Accenture's  Technology Vision for the next  three years  predicts a sharp focus  on AI, IoT and Big Data  solutions that  work  like people, for people.
Bangalore, January 31 2017:Abraham Lincoln's memorable phrase -- government of the people, by the people, for the people -- is increasingly  echoed by the infotech industry as it seeks to democratize its offerings.
Accenture Technology Vision 2017, the annual technology report fromIT services leader predicts the most significant technology trends  seem likely to disrupt business over the next three years. 
This year the report is also a clarion call to   businesses: create technology with people in mind.  It suggests that with advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things(IoT)  and Big Data analytics – humans can now design technology that’s capable of learning to think more like people and helping to  advance their wants and needs. This human-centred technology approach is not philanthropy but  hard nosed business pays off for businesses. Companies must l transform  their relationships  with clients and customers,  from provider to partner.
' People are in control'
Says  Paul Daugherty, Accenture’s Chief Technology & Innovation officer “The pace of technology change is breathtaking, bringing about the biggest advancements since the dawn of the Information Age..... it raises important societal challenges and creates new opportunities. Ultimately, people are in control of creating the changes that will affect our lives, and we’re optimistic that responsive and responsible leaders will ensure the positive impact of new technologies.”
To compile the report, Accenture surveyed more than 5,400 business and IT executives worldwide. Nearly nine in 10 respondents (86 percent) said that while individual technologies are rapidly advancing, it is the multiplier effect of these technologies that is creating innovation breakthroughs.
 The report points at  five emerging tech trends that are essential to business success in today’s digital economy:
AI is the new UI. Artificial intelligence (AI) is coming of age, tackling problems both big and small by making interactions simple and smart. AI is becoming the new user interface (UI), underpinning the way we transact and interact with systems.
Design for Humans. Technology design decisions are being made by humans, for humans. Organizations need to understand not only where people are today, but also where they want to be – and shape technology to act as their guide to realize desired outcomes. 
Ecosystems as Macrocosms.  Companies don’t just need a platform strategy, they need a rich and robust ecosystem approach to lead in this new era of intelligence. Already, more than one-quarter (27 percent) of executives surveyed reported that digital ecosystems are transforming the way their organizations deliver value.
Workforce Marketplace. Leading companies are dissolving traditional hierarchies and replacing them with talent marketplaces. Eighty-five percent of executives surveyed said they plan to increase their organization’s use of independent freelance workers over the next year.
Uncharted territory. To succeed in today’s digital economy, businesses must delve into uncharted territory. Instead of focusing solely on introducing new products and services, they should think much bigger.

Read the full report here:www.accenture.com/technologyvision