2024 is a year poised for groundbreaking IT advancements, redefining the ways in which we live, work, and interact with the world. In this article, we break down the biggest trends to keep watch for in the new year, helping your business stay ahead of the curve.
Where are these new technology trends coming from?
Some of these trends are the results of old developments finally being refined to a point where they can be applied consistently in a business environment, such as augmented reality and virtual reality. Other trends are the result of technological advancement intersecting with widespread public concerns, such as green IT. And of course, there are the trends that are the results of astounding technological innovations, as is the case with quantum computing.
Generative AI
Generative AI is any type of artificial intelligence designed to generate new, original content autonomously. Emerging as a trend in 2023, this technology is set to continue transforming our daily tasks and activities, seamlessly integrating itself into everyday applications such as office software, communication tools, and search engines. By entrusting our routine tasks to generative AI, we can unlock more time for creative pursuits, critical thinking, and human connection.
On top of this, the AI sector has been experiencing a growing need for smaller, more cost-efficient language models, adaptable to edge computing and smaller enterprise infrastructures. This may be supported by the rise of more user-friendly platforms, helping companies harness the benefits of generative AI without the need for extensive technical knowledge.
Green IT
Green IT involves a spectrum of eco-friendly technology solutions, from electric cars, bikes, and public transport to innovative business strategies such as carbon capture and renewable energy technologies. Two key advancements in sustainable technology expected to shape the IT landscape include low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture technologies. The former aims to revolutionize fuel alternatives by using renewable or nuclear energy for hydrogen production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. On the other hand, carbon capture technologies are evolving to become more efficient and less energy-intensive, helping drive the decarbonization of carbon-heavy activities.
Businesses are also increasingly emphasizing product design with durability, recyclability, and reusability integrated from inception. There’s also the widespread shift toward “green cloud computing,” in which infrastructure and services prioritize management of energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Quantum computing
Quantum computing is poised for tangible breakthroughs in 2024, with its early investors including financial institutions interested in enhancing their fraud detection and risk management. These applications are also expected to span fields such as drug discovery, cryptography, meteorology, and materials science.
Despite these advancements, however, quantum computing may also pose a threat to the current landscape of cybersecurity. Technology may require the development of quantum-resistant algorithms to maintain the safety and privacy of sensitive data. This has already reached the point that the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is now issuing a standard for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) in 2024, meaning algorithms believed to be immune to quantum cyberattacks.
Increased cyber resilience
Beyond traditional cybersecurity measures, cyber resilience has become a priority for 2024 and beyond, designed to not only strengthen security measures but also ensure recovery and business continuity when breaches occur. This holistic approach acknowledges the inevitability of cyberthreats and aims to provide organizations with the ability to withstand, recover, and adapt.
Solutions may include implementing security protocols for remote work, helping ensure business functionality even when traditional office spaces are compromised. AI- and machine learning-powered automation is also expected to play a role in enhancing cyber defenses.
. Such technologies could empower cybersecurity systems to adapt as necessary to evolving threats, establishing proactive defense mechanisms. Additionally, a heightened awareness of the cybersecurity field — from sophisticated social engineering attacks to effective PR responses in times of security crisis — will be integral to bolstering overall cyber resilience.
Virtual reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) continue to promote a seamless integration of our digital and physical lives, with digital avatars set to become a standard practice. Such a trend is already evident in professional collaboration through platforms such as Zoom and Teams, as well as in the popularity of online gaming and esports.
Advances in genomics add another layer to this convergence, translating certain elements of life into digital code. This code, manipulable in the digital realm, holds the potential to engineer new drugs and combat diseases in the tangible world. 2024 is thus expected to continue blurring boundaries between the real and the virtual, ushering in a reality where the digital and physical become just as realistic and malleable as the other.
Looking to advance your technology for 2024 and beyond? Our team at outsourceIT can help assess your current IT needs and then provide the latest solutions to keep you ahead of the competition. Get in touch with us today.
