Technology is playing an increasingly central role in driving economic growth, improving access to essential services, and enabling innovation across the emerging world. Here are seven trends worth understanding, from mobile phone usage to the growing weight of AI and cybersecurity.
1. Smartphones are ubiquitous
Smartphones remain the single most-used form of technology globally, with adoption now covering the large majority of the world's population. Versatility, connectivity, affordability, and a mature app ecosystem have all driven that ubiquity.
2. AI is considered the future
Artificial intelligence is one of the fastest-evolving fields in technology, with the potential to change how we live and work. As it advances, AI is increasingly used across healthcare, finance, transportation and manufacturing — and its projected contribution to the global economy runs into the trillions of dollars.
3. Search volume keeps climbing
Search remains one of the largest single sources of information discovery in the world, processing an enormous volume of queries daily and helping people find information, learn, and stay current on events at a scale that dwarfs any other channel.
4. The virtual assistant market is growing
Virtual assistants use AI and natural language processing to interact with users and perform tasks. As smartphones, smart speakers and connected devices spread, demand for virtual assistants keeps growing, and advances in AI/NLP keep making them more capable.
5. Social media usage keeps expanding
Social platforms are used for socialising, entertainment, news and increasingly ecommerce. Global connectivity, mobile adoption, and the constant evolution of these platforms all point toward continued growth in the number of users worldwide.
6. Advanced robotics is shaping the future
Sophisticated robots are increasingly capable of tasks once thought too difficult or dangerous for humans. The technology is rapidly evolving across manufacturing, healthcare, transportation and agriculture, improving automation, precision, safety and accuracy.
7. Mobile payments are becoming the norm
Mobile payments have gained significant traction, especially where traditional banking access is limited — offering convenience, speed and security for sending and receiving money, paying bills, and purchasing goods and services directly from a phone.
The bigger picture
Technology use in the emerging world has grown significantly in recent years, driven by widespread mobile adoption and expanding internet access — fuelling the growth of mobile payments, social platforms, ecommerce, and a wave of other technology-driven services.
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