Ever since the semiconductor was invented, communications have experienced continuous innovations. This is because communication plays a key role in developing core industries, like defence and financial management. And as social media continues to dominate the way we interact, we can see more from this field in the foreseeable future.
Indeed, the future depends on the thing we do in the present. Looking at the communications sector’s current trends gives us a glimpse of what is in store for us in the coming years. It is only best to know about these trends and how they are going to society in general.
Big data
Just like in previous years, businesses and other organizations will still receive and process volumes upon volumes of data. There’s no contesting that big data will play a significant role in these entities’ successes. Hence, it becomes essential to align present communications formations with more efficient data management systems. This would entail simplifying large chunks of data into consumable information.
The need for training and enhanced competencies
As communication technologies become more complex, it has become imperative for organizations to update present skill sets. Communications planning and leadership have become important now more than ever, as there is an ever-present need to keep up with the times. For this reason, organizations are focusing mostly on training and capacity building while enrollments to Master of Communication Management programs continue to increase. In fact, such programs are included in the top three management degrees of the future.
More focus on visual communication
Lengthy ads will finally kick the bucket to make way for more visual messaging. In the world of advertising, it’s a proven fact that people retain 80 percent of what they see compared to when they are exposed to spoken or written information. This reason alone has encouraged various organizations like businesses and research institutions to maximize their use of graphics. Whether used for marketing or communicating a complicated scientific discovery, illustrations can help these organizations engage their audiences better.
Artificial intelligence
The popularity of predictive search engines has extended towards the potential benefits AI offers to the communications industry. At present, a great deal of effort has been channelled towards researching approaches that will see a more in-depth integration with AI in the form of automated response systems, and other such technologies that underscore the more emotional aspects of communication.
Virtual reality
It comes as no surprise to know that virtual reality will inevitably define how we handle operations across various sectors, particularly in business, education and IT. An innovation to watch out for is the introduction of VR in video conferencing. Announced two years ago by Mark Zuckerberg during the Oculus Connect Conference, the technology seeks to revolutionize the way people hang out online. Ever since the announcement was made, businesses have emphasized the need to adapt to VR to forward. Although much of the technology is still in progress, there’s no doubt that VR will usher in a new era in communications’ long history.