8 emerging technologies worth investing

If you think that S&P 500 index fund is the highest and safest fund to invest, with its average return of 10.5%, you might be surprised of other options. Still safe, still stable, yet giving you 12.7%.

To be exact, this is with a total return of 12.7% over the past 12 months, the period March 2021 – Feb 2022. These stocks belong to Tech stocks, represented by the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund, XLK, which have outperformed the broader market over the past year. 

The technology sector of economy is more diverse than you imagine. It includes not only businesses of services and goods in hardware, electronics, instruments, computers and semiconductors.  It is also composed of companies that are into information technologies (IT), hardware, artificial intelligence (AI) – and this sector includes companies with the world’s highest capitalization. 

No surprise, that tech stocks, like any others, perform the best at long-term investments. Example? XLK funds show 29.06% at a 3-Year Daily Total Return.

What are the new technologies worth investing in 2022?

1. AI, Artificial Intelligence

 What’s that in simple terms?

The future is now – we live in the era of self-moving cars, books written by machines, music created by machines. A man invented a train to use it instead of a horse and a stove to use it instead of a fire pit. AI is doing mental work in the same way as machines substituted hard physical work. 

Who created AI?

John McCarthy, the father of AI, was using a term “computational intelligence” along with a newly coined “artificial intelligence”. McCarthy is not just the father of AI, he is also the inventor Lisp (list processing) language.

His aim was to find the way to construct a mechanism or an algorithm that would combine the best qualities of a human brain and a machine speed for abstract thinking and problem solving. “Every aspect of learning or any other feature of intelligence can, in principle, be described so precisely that a machine can be made to simulate it,” he claimed.

How is that useful for humanity?

3 sectors implementing AI the most are banking, healthcare and technology. Businesses successfully apply AI for data science, machine learning, conversational platforms, context-aware computing and so much more.

What’s next?

The AI market will be worth $190bn in 2025, up from $67bn in 2021, according to GlobalData. 

What businesses / funds may I invest in now?

You may consider shares of companies with the strongest positions in the market.

• Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)
• Alphabet Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL)
• Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)
• Microsoft Corp. (MSFT)
• International Business Machines Corp. (IBM)
• Meta Platforms Inc. (FB)
• DocuSign Inc. (DOCU)
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSM)

2. Cryptocurrency 

What’s that in simple terms?

Cryptocurrency, or crypto, is any form of currency that exists digitally or virtually and uses cryptography to secure deals. 

Blockchain is the technology that enables the performance of cryptocurrency (among other things). 

Who created the term?

The cryptocurrency was constructed in 2008 by an unknown person or group of people using the name Satoshi Nakamoto. The currency began use in 2009 when its performance was released as open-source software.

How is it useful for humanity?

Cryptocurrencies have been described as a transformative technology that could change drastically a number of industries. Cryptocurrencies may also provide a safe store of value as long as they cannot be printed or taken hold of.

Online transactions are safe and secure, and investment possibilities are tremendous.

The future for crypto

Initially people were very skeptical about crypto, not so many believed in competing digital assets with traditional ones. Now new crypto currencies are being introduced every year. 

The global cryptocurrency market will more than triple by 2030, reaching an estimation of nearly $5 billion. Investors, businesses, and brands can’t ignore the rising tide of crypto.

What businesses / funds may I invest in now?

Investment rule: investing in risky assets is potentially the most profitable. Potentially, keep this in mind. So, crypto is no exception.

A safer but potentially less profit-making option is buying the stocks of companies with exposure to cryptocurrency.

Many cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Enthereum are launched with high objectives, which may be achieved over long time horizons. While the success of any cryptocurrency project is not assured, early investors in a crypto project were highly rewarded over the long term.

Buying cryptocurrency will anyway diversify your portfolio. You may purchase crypto directly or buy the stocks of companies like PayPal, Block or Coinbase – these companies profit from the rise of cryptocurrencies.

The overall list of the most popular cryptocurrencies be like that (as stated on April 5^th, 2022)

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ether (ETH)
• Solana (SOL)
• Terra (LUNA)
• Binance Coin (BNB)
• Aave (AAVE)
• Uniswap (UNI)

Keep in mind

Stay curious and stay cautious. Complete regulatory framework about crypto is still not there, that’s an important thing to recognize. There are ETFs and ETPs in Canada and European countries that track crypto currencies but these haven’t received regulatory approval in the USA and Southern America and in so many other countries.

3. 5G

What’s that in simple terms?

