MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION

SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS

TECHNOLOGY

P.O BOX 7062, KAMPALA, UGANDA

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND

TECHNOLOGY
(BIST-EVE YEAR 1)

GROUP PROJECT

EMERGING TRENDS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND

TECHNOLOGY
LECTURER: MR. JACOB KATENDE

BY: GROUP A
 GROUP MEMBERS

NO. NAME REG.NO

1 LARRY EKINI 22/U/3300/EVE
2 GANYANA EMMAMUEL 22/U/5059/EVE
3 KEMIGISA ANNET 22/U/3224/EVE
4 RWAKAKAIGA PHILMON 22/U/3795/EVE
5 TUMWESIGYE EZAT 22/U/3911/EVE
6 MUYANJA CHRIS RYAN 22/U/3469/EVE

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 Qn1. Describe how the new Information Systems Technologies (IST) are
being used now or proposed to be used in the future in the following
domains that is, in health, education, agriculture, business,
telecommunication, manufacturing, banking, transport, wild life,
Aquatics.

Abstract: The information systems and technology industry (IST) is experiencing a

massive transformation like never before and more brands are looking to expand in
this area because of the immense amount of potential. IST has various applications,
which is also why it is proven to be a beneficial key component in the entire structure
that many industry domains now have. With growing importance in domains such as
health, education, agriculture and many others to mention but a few, it becomes
important to understand the aspects of this industry and the key components that
make the revolutionary tool it is.

Keywords: Information systems and technology (IST)

Introduction

New trends emerge within this industry every year, and it is important for
professionals and learners to be familiar with all these trends and all they entail
(Linchpin, 2022). These modern technologies develop symbiotically and inevitably
affect one another. For instance, mobile internet depends on cloud computing and
facilitates Internet of Things development. Therefore, a breakthrough in one area
stimulates innovations in other.

This rapid, ever-changing industry is full of new technologies, tools, software and
innovative ideas. In this document, we will look at the following top information
technology trends such as Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine learning, virtual
reality and Augmented reality, IoT Networks, Robotic Process Automation (RPA),
cloud computing and Edge computing etc. as used in the following domains

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 1. Health

The healthcare is one of the major domains where new IST trends have been
intensively employed. These technologies have improved various fields in the
healthcare domain such as AI, machine learning used to operate complex tasks that
involve technical procedures and operation which would take time. The following are
the new IST trends that have been employed in the healthcare domain.

a) Virtual Surgeries

Virtual reality is increasingly being used to train health care providers, assist with pain
management and provide telemedicine across the globe. According to on study, it
plays an important role in improving doctor’s performance and is used as a
complementary education tool. Laparoscopic surgery can be taught using VR, and
this type of training leads to high perform

b) Wearables, sensors and the internet of Things

The development and use of wearable technologies, sensors and other connected
devices for providing various healthcare services in hospitals, as well as home, has
been increasing in the past few years. In addition to tracking patients, it can also be
for tracking equipment and medicines. For example, an IoT-enabled smart fridge was
developed by waka solutions using Microsoft IoT to support the supply chain
management of vaccines.

c) Big data, Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

Large amounts of data in health domains is generated on daily basis through various
modes of technologies that have penetrated the healthcare industry. AI and Machine
learning play a huge role in adding meaning to collected data, which tends to be
largely unstructured. Clinical diagnosis has been improved by AI through analyzing
complex medical data entirely by training machines with all kinds of health data to
mirror the processes of human learning.

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 2. Education

Majority of information system and technology (IST) trends relate to fostering 21 st

century skills with the help of technology in new and innovative ways. Technological
innovations such as cloud computing, leaning analytics, mobile computing and
others directly relate to improving students learning as explained below.

a) Cloud computing

Cloud computing mainly involves on demand services that are provide to the user
through connection to the internet. The software as a service (SaaS) module provided
by cloud service providers such as Google Drive and Drop Box can be used by
students to access homework assignments, textbooks and support materials
anywhere they can connect with the cloud. Although cloud computing involves other
service provisions such as infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service
(PaaS) these are less commonly used than SaaS in education institutions due to
financial constraints.

b) Learning analytics

Every student interaction with a mobile device or piece of software is an opportunity

to gather real-time data about that particular student that can then be used to create
personalized learning experiences driven by the unique academic needs of that
student (Edutopia, 2013). Once data is collected and aggregated, educators will know
more about the entire body of students using these tools, and help is advanced to
concerned students with special learning abilities.

c) Mobile learning

These have become portable, powerful, and intuitive, making them particularly useful
as educational tools. Rather than the old traditional approach to education,
institutions more especially the high learning education institutions are developing
resources optimized for mobile devices where classroom contents can be accessed
by students. This technology trend is accompanied by various IST technologies like
AI, virtual reality etc. to enhance learning.

