Emerging Trends

Examples of cloud-based services used at present include Google Docs, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, and similar online storage or application services. These are accessed over the Internet rather than installed and used only locally.

Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of devices that have embedded hardware and software to communicate and exchange data with other devices on the same network. These devices can also be controlled remotely through computers or smartphones.

Potential applications include:
- Smart homes: remote control of lights, fans, air conditioners, locks, CCTV cameras, etc.
- Smart cities: efficient management of traffic, waste, water supply, power, and public safety.
- Healthcare: monitoring patients and using wearable devices.
- Transportation: vehicle tracking and navigation.
- Agriculture: monitoring crops and improving farming efficiency.

Cloud computing is an emerging trend in which computer-based services are delivered over the Internet or the cloud and are accessible from anywhere using any device.

These services include software, hardware, databases, storage, and more. They are provided by cloud service providers on a pay-per-use basis.

Advantages:
- Access from anywhere
- No need for large upfront investment
- Cost-effective and on-demand resources
- Can run large applications or process large data without owning powerful local hardware

Big Data refers to data sets of enormous volume and complexity that cannot be processed using traditional data processing tools. It includes data from posts, chats, photographs, tweets, blogs, news items, audio/video chats, and more.

Characteristics of Big Data:
1. Volume – very large size of data
2. Velocity – data is generated and stored very fast
3. Variety – includes structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data
4. Veracity – trustworthiness and accuracy of data
5. Value – useful hidden patterns and knowledge in the data

Big data is important because it can provide useful business knowledge, but it also creates challenges in storage, processing, searching, and analysis.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) endeavours to simulate the natural intelligence of human beings into machines, making them behave intelligently.

An AI system tries to imitate human cognitive functions such as learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. It can also learn from past experiences and use a knowledge base for making decisions.

Applications of AI include:
- Smartphone maps that suggest the fastest route
- Automatic photo tagging and face recognition
- Intelligent digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, Cortana, Google Now

Machine Learning is a subsystem of Artificial Intelligence in which computers learn from data using statistical techniques, without being explicitly programmed.

It uses algorithms that learn from data on their own and make predictions. These algorithms are trained and tested using training data and testing data.

Applications:
- Prediction from new and unknown data
- Pattern recognition
- Recommendation and classification systems

Cloud computing and grid computing are different in purpose and structure.

| Cloud Computing | Grid Computing |
|---|---|
| Provides services over the Internet | Combines distributed resources to solve a common computational problem |
| Focuses on service delivery such as storage, software, platforms | Focuses on application-specific processing |
| Resources are provided by a cloud service provider | Multiple nodes join together temporarily |
| Example: using Google Docs or cloud storage | Example: a network of computers working together like a virtual supercomputer |

In cloud computing, users rent services such as storage or software. In grid computing, different computational nodes work together to complete one large task.

The statement is justified because cloud computing is cost-effective and time saving:

- A user does not need to buy expensive hardware, servers, or large storage systems.
- Resources are available on demand, so the user pays only for what is used.
- Data can be stored online quickly without setting up physical infrastructure.
- Users can access stored files anytime from anywhere, which saves time.
- Backup and management are handled by the cloud provider, reducing effort and maintenance time.

So, cloud storage saves both money and time compared to maintaining local infrastructure.

An on-demand service is a service that a user can avail whenever needed, in the required amount, and pay for according to usage.

In cloud computing, on-demand service is provided by allowing users to access infrastructure, platform, or software whenever required over the Internet. The user does not need to set up everything in advance. They can use resources like storage, servers, or applications as needed and pay only for the usage.