In the past few years, technology has experienced dynamic and exciting progress. From the advancement of artificial intelligence to the growth of augmented and virtual reality, alongside the widespread use of social media and the internet, the key tech trends are constantly evolving and improving.
These transformative trends are set to redefine the technological landscape and influence the way businesses operate. As we look ahead to the following year, specific tech trends are making a significant impact, reshaping industries, and offering innovative solutions to age-old problems that will be a global trend in the coming years.
Emerging Technology Trends to Watch Out for
While it’s challenging to predict how trends will play out, some new technologies are doing well. They are gaining attention, showing early promise, and could help businesses innovate and grow. Here are our picks for the technology trends expected to shape 2024 and an overview of their potential. Let’s take a closer look at them.
1. Generative AI
Artificial intelligence will emerge as a prominent technological trend in 2024. According to a recent survey by McKinsey, 79 percent of the respondents reported having some level of interaction with AI, and 22 percent claimed to use it regularly in their work.¹
Since pre-trained models are now widespread through cloud computing and open-source technology, Generative AI (GenAI) is becoming more accessible globally. According to a report from Gartner, it forecasts that over 80 percent of enterprises will have implemented generative AI APIs, models, or applications in production by 2026, representing a significant increase from the less than 5 percent reported earlier this year.²
Related Reading: Exploring the Impact of Generative AI and Automation on IT Workflows
2. Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is set to change the game in IT and tech. In 2024, the focus is shifting from just having lots of qubits to making them better and more reliable, fixing errors, and solving real-world problems. Atom Computing’s recent reveal of a 1,225-qubit quantum computer shows it’s not just talk; it can help solve complex pharmaceutical and cybersecurity issues.
For organizations, quantum computing can enhance tasks like designing software, making it much faster and more efficient. It accelerates complex algorithms, improves cybersecurity, and changes how we develop software. But it could also break current encryption methods. So, companies must consider new ways to keep data safe from the ever-evolving tech landscape.
3. AI-Augmented Development
This involves using machine learning, generative AI, and other AI technologies to help software engineers with tasks like designing, coding, and testing applications.
This AI-assisted software development increases developer productivity, helping teams deliver growing demands for business-critical software. These tools free up engineers to concentrate on more strategic tasks like designing and composing applications.
4. Intelligent Applications
Intelligent applications have a feature called intelligence, which is the ability to learn and respond appropriately on its own. This intelligence can be used in many situations to improve or automate work. As a core feature, intelligence in applications includes various AI-based services like machine learning, vector stores, and connected data.
For instance, intelligent applications in software development can optimize coding processes, adapt dynamically to user preferences, and automate repetitive tasks, enhancing efficiency and user experience. These intelligent applications can provide experiences that adjust dynamically to the user.
Related Reading: The Next Big Thing: AI Takes Over
5. AI-Driven Automation
Approaching 2024, IT and tech businesses strategically leverage AI-driven automation, exemplified by innovations like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the upcoming GPT-4. ChatGPT Enterprise addresses business needs with accelerated data analysis, intricate query handling, and robust security tailored for the IT sector.
Beyond tech adoption, businesses apply these advancements for tangible outcomes and efficiency. In IT, this includes billing automation, AI-enhanced recruitment, and customer support via chatbots. AI’s impact extends to inventory management, sales forecasting, marketing personalization, and real-time fraud detection.
For instance, Microsoft Copilot revolutionized tasks in Microsoft 365, showcasing AI’s role in reshaping efficiency and innovation in the IT/tech landscape.
6. Continuous Threat Exposure Management
Continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) is a structured method for organizations to consistently assess and control the risk of accessibility, exposure, and exploitation of their digital and physical assets. When organizations align these methods with particular projects or threat areas rather than just infrastructure, they can better identify vulnerabilities and threats that can’t be fixed.
Related Reading: 3 Cybersecurity Insights and Hiring Tips
7. Machine Customers
Machine customers referred to as “custobots” by Gartner, are non-human entities that can independently negotiate transactions and purchase goods and services by making payments. The trajectory indicates that by 2028, 15 billion connected products will have the potential to act as machine customers and even more in the future.
This trend can generate trillions of dollars in revenue by 2030, becoming more significant than the rise of digital commerce. Thus, it’s best to consider opportunities to either support these custobots or create new ones when developing their strategies.
This evolution could involve the development of advanced systems facilitating seamless interactions between machine customers and digital platforms, presenting both challenges and opportunities for innovative technological solutions.
8. Sustainable Technology
Sustainable technology involves a set of digital solutions that promote long-term ecological balance and human rights, supporting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
As concerns rise about the environmental impact of technologies like AI, cryptocurrency, and cloud computing, organizations need to make IT more efficient, circular, and sustainable. By 2027, about 25 percent of organizations might have their pay tied to the impact of sustainable technology.
9. Platform Engineering
This involves creating and managing self-service internal development platforms. Gartner calls each of these platforms a layer that’s made to connect user needs by working with tools and processes. Product teams build and maintain these platforms to improve productivity and the user experience and speed up business value creation.
In tech, this involves developing and maintaining intuitive, self-service platforms that empower internal teams, foster collaboration, and expedite the delivery of innovative solutions and business applications.
10. Industry Cloud Platforms
These special platforms for different industries combine different types of software services to create a product that can be customized. It includes features like industry data fabric, a collection of business capabilities, and composition tools.
Organizations can adjust these platforms to fit their specific needs. By 2027, more than 70 percent of businesses will use this platform to speed up their projects, a significant increase from 15 percent.³
Emerging Tech Trends Are Transforming Businesses
Many technologies have already significantly impacted in recent years and are only a few more advances away from becoming widely used and accepted.
The key takeaway from these trends is that we are entering an era of constant and rapid evolution, where various tech trends combine and influence one another to bring innovation and significant changes. For organizations, this means the time of incremental tech upgrades is over; constant change is the way of the future.
As technologies are now gaining the most attention, what are the most important trends that cannot be ignored? What technology trends should companies and leaders adopt to sustain digital acceleration? It is in your hands to evaluate the impacts and benefits of these emerging technologies, determining which ones align with your business goals and can contribute most effectively to your digital advancement.
References
1 The state of AI in 2023: Generative AI’s breakout year. 2023, August 1. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai-in-2023-generative-ais-breakout-year
2 Gartner. Top StrategicTechnology Trends 2024. 2023. emt.gartnerweb.com/ngw/globalassets/en/publications/documents/2024-gartner-top-strategic-technology-trends/
3 Gartner. Top StrategicTechnology Trends 2024. 2023. emt.gartnerweb.com/ngw/globalassets/en/publications/documents/2024-gartner-top-strategic-technology-trends/
