THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL INDUSTRIES: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, CYBERSECURITY, AND TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE

Abstract

The accelerating convergence of transformative digital technologies is fundamentally reconfiguring the competitive landscape of industries, governments, and societies worldwide. This article provides a concise, empirically grounded examination of six key emerging technologies — Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain, Quantum Computing, Augmented Reality (AR), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Robotics — through the lens of their cross-sectoral applications, key limitations, and ethical implications. It further analyses the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, including ransomware, phishing, DDoS attacks, zero-day exploits, and cloud misconfigurations. Drawing on projections that global ransomware damages will exceed USD 265 billion annually by 2031, India's IoT sector will reach USD 15 billion by 2025, and AI will contribute USD 17 billion to India's economy by 2027, the article concludes by identifying strategic priorities for policymakers, technology practitioners, and researchers navigating an increasingly complex digital ecosystem.