5G is the 5th generation mobile network and is expected to be the fastest wireless technology ever created. 5G enables a new technology that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects, and devices.

Who invented

It is not possible to single out a company or a person who owns 5G, but there are several companies within the mobile ecosystem that are contributing to bringing 5G to life. To be exact, Qualcomm has played a major role in inventing the many foundational technologies that drive the industry forward and make up 5G, the next wireless standard.

How is that useful for humanity?

5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Improved  performance and higher efficiency empower new user experiences and connect new industries.

Future prospects

The next-generation mobile communication technology, or 6G is believed to change the world. Again. It will reshape the world by enabling intelligent interaction between the virtual world and the physical world, and serving the intelligently connected society of all things.

What businesses / funds may I invest in now?

There are quite a few approaches in investing in 5G technology. Just to name a few: 5G networks, network providers, semiconductor manufacturers and even real estate investment trusts. If you want to stay ahead of what’s new in technology investments, here are some 5G stocks to consider.

• Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ)
• American Tower Corp. (AMT)
• Digital Realty Trust Inc. (DLR)
• Equinix Inc. (EQIX)
• SBA Communications Corp. (SBAC)
• AT&T Inc. (T)
• Ciena Corp. (CIEN)
• Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)

4. Video Game industry 

What’s that in simple terms?

The video game industry is the industry engaged in the video games development, marketing, and monetization. It embraces multiple job disciplines and creates thousands of jobs worldwide. Just in the recent years the video game industry managed to grow to the mainstream in recent years

Who created the term?

Atari and its release of Pong in 1972 gave a birth to the industry, though the early prototypes of video games had been developed in labs in the 1960s

Another step of the industry was due to the sensational success of the arcade table-tennis game. Customers were eager to play and companies were eager to earn on producing the knock-off versions.

How is that useful for humanity?

Apart from the obvious statement of entertaining people and letting them have good time, the gaming industry inspires innovation. How? By experimenting, exploring and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. All these, plus a race for this piece of pie, is driving companies like Google and Microsoft to create new technologies to serve the billions of gamers around the world. 

Future prospects?

The gamers are 26% of the world’s population. No surprise that companies want their market share. In 2020, the gaming industry generated $155 billion in revenue, By 2025, analysts predict the industry will generate more than $260 billion in revenue. The number of gamers is constantly increasing as well. 

Pandemic effect

The video-game industry happened to be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the pandemic, growing 23% in 2020 from the year prior. Though growth probably won’t be as explosive in future years, research firm Newzoo still predicts revenue growth.

What businesses / funds may I invest in now?

Gaming is one of the world’s biggest entertainment industries, that has seen a meteoric rise in correlation with rapid technology advancement. Of course it has become one of the most profitable and fastest-growing sectors for investments.

Consider following businesses:

• Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX)
• Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD)
• Unity Software Inc (NYSE: U)
• Sea Ltd (NYSE: SE)
• Sohu.com Ltd.  (NASDAQ: SOHU)
• Nintendo Co. Ltd

5. Internet of things

What’s that in simple terms?

The Internet of Things (IoT) describes the network of things, or physical objects, or devices, integrated into a whole system. It is inserted with sensors, software, and other technologies in order to connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet. Simply speaking, it connects two worlds – virtual and real.

Who created the term?

Somewhat between 2008 and 2009 it was Kevin Ashton, an innovator and consumer sensor expert, who coined the phrase “the Internet of Things” to describe the network connecting objects in the physical world to the Internet.

How is that useful for humanity?

Oh, we get so much!

• Connected appliances
• Smart home security systems
• Autonomous farming equipment
• Wearable health monitors
• Smart factory equipment
• Wireless inventory trackers
• Ultra-high speed wireless internet
• Biometric cybersecurity scanners

You’re probably already using at least one of these right now: smart appliances (iRobot). fitness and trackers (like Fitbits), voice assistants (Siri and Alexa), smart cars (Tesla).. With IoTs rapid deployment coming into contact with multiple IoT devices every day will be unavoidable soon.

Future perspectives?

The Internet of Things market will reach $1.46 trillion by 2027, according to research by Fortune Business Insights.

What businesses / funds may I invest in now?

Here are some of the fastest growing companies in IoT:

• Arlo Technologies (NYSE:ARLO)
• Cloudflare (NYSE:NET)
• Endava PLC (NYSE:DAVA)
• ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ:ON)
• SiTime (NASDAQ:SITM)
• Viomi Technology (NASDAQ:VIOT)
• Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ:ZBRA)

6. The Metaverse

What’s that in simple terms?

