What Are the Latest Trends in Computer Science and Technology?
Updated April 30, 2024
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Computer science is among the most future-proof career fields — it's always changing and becomes more enmeshed in our lives every day. The latest computer technology can learn to adjust its actions to suit its environment, help carry out a complex surgery, map an organism's genome, or drive a car.
A complex web of industry needs, national security interests, healthcare opportunities, supply chain fragility, and user demand drive these trends. Technology developers and engineers are building the tools that may solve the climate crisis, make exceptional healthcare accessible to rural residents, or optimize the global supply chain.
If you plan to serve in computer science, you need to stay abreast of the trends — or risk falling behind.
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Top Computer Science Trends
Jump to a Computer Science Trend:
Generative AI | Quantum Computing | Bioinformatics | Remote Healthcare | Cybersecurity | Autonomic, Autonomous, and Hybrid Systems | Regenerative AgriTech
Generative AI
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, such as articles, images, and videos. Anyone who has used ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot has toyed with generative AI. These AI models can summarize and classify information or answer questions because they have been trained to recognize patterns in data.
The research firm McKinsey & Company predicts that in the coming years, generative AI could contribute $4.4 trillion to the economy annually. Despite its obvious business advantages, many AI tools create content that sounds convincing and authoritative but is riddled with inaccuracies. Using this content can put companies at risk of regulatory penalties or consumer pushback.
Still, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and chatbot developers strive to make AI better and more accessible.
Job Outlook: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that computer and information research scientist jobs, a broad career category that includes AI researchers, will grow 23% from 2022 to 2032. These workers earned a median wage of $145,080 in 2023. According to Payscale, as of April 2024, machine learning engineers make an average annual salary of $118,350.
Potential Careers:
- Computer Researcher
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Senior Data Scientist
- Robotics Engineer
- Algorithm Engineer
Education Required: Entry-level artificial intelligence jobs may require a bachelor's degree, but engineers, researchers, and data scientists often need a master's degree or a doctorate.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing operates on subatomic particles rather than a stream of binary impulses, and its bits, called qubits, can exist in more than one state simultaneously. It is much more powerful, but far less well-developed, than traditional computing. Should quantum computing become widely accessible, it would challenge current communication and cryptography practices.
Only a few quantum computing devices exist, and these are highly specialized. Although the concept of quantum computing has generated a lot of buzz, some experts wonder if the concept is truly viable, and whether the benefits outweigh the costs.
Nevertheless, organizations like the Central Intelligence Agency and tech companies like IBM are hiring quantum computing specialists. Many of these jobs call for a master's degree in a technical field like physics, mathematics, or electrical engineering.
Job Outlook:ZipRecruiter reports quantum computing professionals earn an average annual salary of $131,240 as of March 2024. Since quantum computing is still a relatively niche field, reliable job growth data is unavailable.
Potential Careers:
- Quantum Machine Learning Scientist
- Quantum Software Developer
- Quantum Algorithm Researcher
- Quantum Control Researcher
- Qubit Researcher
Education Required: Quantum computing careers usually require a graduate degree.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics combines biology with computer science and generally focuses on data collection and analysis. Biologists use bioinformatics to spot patterns in their data. For example, a scientist can use bioinformatics tools and techniques to help sequence organisms' genomes.
As knowledge of biology expands, so does interest in bioinformatics. For example, research from BDO, a professional services firm, indicates spending on research and development in biotech grew nearly 22% from 2018 to 2019. Bioinformatics companies include Helix, Seven Bridges, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Bioinformatics specialists should have skills in cluster analysis, algorithm development, server cluster management, and protein sequencing analysis. Careers in this industry include biostatistician, bioinformatician, and bioinformatics scientist.
Job Outlook: The BLS projects that bioengineer and biomedical engineer jobs will grow 5% from 2022 to 2032. These workers earned a median wage of $100,730 in 2023.
Potential Careers:
- Bioinformatics Research Scientist
- Bioinformatics Engineer
- Biomedical Researcher
- Biostatistician
- Computational Biologist
Education Required: Most bioinformatics careers require a bachelor's degree or higher. Leadership, research, and teaching positions may require a master's degree or Ph.D.
Remote Healthcare
Remote healthcare lets medical providers use technology to monitor the health of patients who cannot travel to providers' offices. Supporters of this field say remote healthcare improves patient outcomes while reducing costs.
EMARKETER produced a 2021 report that projects 70.6 million people will use remote patient monitoring devices by 2025, up from 29.1 million in 2020. The rising prevalence of chronic conditions, an aging patient population, and the need for cost-effective medical services are all helping drive this trend.
Physicians, therapists, and advanced practice professionals can use remote patient monitoring, but affordability, patient behaviors, and lack of awareness threaten widespread adoption. Companies in this field include GYANT, Medopad, and Cardiomo.
Job Outlook: The BLS projects that the healthcare field will have 1.8 million annual openings from 2022 to 2032. Healthcare practitioners and technical workers earned a median wage of $80,820 in 2023.
Potential Careers:
- Doctor
- Physician Assistant
- Nurse Practitioner
- Registered Nurse
- Healthcare Business Analyst
- Health Tech Software Engineer
- Licensed Professional Counselor
Education Required: Doctors need an MD or DO, advanced practice professionals and counselors must hold a master's degree, and registered nurses need at least an associate degree. All medical providers must also hold licensure.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is an umbrella term that refers to protecting digital assets from cyberthreats. Most attacks are coordinated efforts to access or change information, extort money, or disrupt business.