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 3. Agriculture.

Agriculture as the least digitalized globally, has seen a momentum in the

development and commercialization of its technologies growing. The sector is
attracting new perspectives and capital, as well as emerging technologies as
discussed below.

a) Gene editing

In plants, gene editing is performed on cultured plant cells, which are then
regenerated into whole plants, resulting in improvements such as disease resistance,
drought tolerance, or the absence of allergens. In animals, gene editing is performed
on the single cell that develops into an embryo, which grows into an animal. Gene
editing has created improvements to date such as polled cattle, in-egg sex
identification for poultry, and virus-resistant pigs.

b) Autonomous farming machinery (Robotics)

One of the key features of robots in agriculture is the ability to collect data, include
information on yield, chemical use, soil data, livestock stress, and crop condition.
Robotic technology has the potential to utilise many other technologies such as
satellites and IoT to link live information in the field to data such as commodity
prices, market demand and supply, and predicted weather patterns. By collecting and
processing this field data, robots have the capability to help reduce operating costs
associated with insecticides, herbicides and fertilisers hence reduction on operational
costs in the long run (Nikkei, 2016).

c) Hydroponics and vertical Farming

With better yields, reduced water consumption and even better taste and texture of
end products among them. Plants grown with hydroponic methods don’t need
extensive root systems, allowing them to devote more energy to the production of
leaves and fruit and tend to reach maturity faster and are safe from pests and
diseases due to their indoor cultivation (McCurdy, 2022). And with sustainability, the
smaller footprint of virtual farms allows them to be placed closer to or even within
areas of high population density, which reduces need for transport and the harmful
emissions associated with it.

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 4. Business

Like any other industry, business industries witness various changes in the fashion of
its working overtime. The following are the latest business trends and how they are
improving the business industry.

a) E-commerce

The standard definition of E-commerce is a commercial transaction which takes place

over the internet. Online stores like Amazon, E-bay, Olx flipkart are examples of E-
commerce websites. business transactions can be done in four major ways, Business
to business (B2B), Business to customer (B2C), customer to customer (C2C) and
Customer to business. As of now, e-commerce is one of the fastest growing
industries in the global economy with a growth estimation of 23% every year and is
projected to be a $27 trillion industry by the end of the decade.

b) Digital banking

Digital transformations are inevitable and 2022 saw businesses upgrade their digital
assets to improve operations. Going into 2023, the speed at which businesses
transform digitally will not tone down. From 2022, Digital banking has become
among the top digital transformation trends. Most banking services are now online –
from loan applications to digital payments. It is forecast that there will be a rise in
digital banking in the coming years. This will make a great transformation impact in
the financial sector.

c) Cloud-based solutions

Cloud-based solutions are becoming increasingly popular due to several benefits,

including scalability, cost savings, and ease of use. Many organizations are moving
away from traditional on-premises software and leveraging cloud-based solutions.
The cloud is a more efficient and cost-effective way to run business applications.
Businesses and companies utilizing digital technology require improved data
security. As technology improves, so do the threats coming from hackers, thus the
need to improve data security measures (Lokeswara and Kamba, 2022).

