How do emerging technologies in systems design affect your work?

1 AI and ML

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming the way systems are designed, developed, and deployed. AI and ML can help systems designers to automate tasks, optimize performance, enhance user experience, and generate insights. For example, you can use AI and ML to design systems that can learn from data, adapt to changing environments, provide personalized recommendations, and detect anomalies. However, AI and ML also pose new challenges and risks, such as ethical, legal, and social implications, data quality and security, explainability and accountability, and human-machine collaboration. As a systems designer, you need to be aware of these issues and design systems that are fair, transparent, robust, and human-centered.

2 Cloud and Edge

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet, such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence. Cloud computing enables systems designers to access scalable, reliable, and cost-effective resources and services, without having to manage or maintain physical infrastructure. Cloud computing also supports the development of distributed, microservice-based, and serverless systems, which can improve agility, scalability, and resilience. Edge computing is the practice of processing data closer to the source, such as devices, sensors, or users, rather than in centralized cloud servers. Edge computing can reduce latency, bandwidth, and cost, as well as enhance privacy, security, and reliability. As a systems designer, you need to consider the trade-offs and benefits of cloud and edge computing, and design systems that can leverage both paradigms.

4 Blockchain and Crypto

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that can store and verify transactions without the need for a central authority or intermediary. Blockchain can enable systems designers to create systems that are secure, transparent, and decentralized, and can support peer-to-peer exchange, smart contracts, and digital identity. For example, you can design systems that can facilitate cross-border payments, streamline supply chains, empower social impact, and protect intellectual property. Crypto is the term used to refer to cryptocurrencies, digital tokens, and protocols that are built on blockchain technology. Crypto can enable systems designers to create systems that are innovative, disruptive, and inclusive, and can challenge the status quo of existing systems and institutions. For example, you can design systems that can enable decentralized finance, web 3.0, non-fungible tokens, and metaverse. As a systems designer, you need to be familiar with the concepts and principles of blockchain and crypto, and design systems that can leverage and contribute to them.

5 DevOps and CI/CD

DevOps is a culture and practice that aims to unify the development and operation of systems, and to improve collaboration, communication, and efficiency. DevOps can help systems designers to deliver systems that are faster, safer, and better quality, and to respond to changing needs and feedback. Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) are key aspects of DevOps, which involve automating the processes of building, testing, and deploying systems. CI/CD can help systems designers to ensure consistency, reliability, and security of systems, and to accelerate innovation and value delivery. As a systems designer, you need to adopt and embrace DevOps and CI/CD, and design systems that are modular, testable, and deployable.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?