In 2022, McKinsey & Associates projected the cost of cybersecurity attacks would grow to $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, increasing 300% from 2015. Sophisticated artificial intelligence tools drive an increase in deep fakes, hacking, and data breaches. Companies such as Cisco, IBM, and Palo Alto Networks are building novel cybersecurity technologies to combat these threats.
Jobs in the field include security engineer, cryptographer, and ethical hacker. These positions often pay lucrative salaries and require academic degrees and professional credentials, such as the CompTIA security+ certification. Cybersecurity is not generally an entry-level field, so most new practitioners have computer science experience.
Job Outlook: The BLS projects that information security analyst jobs will grow 32% from 2022 to 2032. These workers earned a median wage of $120,360 in 2023.
Potential Careers:
- Information Security Analyst
- Digital Forensic Examiner
- IT Auditor
- Penetration Tester
- Security Engineer
Education Required: Cybersecurity experts usually need a bachelor's degree and relevant professional certifications.
Autonomic, Autonomous, and Hybrid Systems
Autonomous may sound synonymous with autonomic, but the two words actually have different meanings. Autonomous machines operate with little or no human control — think of industrial robots or self-driving cars. Autonomic computing, in contrast, controls itself while also responding to its environment — think of the industrial Internet of Things and predictive AI.
This field has generated tremendous interest for its capacity to alter healthcare provision, transportation, supply chains, and anything that depends on smart technology. Companies like Tesla, Fetch Robotics, and Knightscope work in autonomic, autonomous, and hybrid systems, building everything from self-piloting security robots to intelligent machines that assist warehouse workers.
Autonomic, autonomous, and hybrid systems may lead to tremendous creative freedom for human beings. However, these subfields also present numerous ethical and moral questions, such as who is responsible for intelligent machines' bad decisions?
Job Outlook: The BLS projects that aerospace engineer jobs will grow 6% and mechanical engineer jobs will grow 10% from 2022 to 2032. In 2023, these professionals earned median wages of $130,720 and $99,510, respectively. According to Payscale data from April 2024, machine learning engineers make an average annual salary of $118,350.
Potential Careers:
- Chief Engineer - Autonomous Systems Development
- Autonomous Control Systems Design Engineer
- Autonomy Engineer
- Machine Learning Accelerator Architect
- Silicon Emulation Engineer
Education Required: Engineers who build autonomous systems usually need a bachelor's degree and state licensure. Professionals who work in universities may need a Ph.D.
Regenerative Agritech
Regenerative agriculture takes a holistic approach to farming that aims to foster biodiversity, rebuild soil, and promote food security. Under this method, farmers seek to limit their greenhouse gas emissions, reduce synthetic fertilizers, and improve water usage.
These goals require technological tools that companies such as Trace Genomics, Future Fields, and ProducePay create. For example, Future Fields built a device to harness fruit flies and produce recombinant proteins sustainably.
While regenerative agriculture may become a powerful tool to help decarbonize the food system, reduce climate change, and improve crop resilience, it needs to scale three times faster than its current growth rate to maximize its benefits, according to a 2023 report from the European Commission. The field will require greater technological innovations to fulfill its potential.
Job Outlook: The BLS projects that agricultural engineer jobs will grow 6% from 2022 to 2032. These workers made a median wage of $88,750 in 2023.
Potential Careers:
- Agritech Research Associate
- Bioeconomy Consultant
- Agricultural Digital and Technology Leader
- Agritech Program Designer
- Agricultural Engineer
Education Required: Agricultural engineers usually need a bachelor's degree. Program designers and research associates may need a graduate degree.
More Tech Trends on the Horizon
Digital trendsetters are working in industry, academia, government, and professional organizations to advance machine capabilities, safety, and accessibility. Consequently, some niche industries create new opportunities with nascent technologies.
For example, digital twin models can let scientists perform research more thoroughly to make products and processes safer. Similarly, low-power AI accelerators may allow autonomous vehicles or AI robots to perform their typical work when a power grid or battery is unavailable.
Other long-standing trends continue to advance: Blockchain, edge computing, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things are growing in capacity or user acceptance.
Human-computer interaction is also scaling up: As devices become wearable or implantable and the line between the virtual and physical worlds gets blurrier, existential questions about humanity, reality, and ethics are taking on greater significance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trends in Computer Science
What's the next big thing in computer science?
Artificial intelligence is probably the most-discussed technology in the computer science universe right now. Future developments for AI include intersections with cryptography, virtual reality, and hyperdimensional vectors.
Do I need to go to school to learn computer science?
You do not have to learn computer science in a formal classroom, but attending school can help you acquire knowledge faster and launch your career more effectively. Consider a bootcamp, certificate, or micro-master's program if a full computer science degree isn't for you.
What new technologies in computer science should I learn?
New computer science technologies include innovations in artificial intelligence, data analytics, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, UI/UX design, and quantum computing. You can also study fields like blockchain, edge computing, and the Internet of Things.
Which fields of computer science are in most demand?
The BLS projects that information security analyst, software developer, and computer and information research scientist jobs will each grow more than 20% between 2022 and 2032 — much faster than the national projected growth for all careers. In-demand computer science subfields include robotics, bioinformatics, machine learning, computer forensics, big data, and cloud computing.
Page last reviewed April 16, 2024.
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