measure parameters from the ROV's surroundings, such as water temperature. This equipment allows research vehicles to collect massive amounts of imagery and other data about the ocean.

Continuing on with our blog series, today let's look at the construction estimating software market and how it is evolving. Today, there is an increasing need for cloud-based applications and mobile access, which is driving advancements in the construction estimating software market. In fact, Persistence Market Research suggests the global construction estimating software market is expected to grow from $340 million in 2021 to $357.4 million in 2022. Looking forward, it will grow to $556 million, showing a 4.5% growth rate from 2022-2032. Integration is one big estimating trend to watch in the construction industry.

There is no doubt that connected devices and technologies are transforming how humans and machines work together in places like operating rooms, factories, and roadways/intersections. Increasingly, AVs (autonomous vehicles) paired with smarter infrastructure is paving the way for safer roadways, which leads to fewer transportation-related fatalities. According to Allied Market Research, the global autonomous vehicle market will reach $2,161.79 billion by 2030, up from $76.13 billion in 2020 and representing a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 40.1% between 2021 and 2030. Part of this market growth will be thanks to advancements in cellular technologies. Last week, Cisco and Verizon announced a successful POC (proof-of-concept) demo in Las Vegas that will help bring applications like robotaxis and autonomous delivery bots to more people and more places in the near future.

Throughout the last two years, the construction industry has done whatever it takes to deliver projects despite huge challenges. However, the uncertainties faced by engineering and construction firms will worsen as governments begin to boost their post-COVID spending on infrastructure and inflationary pressures begin to bite. Technology can play an important part in changing how the industry designs and constructs projects, and how it reskills the workforce. Digital tools and processes can help to kick-start big improvements in project performance, and other industries have shown that companies that are quick to embrace emerging technologies will gain a strong competitive advantage. One of the simplest definitions of a digital twin is "a digital representation of a physical asset, process, or system." However, a digital twin is a live, evolving set of data that must be continuously synchronized, and it should exploit data-driven workflows to optimize performance.

What is a democratic internet, and how does it intersect with the evolving nature of HCI? In fact, experts like Elizabeth Gerber, professor and co-director of the Center for Human Computer Interaction Design at Northwestern University, say there is not a single aspect of many humans' lives that is not touched by near-ubiquitous internet access and adoption of connected devices. And while "near ubiquitous" is not the same as ubiquitous and there are still a great number of people without easy access to an internet connection, Gerber says for those who do, computing technology is becoming as invisible and essential as oxygen. As a result, many forget the extent to which they have set up their lives and businesses to depend on it. The internet is a powerful tool, and humans can use it in many powerful ways--including to create social change.

Still, it is very important to take a close look at the impact it is having on a particular task--and it is perhaps even more important to ask critical questions, as the use of AI unfolds in different vertical markets. Take for instance one very specific area today: recruitment and hiring. Roughly 95% of HR (human resources) professionals believe AI could help with the application process for candidates, according to a recent study from Tidio. With companies receiving roughly 250 resumes for each corporate job opening, AI offers the opportunity to help match the perfect candidate to the perfect job, helping minimize some of the challenges currently faced by the worker shortage. Artificial intelligence can help with screening candidates, searching for candidates on different platforms, creating job descriptions, and conducting initial interviews among other things.

In the past few years, AI (artificial intelligence) has grown at a rapid pace for many organizations. Now many are considering what comes next as the speed of adoption of all these emerging technologies and the IoT (Internet of Things) continues to pick up. Grand View Research suggests the global artificial intelligence market size was valued at $62.35 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand to a growth rate of 40.2% through 2028. Deep learning led the market and North America dominated, accounting for more than 40% share of global revenue in 2020. In 2020, software solutions led the AI market and accounted for more than 38% of the global revenue, according to Grand View Research.

Builders Show) and KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) was a bevy of announcements--everything from 3D printing to software to appliances. Parks Associates found steady purchase intentions for smart appliances and continued growth for smart energy and lighting products at the show. But here is what stood out to me: Roughly 25% of U.S. broadband households plan to buy a smart appliance in the next six months. I was able to see firsthand how new appliances are becoming greener and more ecofriendly. They are better for the world and save energy, while also lengthening the life of our food.

The future of work discussion has always been an interesting one, but never so much as it is right now, because of how much has changed in the past 18 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, the shifts businesses needed to make to adjust to the new reality were so major that there just seems to be no going back to the former pre-pandemic status quo. In speaking with experts across industries, Connected World has found that enterprise leaders in just about every vertical believe the pandemic sped up trends that were already underway, like the shift to hybrid work models and the adoption of technologies that facilitate digital transformation in the enterprise, by several years. A new report offers some insight into how the workforce sees the future of work shaping up. Global Workplace Analytics and Owl Labs recently released the State of Remote Work 2021 report, which suggests looking forward to 2022, the theme will be adapting to a hybrid workplace and working on defining what that actually means.