You are probably aware of Meta as a former Facebook, but the general definition of the Metaverse is as follows: it’s a 3-D virtual world or a network where users can interact, do business, and forge social connections through their virtual “avatars.”  People share both virtual and real experiences in real time.   

Who created the term

The word Metaverse was initially coined by author Neal Stephenson in 1992 to describe a future world of virtual reality. 

How is it helpful for humanity

Some people might say it’s a crucial disconnection between real and virtual lives that an individual has created in Metaverse. However, within the Metaverse, you can make friends, design virtual jewelry items, buy virtual real estate, attend events, create and sell digital art — and earn money to boot. 

And just think of rearing a virtual pet or sending your virtual clone to a meeting. Of course, pandemic boosted the development of Metaverse with so many employees working remotely. Creating virtual workplaces helped escape social disconnections.

Future prospects

Investment in a global Metaverse could reach $800bn by 2024, according to Bloomberg Intelligence, and Big Tech is already investing significantly even though realization of the full global Metaverse is some way off. 

What businesses / funds may I invest in now?

Anyway, keep in mind that investing in the Metaverse is a long-term play. On a macro level, Grand View Research estimates that the industry will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 39.4% through 2030 and attain a market size of $678 billion

Please consider:

• Autodesk Inc. (ticker: ADSK) 
• Shopify Inc. (SHOP)
• Match Group Inc. (MTCH)
• Meta Platforms (FB)
• Nvidia Corp. (NVDA)
• Electronic Arts Inc. (EA)

7. Quantum computing

What’s that in simple terms?

Normal computer bit can be 0 or 1, a qubit can be either 0 or 1, or a superposition of both 0 and 1. Unlike normal computing, quantum computing is made up of qubits, not bits, using the phenomena of quantum physics.

Who invented quantum computing?

The first quantum computer (2-qubit) was created by Mark Kubinec of the University of California, Isaac Chuang of the Los Alamos National Laboratory and Neil Gershenfeld of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1998.

How is that useful for humanity?

So many fields could benefit greatly from the use of quantum computing. To name a few: Big Data search, digital manufacturing, drug design and discovery, finance, military affairs and intelligence, aerospace designing.

Regular computers are classical for everyday tasks while quantum computers are better for data analyses or running simulations.

IBM designed quantum computers are able to solve complex problems that today’s most powerful supercomputers cannot solve, and never will.

Future prospects?

Quantum computers will allow for the storage and processing of data in ways that we cannot even comprehend today. 

Quantum simulations will be able to replace laboratory experiments, reduce the cost of research and even minimize the need for human and animal testing. 

From 412 million U.S. dollars in 2020 the revenues of the global are projected to reach 8.6 billion U.S. dollars by 2027.

What businesses may I consider now?

• IBM 
• QCI
• Xanadu
• Microsoft Azure Quantum
• D-Wave Systems

8. The robotics

What’s that in simple terms?

There are two main types of robots used in the robotics industry right now: industrial robots and service robots. Industrial robots are used in factories to automate parts of the manufacturing process and include caged industrial robots and cobots (collaborative robots, that are intended to work hand-in-hand with employees.). Service robots are those used in non-industrial fields. They assist people at work in the home, and include logistics, medical, consumer and field robots.

Who created the term?

The word robotics was first used to describe this field of study only.

It was the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov who created the “Three Laws of Robotics” which were a recurring theme in his books. According to another version. it was Karel Čapek, Czech novelist and journalist , who introduced it in his 1920 hit play, R.U.R., or Rossum’s Universal Robots.

How is that useful for humanity?

Robots and machines are unique in their ability to learn which gives them the immense range of applications by humans. They can manage new processes, adapt their behavior and simply adapt to their ecosystems.

In general, they enhance the quality level of human lives.

Future prospects?

The robotics industry will be worth $568bn by 2030, up from $45bn in 2020, according to GlobalData. 

The balance of industrial robots vs service robots market is going to change – from service robots sector domination in 2020 we’ll come to the fast growth of the industrial robots sector by 2030.  

Best Robotics stocks to buy for 2022

Robotics stocks are gaining popularity like fire:

• iRobot Corporation (NASDAQ:IRBT)
• Novanta Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVT)
• ABB Ltd (NYSE:ABB)
• Omnicell, Inc. (NASDAQ:OMCL)
• UiPath Inc. (NYSE:PATH)