Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the technological landscape, and its influence is expected to grow even more significantly in 2024. Gartner, a leading research and advisory firm, has recently released its list of the top 10 strategic technology trends that organizations should explore in the coming year. These trends highlight the central role of AI in shaping the future of technology.
Hassan Taher, an AI expert, delves into Gartner’s top 10 strategic tech trends and their implications for the tech world:
1) Democratized Generative AI
Gartner’s list kicks off with the concept of democratized generative AI. This trend involves making pre-trained AI models accessible to a global workforce. By 2026, Gartner predicts that over 80% of enterprises will use GenAI APIs and models, a significant increase from the less than 5% that utilized these technologies in early 2023. The surge in GenAI adoption can be attributed to the recent hype surrounding platforms like ChatGPT and other GenAI applications.
2) AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management
Ensuring the success of AI projects goes beyond merely adopting new technologies. Organizations must focus on AI trust, risk, and security management (AI TRiSM). This comprehensive program integrates governance from the outset to ensure that AI systems are compliant, fair, and reliable. Hassan Taher emphasizes the importance of adopting these proactive measures to mitigate past failures and enhance the explainability, reliability, privacy, and security of AI systems.
3) AI-Augmented Development
In the realm of AI-augmented development, AI technologies, such as GenAI and machine learning, assist software engineers in designing, coding, and testing applications. These AI-driven development tools improve productivity by allowing engineers to dedicate more time to strategic tasks like application design and development. By prioritizing AI-augmented development, organizations can efficiently address the growing demand for business applications.
4) Continuous Threat Exposure Management
Continuous threat exposure management represents a systemic shift in the cybersecurity landscape. Organizations can automate cybersecurity validation processes, simulating breaches and attack scenarios to validate security measures. By 2026, Gartner predicts that organizations embracing this approach will witness a two-thirds reduction in security breaches.
5) Machine Customers (Custobots)
Machine customers, often referred to as “custobots,” are non-human entities capable of autonomously negotiating and purchasing goods and services in exchange for payment. By 2028, Gartner foresees the existence of 15 billion connected products with the potential to act as customers. This trend offers a unique business opportunity that requires the collaboration of all C-suite executives to be fully effective.
6) Intelligent Applications
Intelligent applications represent a response to the growing talent shortage, with AI-based services such as machine learning enhancing and automating work processes. As CEOs increasingly view attracting and retaining talent as their top workforce priority, AI technologies are expected to play a significant role in addressing this concern.
7) Augmented-Connected Workforce
The need to accelerate and scale talent drives the adoption of the augmented-connected workforce strategy. By using intelligent applications and workforce analytics, organizations can optimize employee experiences, well-being, and skill development, ultimately driving business results.
8) Sustainable Technology
With concerns over the environmental impact of technologies like AI, cryptocurrency, IoT, and cloud computing, sustainable technology is a growing trend. By 2027, Gartner predicts that 25% of CIOs will see their personal compensation linked to their sustainable technology impact.
9) Platform Engineering
Platform engineering involves creating self-service internal development platforms that optimize productivity, user experience, and the delivery of business value. By embracing platform engineering, organizations can accelerate innovation and efficiency.
10) Industry Cloud Platforms
Industry cloud platforms address specific business outcomes by combining underlying SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS services into whole product offerings. These platforms offer a library of packaged business capabilities and composition tools, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of industry-specific solutions.
As AI expert Hassan Taher notes, staying abreast of these trends and integrating them into your organization’s strategy will be key to future success in the tech industry. With AI technology continuing to advance, understanding these trends is essential for companies that aim to remain competitive and innovative.