Out with the old and in with the new— and hopefully out with the Chiefs' wide receivers while were talking about it. As we prep to enter 2024, we wanted to flag a couple of tech trends to watch out for in and out of the restaurant industry.
We're living in an era where the pace of tech evolution can make your head spin. Staying updated with tech trends isn't just about looking cool (although it helps); it's about staying relevant and future-proofing your life.
General Tech Trends for 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
While both AI and ML have made a splash in the past two years, these will reach even higher heights as more and more businesses adopt ways to make AI and ML integral to their business. The advent of generative AI like ChatGPT and Midjourney brought the idea home to a lot of people that AI is very real and could positively impact their lives.
While many companies (Google included) have actively sought to integrate AI into their workflows, there has been one company that has been notably silent on their AI implementation: Apple. While Apple has quietly launched an LLM known as Ferret, it wouldn't be surprising to see them announce a large integration with their swathe of tech toys.
Aside from Apple, AI is poised to make a large impact in cybersecurity, robotics (no Terminator please), and healthcare.
Virtual Reality
Love 'em or hate 'em, but Facebook (Meta) and Apple are generally both pretty good at staying ahead of the curve when it comes to technology— and with both putting a lot of resources into VR, it's safe to say that they see this as a part of our technological future.
And it makes sense! More and more people see VR as more than a new way to experience video games. People are creating VR experiences, movies, concerts, and classrooms, all of which can provide unique experiences to their users. (Now, should Apple drop the price tag of their Apple Vision Pro? Absolutely.)
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a cutting-edge field that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations at speeds unimaginable with classical computers. Unlike classical bits, which can represent information as either a 0 or a 1, quantum bits or qubits can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to the phenomenon of superposition.
Jargon aside, this means that quantum computers can explore multiple solutions to a problem in parallel, allowing for complex issues to be solved much faster than regular computers.
So what does this mean? Experts predict that quantum computing will be the next big tech shift after AI. The potential benefits are boundless. Quantum computing essentially increases the rate at which we learn and improve; this can apply to everything from medical discovery to optimizing supply chains.
We may not see this for years, but this advancement has become a when, not an if.
The Call For Individuality
Data-Driven Personalization
Customers are slowly requiring higher and higher levels of personalization to garner their interest. Luckily, restaurants have access to a wealth of information that, if processed well, can grant you access to unique and actionable insights.
It's more than just customer data, too. One of the most exciting insights we've cooked up is being able to tell which of your menu items are improving customer retention and which menu items are driving people away. These are insights that can only be found thanks to the processing power of AI.
The Tech Playground
It's a technological wonderland out there. It's a wild ride, but if you hop on, you're in for an exciting journey filled with AI, blockchain, 5G, and more. So, grab your Rayban® Meta Smart Glasses because the future is looking brighter (and tastier) than ever! Keep your eyes up and be on the lookout for new and exciting technology in years to come.
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