Table of Contents
Hey Guys, If You’re Looking for 10 Top Technology Trends for 2024. As we delve into 2024, the technological landscape advances rapidly, propelling innovations that shape industries and redefine human experiences. This year promises many transformative trends to revolutionize how we live, work, and interact with the world around us. Beginning with strides in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML),) to the proliferation of 5G connectivity and the rise of immersive technologies, the coming months are primed to witness groundbreaking developments that will leave a lasting imprint on society.
One of the most significant trends in 2024 across various sectors. Empowering businesses to leverage data-driven insights for informed decision-making and personalized experiences. From predictive analytics enhancing healthcare diagnostics to intelligent automation streamlining manufacturing processes, AI and ML drive efficiency and innovation across the board.
The rollout of 5G networks is set to accelerate the connectivity revolution, unlocking new possibilities for communication, entertainment, and industry. With its unparalleled speed and low latency, 5G enables seamless connectivity between devices, paving the way for the Internet of Things (IoT) to reach its full potential. From smart cities and autonomous vehicles to augmented reality (AR) applications, 5G is poised to redefine how we interact with technology, creating a more interconnected and immersive world.
I do take center stage, moving from theory to practice.
As Dell’s Global Chief Technology Officer Technologies, John Roese anticipates a shift in the GenAI dialogue from theoretical discussions to practical applications. He emphasizes transitioning from focusing on training infrastructure and costs to prioritizing inference and operational expenses.
Roese notes that although GenAI has sparked innovative ideas about its potential to transform businesses and society, there needs to be more real-world implementation at scale. However, as we progress into 2024, he predicts that the initial wave of GenAI enterprise projects will mature significantly, revealing crucial aspects of GenAI that were previously not fully understood during the early stages.
A convergence of IT and security teams
Amidst the emergence of new threats in 2024, which blur the distinction between IT and security responsibilities, Zeki Turedi, CTO of Europe at CrowdStrike, foresees an opportunity to strengthen organizational resilience by merging IT and security teams.
Traditionally operating in separate spheres, these teams find their goals and daily tasks increasingly interconnected. This transformation is propelled by swift technological advancements and the evolving security landscape that directly impacts IT infrastructure.
This convergence is especially timely and essential as singular threats now simultaneously target infrastructure and security, necessitating a unified approach. Through fostering closer collaboration and sharing technologies and platforms, these once-disparate teams can leverage their combined expertise to fortify defenses against sophisticated cyber threats. The emergence of new cybersecurity platforms tailored explicitly for IT teams underscores this trend. These platforms are crafted to seamlessly integrate with IT operations, furnishing real-time insights and automated responses to security incidents, slashing response times and elevating overall security posture.
Hyperscalers will drive a robust, real-time ecosystem.
While Generative AI has faced criticism for relying on outdated data for crucial outcomes, Rodrigo Liang, CEO of SambaNova Systems, foresees a transformative shift in the data analytics landscape through collaboration between hyperscalers and AI models. He predicts that this collaboration will revolutionize data analytics by synchronizing current data with real-time adjustments, significantly enhancing speed, accuracy, and affordability.
Liang emphasizes the ongoing transition towards real-time fine-tuning, enabling models to adapt and comprehend current data, thereby propelling advancements in AI applications across all industries. He anticipates that the combination of cutting-edge chips and hyperscale data capabilities will establish a robust ecosystem, facilitating the creation of a substantial Composition of Expert models. These models are poised to tackle even more intricate use cases, surpassing current industry standards in marketing, advertising, healthcare, climate research, banking, and beyond sectors.
A renewed focus on zero-trust models
In the contemporary hybrid work setting, individuals depend on an array of devices, applications, and cloud-hosted services, many of which are situated beyond the direct control of corporate IT. This evolving landscape underscores the necessity for implementing a zero-trust model.
Looking ahead, Chris Peake, CISO and SVP of Security at Smartsheet anticipate organizations will enhance their existing models with additional layers of security. “For instance, some organizations may integrate role-based security, enabling them to designate specific roles for various user types and manage their access accordingly,” he explains. “This approach not only safeguards sensitive data but also streamlines access for authorized personnel. Additionally, organizations may implement time-based access controls, allowing them to regulate users’ access to information based on the duration of their project involvement.”
IT spending will be focused on business outcomes more than ever.
In response to a shifting macroeconomic and competitive landscape, Linda Yao, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Strategy at Lenovo Solutions & Services Group anticipates that businesses will prioritize maximizing the value of their IT investments in several key ways.
“Firstly, they will demand increased flexibility in their operations, seeking investments that can scale in alignment with the value they deliver,” she explains. “This will entail a desire for greater predictability in cash flows, whether achieved through leveraging technology to stabilize revenue growth or realizing expense savings. Businesses will seek technology solutions that facilitate predictable cash flow payments.”
Yao emphasizes that businesses will prioritize aligning IT deployments with tangible business outcomes. “We anticipate a trend where customers adopt IT solutions based on the specific business outcomes they aim to achieve,” she notes. “These outcomes may range from boosting top-line revenue and optimizing bottom-line performance to enhancing customer experience, sustainability efforts, throughput, or customer acquisition metrics. Increasingly, businesses will link their technology adoption strategies to these measurable objectives rather than implementing and maintaining technology in isolation.”
