by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, October 5, 2017

Google, Facebook and Microsoft continue to develop artificial intelligence platforms to help detect fake content, but Gartner predicts that by 2020, AI-driven creation of fake content will outpace the technology’s ability to detect it among consumers.

It will create “digital distrust,” Gartner says.

Despite AI’s ability to create 2.3 million new jobs, by 2022, mobile people in mature economies will consume more false information than true. It’s also estimated that AI will eliminate about 1.8 million jobs.

Gartner released its annual prediction list, with AI at the top. Bots and chatbots are close behind. Gartner predicts that bots and chatbots will continue to proliferate, with mobile apps taking a back seat. By 2021, more than 50% of enterprises will be spending more per annum to create bots and chatbots than for traditional mobile apps.

Brands that redesign their websites to support visual- and voice-search will increase digital commerce revenue by 30%, predicts Gartner.

Voice- and visual-search-based queries will improve marketers’ understanding of consumers’ interests and intent. These early adopters will gain a competitive advantage as measured in conversion rates, revenue growth, new customer acquisition, market share, and customer satisfaction.

Gartner estimates that consumer demand for voice devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home could generate $3.5 billion by 2021.

Blockchain also rose to the top of Gartner’s list. By the end of 2020, the banking industry will garner $1 billion in business value from the use of blockchain-based cryptocurrencies.

Overall, Global IT spending — which is part of this surge in technology use by marketers to support campaigns — will reach $3.7 trillion in 2018, up 4.3% from 2017 estimated spending of $3.5 trillion.

MediaPost.com: Search Marketing Daily

(36)