Gartner has released its list of the top 10 strategic technology trends for 2024, with a focus on generative and other types of AI solutions. These trends have gained widespread adoption but also come with inherent risks. Here are the top strategic technology trends for 2024:
1. Democratized Generative AI: Generative AI, also known as GenAI, is becoming more accessible to workers worldwide due to pre-trained models, cloud computing, and open-source technology. By 2026, Gartner predicts that over 80% of enterprises will have used GenAI APIs and models or deployed GenAI-enabled applications in production environments.
2. AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management: The democratization of AI has highlighted the need for proper trust, risk, and security management. AI models can have negative effects if not properly regulated, and AI TRiSM provides tools for proactive data protection, model monitoring, and risk controls. Gartner predicts that implementing AI TRiSM controls can increase decision-making accuracy by eliminating up to 80% of faulty and illegitimate information.
3. AI-Augmented Development: AI-augmented development involves using AI technologies, such as GenAI and machine learning, to assist software engineers in designing, coding, and testing applications. These tools improve developer productivity and allow more time for strategic activities like designing business applications.
4. Intelligent Applications: Intelligent applications incorporate learned adaptation and AI-based services to dynamically adapt to user needs. These applications can be used in various scenarios to automate or augment work processes.
5. Augmented-Connected Workforce: The augmented-connected workforce optimizes the value derived from human workers by using intelligent applications and workforce analytics to provide context and guidance. This approach improves the workforce’s experience, well-being, and skill development while driving positive business results.
6. Continuous Threat Exposure Management: Continuous threat exposure management is an approach that evaluates and addresses the accessibility, exposure, and exploitability of an enterprise’s digital and physical assets in an ongoing manner. Prioritizing security investments based on CTEM can result in a significant reduction in breaches.
7. Machine Customers: Machine customers, also known as “custobots,” are nonhuman economic actors that autonomously negotiate and make purchases. The growth of machine customers is expected to generate trillions of dollars in revenue by 2030. Organizations should consider facilitating or creating custobots as part of their business strategy.
8. Sustainable Technology: Sustainable technology focuses on leveraging digital solutions to achieve environmental, social, and governance outcomes. The use of technologies like AI, cryptocurrency, IoT, and cloud computing raises concerns about energy consumption and environmental impact, making it crucial to prioritize efficiency and sustainability in IT operations.
9. Platform Engineering: Platform engineering involves building and operating self-service internal development platforms to optimize productivity and user experience while accelerating the delivery of business value.
10. Industry Cloud Platforms: Industry cloud platforms (ICPs) combine various cloud services to address industry-specific business outcomes. Gartner predicts that over 70% of enterprises will adopt ICPs by 2027 to accelerate their business initiatives.
In addition to these trends, Gartner also provided its top 10 strategic IT predictions, exploring how GenAI has influenced executive leaders’ thinking and the need for organizations to be flexible and adaptable. Independent research reports and surveys from Salesforce, McKinsey, and IDC confirm the accelerated adoption of AI, including generative AI, in various industries.
