Top 5 Big Data & AI Trends Shaping 2018 and Beyond

As big‑data systems become increasingly efficient, annual trends grow more groundbreaking. Forrester Research’s latest big‑data marketing report notes that leaders are recognizing the workload required for extensive big‑data use, and artificial intelligence (AI) is moving beyond a buzzword. Implementing AI to meet objectives demands precise deployment, planning, and governance, and the report predicts massive improvements as the big‑data trend leans further toward AI.

Forrester also forecasts a redesign of data‑analysis and management roles, which will reshape intelligent delivery logistics and create new information markets. Up to 70% of enterprises plan to adopt AI technologies in 2018, a rise of more than 50% over the previous year.

In contrast, a recent Forbes article views AI as a resource that offers consumer advice, provisional terms for vendors, and workplace guidance without human intervention. The piece predicts AI will deliver actionable analysis of unstructured information comparable to the evaluation of structured data sources parsed by big‑data systems. It also foresees many companies gaining the ability to process hundreds of terabytes of existing unstructured data within months, though 2018 may become a pivotal year for data‑lake owners to justify AI investments; projects lacking quantifiable improvements could see ROI expectations withdrawn.

Trend 1: Enhanced Cybersecurity

Regulatory pressure has accelerated electronic health‑record (EHR) adoption among healthcare providers, yet cybersecurity breaches in the sector are rising sharply. Nearly 90% of providers experienced digital security incidents in the past two years, with an average cost of $2.2 million per breach. The high value of specific medical information attracts attackers, risking loss of patient trust and compelling providers to bolster digital security.

Trend 2: Improved Community Policing

In the United States, crime rates have fallen dramatically over the past two decades, a success largely attributed to the 1994 introduction of the CompStat big‑data system. CompStat analyzes nationwide statistics to help police understand and combat crime. Officials believe the system still has untapped potential; additional capabilities from engineers could enable monitoring of excessive force and further crime‑prevention improvements.

Trend 3: Expanded Internet of Things (IoT)

Today, a wide range of devices—from household appliances to advanced security systems—are internet‑connected, forming the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT spending is projected to reach $6 trillion by 2021, and analysts anticipate a surge of sensitive smart‑network devices in the coming years. This growth lays the groundwork for AI and big‑data solutions that harness the massive data streams generated by IoT, with forecasts estimating IoT will contribute $15 trillion to global GDP between 2018 and 2030.

Trend 4: Democratized AI

AI is moving beyond exclusive use by corporate giants. Plug‑and‑play AI business solutions are emerging and already adopted by many organizations, encompassing widely used chatbots and advanced search‑engine assistants. Experts predict roughly 75% of developers will integrate AI technologies into their work by the end of 2018. Collaboration between Microsoft and Amazon on the Gluon project—a user‑friendly, open‑source AI learning resource—has accelerated this trend, while the big‑data market approaches $34 billion in revenue.

Trend 5: Rise of the Chief Digital Officer (CDO)

The Chief Digital Officer role will gain greater influence in 2018. As data becomes one of the world’s most valuable assets, CDOs are tasked with extracting value from data and aligning insights with senior leadership. Smaller‑budget CDOs will face pressure to deliver measurable, actionable results within a year. Equipped with AI flexibility and big‑data analytics foundations, CDOs can develop structured and unstructured datasets that provide solutions across business units, positioning the role as a promising career path.

Enterprises, non‑profits, and government agencies must understand the evolving motivations of consumers and customers, whose needs change over time. Consequently, the combination of AI and big data is poised to push research and development to the forefront, delivering actionable reports derived from vast proprietary data sources for stakeholders.