Quantum progress but not quantum leaps
Liz Centoni, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer & GM of applications at Cisco, anticipates a surge in adopting post-quantum cryptography (PQC) in 2024, even before its standardization. This software-based approach is poised to collaborate with traditional systems, safeguarding data against potential quantum threats in the future.
Centoni predicts that PQC will be integrated into various components, including browsers, operating systems, and libraries. Innovators will experiment with its integration into protocols like SSL/TLS 1.3, which govern classic cryptography. Additionally, PQC is expected to gradually permeate enterprises as they strive to bolster data security in the post-quantum era.
Human skills will be essential for the uptake of AI.
According to NTT’s 2023 Global CX Report, most customer experience (CX) interactions still necessitate human involvement, a sentiment echoed by executives who view it as a vital aspect of customer journeys. Despite eighty percent of organizations intending to integrate AI into CX operations within the next year, Sashen Naidu, Vice President of CX Services at NTT Ltd, underscores the indispensable role of human input in ensuring its success.
“As businesses explore how automation can complement and amplify human capabilities, there will be a heightened focus on addressing the growing skills gap that poses a challenge to AI implementation. Proficiency in AI and big data analytics will become foundational skills for many roles across industries, yet there will be other paths forward than acquiring these skills.
Continued rise of social engineering attacks
Crowdstrike’s Turedi highlights that identity-based attacks will persist as the primary weapon for threat actors in 2024 because they remain highly effective. According to CrowdStrike’s recent Threat Hunting Report, 80% of breaches stem from compromised identities. Adversaries are not limiting themselves to exploiting valid credentials alone; instead, they leverage various forms of identification and authorization, including purchasing weak credentials from underground sources. Additionally, they are enhancing their phishing and social engineering techniques to further their malicious agendas.
AI advancements will drive even more energy usage.
Cisco’s Centoni highlights the crucial role of sustainable energy in combating climate change. Companies can significantly lower energy consumption costs compared to more generalized systems by opting for smaller AI models tailored to specific use cases.
“These specialized systems are trained on compact yet highly precise datasets, efficiently carrying out targeted tasks. In contrast, deep learning models consume extensive data volumes.”
Businesses will focus on creating guardrails to mitigate AI risks.
Art Hu, Lenovo’s Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO), suggests that companies integrating AI technologies will increasingly recognize the associated risks and inherent characteristics of AI. As a result, more businesses are expected to implement targeted measures to address these concerns.
“For instance, emerging patterns like Retrieval Augmented Generation can assist Language Learning Models (LLMs) in producing results sourced from authoritative references,” he explains. “Additionally, strategies such as ensuring the quality and accuracy of training data and incorporating human oversight during both training (utilizing reinforcement learning based on human feedback) and inference for critical scenarios serve as methods to balance the augmented intelligence offered by Generative AI.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top technology trends for 2024?
The growth of edge computing, biotechnology, and genetic engineering developments, the expansion of renewable energy technologies, and the emergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain applications.
How will artificial intelligence (AI) impact industries in 2024?
In 2024, AI is expected to revolutionize industries by enabling data-driven decision-making, automating repetitive tasks, personalizing customer experiences, improving healthcare diagnostics and treatment plans, enhancing cybersecurity measures, optimizing supply chain management, and driving innovation in various sectors such as finance, manufacturing, transportation, and retail.
What role will 5G technology play in 2024?
5G technology is providing faster and more reliable wireless connectivity, enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) to reach its full potential, supporting advanced applications such as autonomous vehicles and remote surgeries, enhancing multimedia streaming and gaming experiences, enabling smart cities and connected infrastructure, and driving digital transformation across industries.
How will virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) evolve in 2024?
In 2024, VR and AR technologies are expected to evolve with improved hardware capabilities, enhanced content creation tools, increased adoption in enterprise training and collaboration, broader applications in areas such as education, healthcare, and marketing, and the development of more Immersive and interactive experiences that seamlessly merge the boundaries between the physical and digital realms.
What cybersecurity measures will be necessary in 2024?
In 2024, cybersecurity measures such as zero-trust models, multi-factor authentication, encryption, threat intelligence sharing, endpoint detection and response (EDR), secure software development practices, and continuous monitoring and assessment of network infrastructure will be essential to protect against evolving cyber threats, data breaches, and malicious activities targeting organizations and individuals alike.
Conclusion
The technological landscape for 2024 promises an exciting array of advancements poised to reshape industries and redefine human experiences. From artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) driving data-driven decision-making to the widespread adoption of 5G technology revolutionizing connectivity, the coming year holds immense potential for innovation and progress. Coupled with a renewed focus on cybersecurity and zero trust models, it will further enhance how we interact with technology and safeguard our digital assets.
Developments in quantum computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, biotechnology, renewable energy, and decentralized finance (DeFi) are set to unlock new possibilities and drive sustainable growth across various sectors. As we navigate these transformative trends, businesses and individuals alike must stay agile, embrace innovation, and leverage technology to effectively address the challenges and opportunities of the future. By staying informed and proactive, We can leverage technology’s potential to foster a more connected, intelligent, and resilient world in 2024 and beyond.