The web development trends are subject to constant change as time passes by. With the end of 2019 and the end of a whole decade, the technologies that were trending in web development begin to differ from those that are about to take over. If you are already familiar with web development practices, then you probably know that companies constantly make changes to their strategies and follow world trends in order to keep their competitiveness on a high level. That way, businesses fight hard to always be one step ahead of their competitors and implement technologies that will probably mark a new era in the web development world.

The need for staying up-to-date with the latest web development trends and technologies is a must when working in a company that must follow the trends if it wants to stay ahead of the competition. We can hardly wait to see which are the newest technologies that will mark the following decade. If you want to discover why you need to keep up with the latest trends in web development, continue reading about six of the trends of our choice: 

• Low-Code Development
• Mixed Reality (MR)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Blockchain Technology 
• Cybersecurity
• Outsourcing Services

Low-Code Development

When it comes to web development, throughout the past few years, a new trend called low-code development has appeared. Low-code development is an approach that allows programmers to build applications without coding, by simply using visual interfaces or platforms. In this case, developers will not be required to create code because the code will be created automatically and they will only have the option to modify it. Moreover, they will need to arrange prebuilt components by dragging and dropping them on the low-code development platform. 

Low-code development was at first used for building applications on platforms for specific software, such as CRM. However, from 2020 onward, low-code platforms will be on the rise and more low-code applications will be built easily thanks to these platforms. Small businesses, start-ups, and enterprises will mostly use the benefits of low-code development because it offers faster deployment and covers the lack of UX resources. Moreover, companies that implement low-code development will be able to easily validate their business ideas and will face fewer risks throughout the process.  

Mixed Reality (MR)

Mixed Reality (MR) is not a new trend in web development, however, it is expected to take a stronger swing in the decade that begins right now. Last year, the increased usage of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) was one of the digital marketing trends on the rise. In 2020, this trend will continue to dominate not only in the world of digital marketing but also in software development. Companies will use this MR technology as a way to realize their business values, especially if they fall into the following sectors: gaming, architecture and construction, defense, healthcare, tourism, etc.

MR technology can be utilized in various different segments, depending on the nature of the business. For instance, architecture and construction companies may use MR in order to improve their designs by implementing 3D modeling in a VR environment. Moreover, both government and non-profit organizations can use VR and AR to train their employees. Furthermore, businesses that use VR and AR will be able to provide their customers with the opportunity to try and examine their products virtually, thus increasing their sales effort. Therefore, implementing the MR in the company’s software can only improve the business process and lifestyle. Continue observing the development of this trend in the decade that has just begun and make sure to implement it in your business. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence is a trend that started emerging in the past several years but will continue to ascend in the decade that has just started. Businesses more and more implement AI in their software development strategy. For those who still do not know what AI is: it is a computer-science branch that enables machines to perform tasks that only humans could have done till now. Although experts believe that the future lies in AI, they cannot but wonder what will happen to human intelligence in the future. That is why we wonder whether the real battle of the future will actually happen between machines and humans or not?

When it comes to the influence of AI over software development, it can help in building a facial recognition software for law enforcement agencies, for instance, by implementing its image and video recognition capabilities. Software developers with the help of AI and Machine Learning (ML) will be able to automate low-end tasks. Moreover, AI may help in processing data of all patients that are served at healthcare organizations, or in improving the customer service operations by implementing chatbots on all websites. Regardless of the way that companies will implement the AI, it will make their lives easier and will mark the beginning of a new era.

Blockchain Technology

In the list of web development trends that are expected to mark the new decade belongs the blockchain technology. Blockchain consists of several blocks that are connected with the help of cryptography.  Each of the blocks contains a list of records and a cryptographic hash of the previous block which is designed to resist any modification that could be possibly done to the data. Blockchain is a P2P (peer-to-peer) network that businesses use for running smart contracts and for improving companies’ trust. This trend increases accountability and data safety, allows creating smart contracts, and provides ultimate transparency.

The increased use of blockchain technology is due to several advantages that it brings to companies. Blockchain improves supply-chain management thus simplifying the process that involves a lot of paperwork and manual processes. Moreover, it offers audit trail and endurance to analytics software and companies of different sectors use it for running their analytics tools on reliable data. Blockchain also offers improvements in the Identity and Access Management (IAM) and in its processes by dealing with a lot of identity information stored in silos. Finally, blockchain is a technology that brings security to the Internet of Things (IoT) thanks to its features that secure the communication between different devices over the Internet. Overall, the blockchain development is expected to mark a great growth from 2020 onward, so we can hardly wait to see what it has in store. 

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is one of the web development trends which companies must consider to implement when they want to build solutions for their enterprises. In the new decade, cybercrimes are expected to increase in number, thus causing companies to lose billions of dollars. Therefore, they will have to start considering the best solution that will keep them safe from such so-called cybercrimes. Cybersecurity is a key factor when building enterprise solutions, especially when protecting a business from cybercriminals who can commit a variety of online crimes.

