Welcome to the ever-evolving landscape of technology, where the coming year promises a dynamic interplay of innovation and transformation. As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s time for entrepreneurs to brace themselves for the impactful trends that will reshape the business landscape in 2024.
1. AI Takes Center Stage:
Step into a future where artificial intelligence (AI) moves beyond theoretical musings to practical application. According to John Roese, Global CTO of Dell Technologies, the year 2024 will witness the first wave of GenAI enterprise projects reaching new levels of maturity. This shift will uncover essential dimensions of GenAI, propelling it from creative ideas to tangible business transformations.
2. IT and Security Convergence:
In response to emerging threats, Zeki Turedi, CTO Europe at CrowdStrike, predicts a fusion of IT and security teams. The evolving technology landscape and security risks demand a unified response. Collaborative efforts, shared technologies, and cybersecurity platforms tailored for IT teams will become instrumental in defending against sophisticated cyber threats.
3. Real-time AI Ecosystem with Hyperscalers:
SambaNova Systems’ CEO, Rodrigo Liang, foresees a revolutionary collaboration between hyperscalers and AI models. By matching current data with real-time fine-tuning, this partnership will lead to remarkable advancements in AI applications across various industries, promising significant improvements in speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
4. Renewed Focus on Zero Trust Models:
As the hybrid work environment expands, Chris Peake, CISO and SVP of Security at Smartsheet, anticipates a renewed emphasis on zero trust models. Organizations will add extra layers to their security models, incorporating role-based security and time-based access. Generative AI will play a pivotal role in enhancing data security by automating the monitoring of data flows.
5. Business Outcomes Drive IT Spending:
Linda Yao, COO and Head of Strategy at Lenovo Solutions & Services Group, predicts a shift in IT spending focus towards business outcomes. Businesses will demand more flexibility, predictability in cash flows, and direct alignment between IT deployment and business outcomes. Legacy infrastructure spending will give way to rapid growth in next-generation technology adoption.
6. Quantum Progress and Post-Quantum Cryptography:
According to Liz Centoni, EVP, CSO & GM, Applications at Cisco, 2024 will witness the adoption of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) even before standardization. Quantum networking will also gain importance, enabling scalable quantum solutions through communication and collaboration between quantum computers.
7. Human Skills Essential for AI Uptake:
Sashen Naidu, VP, CX Services at NTT Ltd, highlights the essential role of human skills in the era of AI. Despite the increasing integration of AI into customer experiences, human intervention remains critical. Reskilling and upskilling initiatives will bridge skills gaps, ensuring a harmonious balance between automation and human capabilities.
8. Social Engineering Attacks on the Rise:
Identity-based attacks will continue to be a potent weapon in 2024, warns Zeki Turedi. Social engineering, in particular, will be a focal point for businesses as they strive to educate employees on recognizing and mitigating deception. Strengthening identity protection will be crucial to thwart adversaries.
9. AI Advancements and Energy Usage:
Cisco’s Liz Centoni points out that AI advancements will drive increased energy usage. Sustainable energy practices, such as selecting smaller AI models tailored to specific use cases, will help companies reduce energy consumption costs. Energy networking, combining software-defined networking and electric power systems, will contribute to overall energy efficiency.
10. Mitigating AI Risks with Guardrails:
Art Hu, CIO at Lenovo, emphasizes the growing awareness of AI risks. Companies deploying AI will focus on robust governance policies, processes, and tools to mitigate risks. Techniques like Retrieval Augmented Generation will be employed to balance the augmented intelligence provided by Generative AI, ensuring ethical and responsible use.
As entrepreneurs gear up for the year ahead, these trends underscore the need for adaptability and a proactive approach to leverage the latest innovations. Stay tuned for a transformative 2024, where technology meets practicality, and businesses embark on a path of sustainable success.