Stay ahead of the curve: be curious and explore emerging technologies

In the fast-paced world of software development, one thing remains constant: change. The industry is continually evolving, with technologies emerging, and reshaping the way we build software. To stay relevant and competitive, software engineers must keep a finger on the pulse of all these developments. Staying up to date with the latest trends doesn't necessarily mean mastering every single technology that comes along. Instead, it's about having awareness and understanding of what's out there. By staying informed, software engineers can ensure they are not left behind and can adapt their skills and knowledge accordingly if one of them starts to dominate or gain significant industry adoption.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Let's start by discussing the topic of the moment: chatGPT. Since its launch, the industry has been revolutionized, and new AI-based projects have emerged daily. Most companies and products are trying to adapt and integrate AI into their products since then, and some products are even undergoing a total pivot and facelift to embrace this new paradigm.

It's important to share that AI and ML are not recent technologies. In fact, a mobile robot developed in the late 1960s, Shakey, was already able at the time to perceive its surroundings, logically deduce implicit facts from explicit ones, navigate from place to place, make a plan to achieve a goal, monitor the execution of a plan in the real world, recover from errors in plan execution, improve its planning abilities through learning, and communicate in simple English. 🤖

Since then, the technologies have been evolving over time and here and there something new was appearing. Those who have been actively keeping up with emerging technologies, even at a high-level overview, are well-positioned to engage in discussions about AI and other cutting-edge advancements. By having prior knowledge and understanding, they are not taken aback by the recent shifts in the industry. They have a head start, enabling them to readily grasp the capacities, goals, and powers of these new technologies. On the other hand, some software engineers, who may not have been closely following these trends, find themselves surprised and curious about the potential of these advancements. Being proactive in staying informed can provide an advantage in adopting and comprehending the changing landscape of the industry. AI is and will revolutionize the industry by automating tasks, improving software quality, personalizing user experiences, enabling better data-driven decision-making, enhancing human-computer interactions, increasing the speed and efficiency of software engineers, among many others. For those who are unfamiliar with terms such as AI, ML, NLPs, TensorFlow, or other related jargon, take some time to research and gain a basic understanding of these concepts. 😄 This will better prepare you to discuss the topic at a high level.

Now that chatGPT is available, it presents an excellent opportunity for everyone to learn the basics. Below, you'll find some prompts that can serve as a solid starting point to learn about any topic. From there, your curiosity knows no bounds:

1. What are some key terms I should know about [topic]?
2. What are some important concepts about [topic]?

Blockchain

Blockchain is a technology that has gained significant attention in the last decade. It provides a shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the recording of transactions and tracking of assets in a network. The idea of delivering information immediately in a completely transparent and immutable ledger, which can be accessed only by network members, is what puts blockchain on the path toward success. For those who are not familiar with blockchain, try to find a Blockchain 101 course and familiarize yourself with terms such as Decentralized Apps, Smart Contracts, and Cryptocurrencies. You can find below a video I came across a few years ago that I found to be highly informative and easily understandable.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

AR and VR are promising technologies that are revolutionizing software development, being useful in many fields such as gaming, education, and training. AR and VR provide interactive and immersive experiences that break the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds. Recently, Apple presented a new product, Vision Pro, which is a good example of the capabilities of this area, but there are tons of immersive opportunities that can shape the future of many different areas such as education, workout, and architecture, among others.

For those who haven't had the chance to read and explore some of the topics related to these technologies, try looking up topics such as AR, VR, computer vision, mixed reality, sensor technologies, spatial computing, and more. If you want to experience immersive VR and understand its potential, try finding a local store in your city that offers immersive VR experiences. There's nothing better than trying it out for yourself!

Final remarks

It's just a matter of time before the next big shift happens, so it's important to keep up-to-date and be ready to adapt. Keeping up-to-date with the latest software development technologies can help overtake any disadvantage you may have.

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Augmented and Virtual Reality are just a few of the cutting-edge technologies that are constantly evolving and reshaping how developers build software. Being proactive in staying informed can provide an advantage in adopting and comprehending the changing landscape of the industry. Stay curious and keep yourself in the loop! 🚀