Artificial intelligence (AI), eCommerce, cloud, social networking, Internet of Things, 5G, blockchain, and other emerging technologies are being leveraged to blur the lines between industries, creating new business models and converging sectors. Traditional automobiles are morphing into electrified, autonomous infotainment centers. Manufacturing facilities are transforming into computerized, robotic clean rooms. And the list goes on. As the definition of a “technology company” evolves, many organizations are rebranding themselves as such and liberally using the descriptor in their corporate profiles, press releases, and financial reports. According to KPMGs Technology Industry Innovation Survey, global tech industry leaders believe that eCommerce platforms represent the most disruptive business model over the next three years. It ranked number one in last years survey as well and global eCommerce spending is expected to increase from $3.5 trillion in 2019 to $6.5 trillion in 2023 1 . eCommerce giants are pioneering the use of new technologies like AI, speech recognition, drones, and autonomous vehicles. And there are the frequent headlines about extending their reach and disrupting other sectors like food delivery, healthcare, insurance, energy, and prescription drugs. Social networking again ranked as the second most disruptive business model, closing the gap slightly with eCommerce platforms in this years survey. Similar to the eCommerce companies, the social media companies are striving to capture an ever-larger percentage of consumer mind share and wallet with new offerings like exclusive and original content, live sporting events, augmented/virtual reality, educational services, and cryptocurrencies. While emerging technologies will certainly have widespread impact, certain industries are more susceptible to disruption than others. Over the next three years, survey respondents expect these industries to experience the greatest transformation as a direct result of emerging technologies: 1. Telecommunications 4. Aerospace and defense 2. Industrial manufacturing 5. Financial services 3. Healthcare/Life sciences 27% eCommerce platforms Social networking platforms Digital payment platforms Entertainment platforms Ride sharing platforms Autonomous transportation platforms Lodging platforms 22% 17% 14% 9% 7% 4% Most disruptive business models Source: KPMG Technology Industry Innovation Survey 2019 1 Andrew Lipsman, “Global Ecommerce 2019,” eMarketer (May 2019) Key takeaways: eCommerce and social networking platforms identified as the most disruptive business models Amazon, Apple, and Alibaba named the most disruptive companies Google, Facebook, and Instagram voted favorite apps Millennials and older tech industry leaders both largely view the same people as technology innovation visionaries Disruptive companies and business models eCommerce and social networking platforms have become so much more Disruptive companies and business models | 1 © 2019 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG International. KPMG International provides no client services. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All rights reserved.