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 5. Telecommunication

Telecommunications services have become more important than ever especially

during the covid-19 pandemic, with virtual channels like instant messaging, phone
and video calls becoming the primary means of communication. Remote working
and education have also been a common place over the pandemic with any involved
in online working and education.

a) Video conferencing

Video conferencing has been there for a couple of years, but it skyrocketed in
popularity during the recent covid-19 pandemic. calling and Tons of video
conferencing applications have emerged with a soul goal of connecting families,
members in an organization through virtual conferences and communications. Video
collaboration software such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams have
recorded a tremendous increase in the number of users for the past two years.

b) 5G mobile networks

The latest iteration of broadband mobile technology, 5G uses high-frequency radio

spectrum to provide faster data speeds and lower latency than previous 4G and 3G
technologies. 5G networks are still being rolled out by the major mobile network
operators. 5G provides increased data rates and reduced latency to support greater
connectivity and enables M2M services an the IoT and became commercially
available in 2019.

c) Satellite services

Satellite communications supplement mobile and fixed line communication services

to ensure that even the most remote locations can be connected. Satellite
communications are experiencing a significant period of technological innovation
and disruption in the provision and delivery of services. We continue to engage
internationally on the coordination, development and implementation of measures
to enhance spectrum use for satellite communications.

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 6. Manufacturing

The manufacturing industry has evolved over the centuries from human-centered
methods to machine-reliant assembly lines to highly automated factories we’re
seeing now (Marr, 2022). And the industry continues to evolve with the following
trends in technology.

a) Digital twins

Digital twins can be used to simulate any physical process or object. For example, in
a manufacturing setting, a digital twin could be used to simulate a new product's
dimensions or create a digital replica of the equipment on the factory floor to see
how the machinery operates under certain conditions. Digital twin technology can
even be used to visualize and simulate an entire supply chain. By 2022, as many as 70
percent of manufacturers may be using digital twins to conduct simulations and
evaluations – which gives you an idea of just how transformative this trend could be.

b) 3D printing and Product modeling

As 3D printing becomes more cost-effective, efficient, and scalable, manufacturers

will increasingly be able to make products using 3D printing methods – which use
fewer materials and create less waste than traditional manufacturing methods. I
believe 3D printing will also drive a new era of personalization because individually
personalized products can be made without worrying about economies of scale. Plus,
3D printing can help to drive innovation by allowing rapid prototyping.

c) Industrial Internet of thing (IIoT)

Industrial internet of things simply involves interconnected devices used in

manufacturing and industrial settings to collect data that can be used to enhance the
manufacturing process. Sensors are a prime example of these IIoT devices. Data
gathered from sensors on factory machines can help manufacturers understand how
machines are performing, optimize the maintenance process, reduce machine
downtime, and even predict when things will go wrong. Which brings us to the next
big trend in manufacturing

7. Banking

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Banking systems and financial institution are integral part of an economy. Nowadays
banking is not only limited to acceptance of cash deposits and granting of loans to
needy persons. Current banking industry and financial services constitutes new
innovative services with a new technology system which include the following.

a) Blockchain and Distributed ledger technology

Blockchain technology and its associated distributed ledgers were devised as a

simple yet smart solution to keep track of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency in circulation.
The solution leveraged a ‘distributed ledger’ architecture under which all users who
participated as ‘nodes’ in the network had a copy of the entire ledger. This implied
that all participants had full visibility of all the transactions at all points in time.

In essence, blockchain architecture could enable a disintermediated and extremely

tamper-proof ledger through which interested parties could directly exchange
information or even value between each other in near real-time with no requirement
for a trusted third party.

b) Quantum computing

A quantum computer is a new type of computer that harnesses the power of

quantum mechanics to solve problems that were previously believed to be
intractable on regular computers. Today computers store information in bits, as 0s
and 1s, a quantum computer uses quantum bits, know as qubits, which exist can exist
as 0, 1, or a combination of 0 and 1. This ability of existence in multiple states is know
as superposition. This enables quantum computers to carry out parallel calculations,
and thus makes it possible to solve problems exponentially faster.

c) AI and cognitive technologies

Artificial Intelligence considered science fiction a few years ago, is now becoming a
part of our business environment and is reinventing the entire ecosystem of the
banking sector. Increasing the level of automation and using dynamic systems, AI
supports decision-making, enhances the customer experience with AI-driven
assistants that attend to customer related queries, and improves operation efficiency.

