Catch-up with the latest tech trends as we head into Q2 of 2023.

The unicorn playground

The big players of tech have long been the trendsetters for many innovations. This year is no exception, as AI-driven technologies solidify their place thanks to Google and Meta.

Here are the 3 growing trends worth hopping on, led by Silicon Valley:

• The Proliferation Of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Startups in Silicon Valley are leveraging AI to power everything from chatbots and autonomous vehicles to facial recognition software and data analytics.

Case in point: Komodo Health, an AI-powered digital healthcare startup, secured $200 million in its recent venture round

• The Era of Big Data

Average returns of Silicon Valley unicorns offering data management and analytics solutions breached double digits in Q4 2022.

Case in point: Alation, a data-driven startup, raised its valuation to $1.7 billion in Q4 2022 after securing unicorn status in 2021

• The Global Shift to Cloud Computing

Silicon Valley startups have been quick to adopt cloud-based solutions to fuel their profitability, as it became the de facto standard for enterprise tech solutions.

Case in point: Bloomreach, a cloud-native e-commerce platform that recently achieved unicorn status, secured a $30 million credit last October

Learn more about the emerging Silicon Valley trends and their impact in the full Forbes article here .

Is it greener on the other side?

In 2022, global renewable energy growth slowed down due to post-pandemic impact such as supply chain disruption and inflation. In 2023, growth is expected to accelerate as USA’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is put in place.

These are the 5 renewable energy industry trends to watch, according to Deloitte’s 2023 renewable energy industry outlook report:

1. Domestic manufacturing. IRA incentives have spurred new plant announcements and significant investment, and that’s likely to gain steam in 2023.
2. Decarbonized fuel. While lack of infra makes hydrogen uneconomic for some uses, new clean hydrogen economics could open avenues for renewable providers.
3. Energy equity. Outreach to low-income communities could accelerate in the coming year, as renewable developers will be further incentivized.
4. Cybersecurity. Utilities and renewable developers will continue to staff up cybersecurity departments as it became the target of cyberattacks.
5. Offshore wind. The offshore wind industry will be more vigor in addressing challenges as the wind project development pipeline continues to grow.

Though the above trends revolve around the latest US policies, the global green technology industry is estimated to follow suit. Check out the full report here .

Center of the growth

There will be no tech industry without the brilliant minds behind each pitch and novelty. Going into the second quarter of 2023, it became clearer that this year will bring out several future-of-work trends, especially relating to the post-pandemic era.

Most employees, including and especially within the tech industry, still experience mental health challenges as a result of the pandemic’s turbulence. As many as 82% of employees say it’s important that their organizations see them as a whole person .

In the coming year, the top companies will implement (if not already):

• Proactive rest, which may include proactive PTO (Paid Time-Off) before high-demand working periods, no-meeting Fridays, or allotted wellness time.
• Discussion opportunities with leaders and colleagues to work through challenges and difficult topics without judgment or consequences.
• Trauma counselors to provide counseling, and train and coach leaders on workplace conflict as well as how to have difficult conversations with employees.

Gartner has gathered the 9 future of work trends to look out for in 2023. See the other 8 of the trends in the full piece here .

After reading this week’s Monday Mavens edition, do you think your team is heading to the right direction? Or, are you paving a newer way, even?

Share the insights you read here as convo-starters with your colleagues, leaders, or even with your friends over coffee (after Iftaar, that is!)

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