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It’s amazing to realize that the internet is only 26 years old. It may be hard to imagine a world where access to any website, cloud service, or email doesn’t exist, yet that was how we all lived just a few decades ago.
In fact, it wasn’t until the last 15 years that the internet became sufficiently fast and widely used to become a service that presumably everyone had. You might remember just 15 years ago when the internet became readily accessible on a mobile phone.
More recently, AI (artificial intelligence) has become a tool that will answer any question and create ideas and complex solutions that haven’t occurred to humans. Though no one knows precisely what the future may hold, there are some strong indicators of what may be coming next as well as factors that could slow the process.
The Expansion of Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has been steadily gaining popularity, and its growth is expected to continue in the coming years. The concept of the cloud involves storing and accessing data and applications over the internet instead of locally on a computer’s hard drive.
Initially used for personal documents, the cloud is now being employed by companies to keep track of significant amounts of data. The technology confers several benefits that make it likely to become integral to future internet use.
- Enhanced Accessibility and Flexibility: As cloud infrastructure expands, users can access their data and applications from anywhere they have an internet connection. This flexibility allows for seamless collaboration, remote work, and the integration of multiple devices, which ensures everyone is more interconnected.
- Scalability and Cost Efficiency: Cloud services offer the ability to scale resources up or down based on demand. This will allow businesses to manage their resources more efficiently, which should reduce costs and improve operational effectiveness. To give an example, before cloud services were available, an SD, USB stick, or CD typically had to be burned and copied to transfer data from one computer to another.
- Data Security and Reliability: Cloud service providers invest heavily in robust security measures to protect user data. Redundancy and data backups are built into the cloud infrastructure, to minimize the chances of data loss and increase reliability.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence has come a long way. Its pending integration with the internet is likely to transform various sectors, including health care, transportation, and entertainment.
AI refers to computer systems that perform tasks which normally require human intelligence, such as the ability to understand spoken language, recognize patterns, and make informed decisions. Some features include:
- Personalized User Experiences: AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of user data, enabling personalized recommendations and tailored experiences. Whether suggesting movies, curating playlists, or customizing news feeds, AI enhances user satisfaction and engagement.
- Automation and Efficiency: AI-powered automation streamlines processes and expands manufacturing, logistics, and customer service efficiency. Intelligent systems can handle routine tasks, which frees staff to concentrate on more complex and creative activities.
- Advanced Analytics and Predictive Capabilities: AI algorithms can extract valuable insights from large datasets, leading to better decision-making and forecasting. From predicting market trends to identifying potential health risks, AI has the potential to revamp data analysis and problem-solving.
Cybersecurity Risks
The biggest risk to the growth and continued development of the internet relates to cybersecurity. As cloud and AI services continue to ramp up, people may become hesitant to embrace these internet resources any further if a major cyber attack makes them appear more vulnerable.
Every year, more than 800,000 cyberattacks occur in the U.S. alone. If this number were to double or worse, people probably would become more resistant to depending on AI or cloud-based services.
This might jeopardize the future of the internet and drive users to look elsewhere. The key is whether anti-virus cybersecurity companies can keep up with opportunistic hackers. If they can, the possibilities for the internet are endless.
Anti-virus companies have been spending millions of dollars on research to get ahead of the curve as spammers and cyber attackers develop new, innovative ways to work smarter and grow ever more elusive with their strategies.