8. Transport

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New technologies are currently becoming available, forming the foundation of major
transitions in mobility. Connectivity technologies and 5G, environmental perception
systems (smart sensors), artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain are examples
of these emerging technologies. Some of these technologies are in fact a cluster
consisting of several underlying technologies. Big data for instance is not a
technology but is referring to the possibilities of having access to (large quantities of)
data supply, and being able to analyze large quantities of data. So, it is not a
technology but a concept made possible by other technologies ( Schroten et al. 2020).

a) Smart sensors

Modern vehicles have been equipped with many internal sensors in the past years:
fuel level, engine temperature, battery level, seat belt reminder, to mention a few.
These sensors are mostly meant for monitoring the safe state of the vehicle. With the
advent of cooperative, connected and automated mobility, external sensors like
radars and cameras have been introduced. The purpose of these sensors is to detect
the presence and behavior of other transport users (Schroten et al. 2020).

b) Autonomous Vehicles (AV tesla, NuTonomy)

According to the Uk department of transport “a fully autonomous vehicle (AV) is

capable of completing journey safely and efficiently without a driver in a normally
encountered traffic, road and weather conditions. Autonomous cars are powered by
advanced technologies such as Artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data
with the help of connectivity to sensors, and IoT devices which interact all together.

c) Mobility as a Service (MaaS)

MaaS is a transportation resource model in which travelers access a combine set of

public and private transportation services through a consolidated interface such as
Transit app and Google Maps which has become popular for its transportation
services in finding of locations, routes and insights about a place to a traveler. This
interface is usually accessed through a phone app, and could also be accessed on a
computer or through an electronic information board.

9. Wild life

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The earth has a wide variety of natural ecosystems, including a wide variety of wild
animals and plants. Activities such as illegal wildlife trade, the spread of invasive
species and diseases, and human impacts on the Earth's climate are changing the
nature of wildlife habitats. For this reason, over the last few decades, various
conservation strategies, initiatives, and technical solutions have been at the forefront.
(Shahi, 2022).

a) Drone monitoring

Various countries have designated special zones in national parks and game reserves
where strict laws for prosecuting criminals are in force. However, due to a lack of
resources, it is difficult to prosecute illegal activities. National parks often span
thousands of square kilometres, making it difficult to effectively monitor all areas.
This is where drones and surveillance techniques help human rangers dramatically
improve the scope and effectiveness of their surveillance activities without physically
placing them in remote locations (Shahi, 2022).

b) PIT Tags

Passive integrated transponders (PIT tags) help track the movement of various
terrestrial, aquatic, and even aerial species. The tag is inserted into the animal and
acts like a pet's microchip (Shahi, 2022). With the help of PIT tags various vital
information about a particular animal can be obtained and analyzed on demand.
These tags are of great importance in location of animals.

c) Acoustic Monitoring

At the same time, new developments in machine learning and computer vision have
made it possible to automatically extract useful ecological information from hours of
recordings. Animals use sound for communication, echolocation, sexual display, and
territorial defense. Bio acoustic monitoring records these sounds to infer the
distribution, physiological state, frequency, and behavior of the animal (Shahi, 2022).

d) Camera Trap: 

The latest camera traps are digital cameras connected to infrared sensors that can
"detect" moving warm objects such as animals. When the animal passes the sensor,
the camera is triggered and an image or video is recorded on the memory card for
later retrieval. The development of networked camera traps capable of transmitting
near real-time images over the phone or satellite network has provided a new tool in
the fight against poaching.

10.Aquatics

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Aquatics is a term that refers to activities that take place in or around water. This can
include recreational activities such as swimming, diving, and water sports, as well as
more structured activities like water aerobics and competitive swimming. Aquatics
can also refer to the study of aquatic life and ecosystems, including the plants and
animals that live in the water. The following are current trends in Aquatics.

a) Aquatic robots (AUVs)

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are underwater robots that are designed to
operate without the need for a human operator. These vehicles are equipped with a
range of sensors and other technology that allow them to navigate and perform a
variety of tasks in the underwater environment. AUVs are used for a wide range of
applications, including ocean exploration, habitat mapping, and monitoring of
aquatic ecosystems. They can be programmed to follow a specific course or to search
for specific targets, and they can operate at depths of up to several thousand meters.

