A GlobalData survey revealed that artificial intelligence (AI) and Big Data will continue to remain the main investment targets, albeit at a lower level, over the next two years.
In 2020, AI and Big Data garnered 51% responses each, highest among all other emerging technologies. The figures were 57% and 56% in 2019, respectively.
APIs and digital platforms followed with 39% votes in 2020, recording a decrease of two percentage points in the same period.
According to 2020 survey, social media (37%), cloud computing (35%) and Internet of Things (IoT) (33%) are also expected to remain popular investment targets. The percentages of the three technologies were 35%, 37% and 18% respectively, in 2019.
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Investment in wearable technology recorded a decrease in interest with figures dropping from 34% to 26% on a year-on-year basis.
In 2019, around 34% of the companies opined that they are going to invest in cybersecurity. The percentage dropped to 30% in 2020.
Alongside, blockchain witnessed a rise of seven percentage points on a year-on-year basis to 23% in 2020.
In 2020, around 22% of the respondents expected augmented reality to remain the main investment target. The sector garnered only 5% interest a year before.
Interest in biometrics remained stable at 20% on a year-on-year basis, while virtual reality received 18% votes in 2020 against 15% in 2019.
Other emerging technologies such as robotics, 3D printing, quantum computing received 16%, 14% and 10% votes respectively in 2020.
Uptake of Emerging Technologies in the Next Two Years, 2019 vs. 2020
The three percentages were 13%, 11% and 6% respectively a year before.
The analysis is based on Digital Transformation and Emerging Technology in the Healthcare Industry, 2020 survey​ fielded between 17 September and 06 October 2020.