Small businesses or start-ups are usually the perfect targets for cybercriminals because they believe that they will not be attacked due to their size. However, cyber-attackers pick these small businesses as their first targets and gain access to their data and customers’ personal information. Therefore, cybersecurity will begin flourishing more and more among small companies in the years to come. However, this does not mean that only small businesses need to invest in cybersecurity. All companies are encouraged to follow this trend and to take into consideration the fact that cybersecurity is useful for them.

Outsourcing Services

Another one of the web development trends for 2020 will be the outsourcing of IT professionals. With the expansion of global companies, businesses try to use the best capabilities they can. However, although a company may have an IT sector within the organization, it still needs experts in that field. Therefore, worldwide companies will have to begin using outsourcing web development services in order to get the best IT professionals to work on their projects. 

Hiring an IT support services company such as Cosmic Development may be one of the outsourcing options businesses make when it comes to getting IT pros on their team. We outsource services to worldwide clients and offer the most qualified remote workers. The services we offer cover the following main areas: software development, digital marketing and sales, and administration and virtual assistance. Contact us today to help you stay on track with the newest web development trends and let us build a team for your brand.

Sources:

• hackernoon.com/software-development-trends-2020-revealed-spi305m
• scnsoft.com/blog/software-development-trends
• towardsdatascience.com/20-predictions-about-software-development-trends-in-2020-afb8b110d9a0
• outsystems.com/blog/posts/low-code-software-development-trends/
• devteam.space/blog/10-trends-in-software-development/
• cpomagazine.com/tech/11-eye-opening-cyber-security-statistics-for-2019/

The post Newest Web Development Trends for 2020 appeared first on Cosmic Development.

The battle of machines vs. humans is a topic that is present in every aspect of our lives. As technology improves, machines and robots are becoming smarter and smarter, and more used on a day-to-day basis. What we thought might happen in the future is actually happening right now, and it is developing at a super-fast pace. According to experts, artificial intelligence (AI) is the next big thing that will improve people’s lives. But will it? If yes, what will happen to our own, human intelligence?

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? 

In order to understand the very term Artificial Intelligence, we tried to find the best definition. However, there is not an officially accepted definition that explains its purpose. The phrase artificial intelligence (AI) refers to machine learning and to the procedure that enables computers to discover real-life patterns and to imitate the function of the human brain. 

The AI may be interpreted as a machine learning system that has become smart with hard training. The most appropriate artificial intelligence examples are:

• Strategic games, such as chess, tic tac toe, where the machine makes decisions found on possible steps that are based on inquiring knowledge.
• Communication with computers, where the machine understands the human language.
• Expert systems and applications giving clarification to the users, where machines are incorporated with programming and other data.
• Vision systems, such as spying planes or drones, where the machine understands and interprets the visual input.
• Speech recognition systems, where the machine understands the human language (slang, accent, noise).
• Handwriting recognition systems, where the machine reads a written text and converts different letter shapes into an editable text. 
• Intelligent robots that have various sensors detecting physical data that only a human being may experience. 

Note that this definition changes with time just like the artificial intelligence evolves and what today is known as AI may not be the same in 10-years time, for instance. There are many differences between artificial intelligence and the human brain, which will be discussed below.

Advantages of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

According to experts, the artificial intelligence will undoubtedly improve people’s lives in the future. However, some of those experts are also concerned that the rapid development of AI might affect the productivity of human intelligence and the people’s expression of their free personal choices. 

• Speed of execution
• Less biased
• Ability to operate without a pause
• Accuracy and preciseness
• Dominance in certain areas

However, some issues still point out human intelligence over the AI. Five most important aspects in which the machine differs from the human being are:

• Energy efficiency – AI uses less energy than people’s brain;
• Universal – AI is designed only for a few tasks, while people learn different skills throughout their entire lifespan;
• Multitasking – people are able to multitask, but machines need more time to learn every responsibility;
• Decision making – people learn how to make decisions in life, while machines can hardly compete with a six-year-old child;
• Analog vs. digital – people’s brains are analog, machines are digital.

According to this analysis, we can see that although people work hard on developing Artificial Intelligence (AI), the human brain is still superior in many aspects. 

People use a combination of several cognitive processes, while machines are programmed to imitate human behavior. While the AI has a significant advantage over human intelligence, some experts believe that computers will never be fully able to replace people and the irreplaceable human resource. 

If you feel the same, check out the software development services we offer and you will see that without the help of our employees’ brains, the machine cannot operate on itself. It is left to the future to show us whether “machines vs. humans” is the battle that will mark this century.

Sources:

seavus.com/newsroom/post/if-a-human-can-do-it-ai-can-do-it-more-efficiently

bigdata-madesimple.com/the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-6-ways-it-will-impact-everyday-life/

bbc.com/future/tags/artificialintelligence

pewinternet.org/2018/12/10/artificial-intelligence-and-the-future-of-humans/

theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/01/the-guardian-view-on-the-future-of-ai-great-power-great-irresponsibility

content.wisestep.com/advantages-disadvantages-artificial-intelligence/

techopedia.com/definition/190/artificial-intelligence-ai

educba.com/artificial-intelligence-vs-human-intelligence/

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