AUVs are typically powered by batteries, and they are designed to be lightweight and
maneuverable. Some AUVs are small and portable, while others are larger and more
complex, with the ability to carry a range of sensors and other equipment.

b) Smart swimsuits

Smart swimsuits are equipped with sensors and other technology that can track and
monitor a swimmer's performance in real-time. These suits can provide feedback on
a variety of metrics, such as stroke efficiency, distance, speed, and heart rate. Some
smart swimsuits also have the ability to connect to a smartphone or other device,
allowing the swimmer to view their performance data and track their progress over
time. Smart swimsuits are still a relatively new technology, and they are being
developed for a variety of applications.

c) Remote sensing

Remote sensing is widely used in the field of aquatics to monitor and study aquatic
environments, including coral reefs and other underwater ecosystems. Advanced
sensors and satellite imagery can be used to gather data on water quality,
temperature, salinity, and other factors that can impact the health and productivity of
aquatic systems. This data can be used to understand the impacts of climate change
and other environmental stresses on aquatic ecosystems, and to develop strategies
for protecting and conserving these important resources.

Conclusion

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Emerging trends in information systems and technology are transforming the way we
live and work. Some of the key trends that are shaping the future of information
systems and technology as explained in this document include: Artificial intelligence
(AI) and machine learning, Cloud computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain and
Virtual and augmented reality.

Overall, these emerging trends in information systems and technology are helping to
drive innovation and efficiency in a wide range of sectors, from health, Education,
transportation etc. They are also creating new opportunities for business and
employment, and are helping to shape the future of our society and economy.

Qn2. What challenges have contributed to the slow adoption of these

new ISTs in any two of the domains identified in a) above?

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The adoption of new information systems and technologies is often slowed by a
range of challenges and barriers. Some of the key challenges that have contributed
to slow adoption of new information systems and technologies include complexity,
data security and privacy, accessibility etc.

These and other challenges make it difficult for organizations to adopt new
information systems and technologies, and can slow the rate of adoption of these
technologies. However, this document focuses mainly on challenges faced by the
education and Agriculture domains

1. Agriculture

There are several challenges that have contributed to the slow adoption of new
information systems and technologies in agriculture. Some of these challenges
include:

I. Cost:

Implementing new technology can be expensive, and many farmers and agricultural
businesses may not have the budget to do so.

II. Training and support:

Farmers and agricultural workers may need to be trained on how to use the new
technology, which can be time-consuming and require additional resources.

III. Integration with existing systems:

New technology may need to be integrated with existing systems, which can be a
complex and challenging process, this is evident with the Internet of Things which
make use of sensors and internet connection to create, manipulate and share data.

IV. Trust:

Farmers are used to physically and visually inspecting assets, and may not have
confidence to offload critical tasks to technology. The benefits of IoT are also
accelerated when data is exchanged between different providers along the value
chain, and there is a general lack of confidence in data privacy and security amongst
farmers. The IoT industry therefore needs consideration into industry-wide data
standards, protocols and overarching regulation to remain competitive.

V. Lack of infrastructure:

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In some cases, farms and agricultural businesses may lack the necessary
infrastructure, such as reliable internet connectivity or power, to fully implement and
utilize new technology.

VI. Limited access to information:

Many farmers and agricultural workers may not have access to information about
new technologies and how they can be used to improve efficiency and productivity.

2. Education

There are several challenges that have contributed to the slow adoption of new
information systems and technologies in education. Some of these challenges
include:

I. Connectivity concerns

The education sector has registered a number of innovative technologies and trends
over the past decade with many institutions adopting some of these new
technologies, however some of these trends such as e-learning, flipped class rooms
and cloud computing cite potential challenge to students with limited internet access
mainly because of the intensive research nature of some of these new trends since
70% of class work is done on individual basis.

II. Training and support

Emerging trends in the education sector are being implemented in many institutions
for the past decade as a result there is need to provide training and support to both
staff members and the students in order to acquire skills and knowledge about the
new trend. However, this can be time consuming and requires additional resources
for effective implementation.

III. Data security and privacy

There are concerns about the privacy and security of student data when using new
technology such as cloud computing, data collected from sensors and wearables and
interaction with online applications that collect real time data about the student and
concerns about sharing such confidential information with 3rd parties such as
educational technological companies or researchers is usually protected hence, users
are concerned with the way their personal data is to be used

IV. Integration with exiting systems:

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Integration of new technology with existing system may yet raise concern to the
significant changes to existing processes and work flows, which become challenging
to both education instructors and the students. With countless data migrations, this
may become complex and time-consuming as result need for more allocation of
resources

References

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https://connect.comptia.org/blog/emerging-trends-in-information-
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article

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