Five technology trends are poised to transform the future of work beginning in 2020, according to DXC Technology.

The rapid adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) – coupled with trusted data ecosystems, empowered interconnected teams and tech-evangelist leaders – promises to produce new levels of workforce efficiency, productivity and growth across enterprises.

“The notion of accelerated productivity will force enterprises to rethink their technology decisions and investments across the enterprise technology stack, which, in turn, will drive a sea change in how enterprises are led and structured, make informed decisions and engage employees and customers,” said Dan Hushon, senior vice president and chief technology officer, DXC.

Hushon identified five technology-driven trends for the future of work in 2020 and beyond:

1. AI redefines professional services

The pervasive use of AI and ML in business is revolutionizing professions such as legal, accounting, healthcare and education by democratizing access to data and expert services. AI is extending customization and personalized services to a broad base of customers through low-cost intelligent agents. Additionally, AI benefits professionals in their decision-making because it can provide new insights, manage information overload and reduce human error.

2. Design thinking shifts from IT services for people to IT services for machines

The thinking behind systems design is shifting as IT services are increasingly being built for machine-to-machine interaction, and as processing moves closer to where data resides. This will further expand “the matrix”of pervasive, intelligent IT infrastructure beyond the cloud to includes edge computing, internet of things (IoT) platforms, machine intelligence, augmented reality/virtual reality and more. It will usher in new design choices and transformational architectures, and push companies to more aggressively pursue IT modernization.

3. Data’s value increases in ecosystems

Enterprises are pooling data in ecosystems to achieve outcomes that benefit both the individual and enterprise. Data ecosystems will flourish as they adopt trust mechanisms that validate an individual’s right-to-share and an enterprise’s right-to-consume data. Self-sovereign identity standards and blockchain-based consent with trading partners, for example, are helping to facilitate responsible data sharing and drive the rapid growth of data exchanges.

4. Teams, not superstars, are the high performers

In 2020, companies will recognize that achieving their full potential means developing and nurturing a network of high-performing, interconnected teams consisting of multidimensional individuals, rather than siloed groups of single superstars.

Enterprises will restructure to expand team linkages across the organization. The shift from superstar individuals to high-performing teams will require new strategies for talent acquisition and development.

5. New wave of tech-savvy leaders accelerates business transformation

A shift in business leadership will gain momentum in 2020 as technology-driven markets proliferate and new leaders advocate for technologies that can improve enterprise speed, agility, productivity and innovation advantage.