Top Information Technology Trends to Watch in 2024

As technology continues to advance in leaps and bounds, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest technological trends and innovations that are shaping the future. In this article we delve into top technologies that are gaining more traction and will have impact on our lives based on insights and analysis from leading experts and industry leaders as we can expect to see an acceleration in the pace of technological advancements and breakthroughs.

Generative-AI, a cutting-edge technology, has revolutionized various industries by enabling machines to create content that resembles human-generated work. These systems use models trained on large datasets to produce content that is often novel, creative, and, in some cases, indistinguishable from content created by humans. It encompasses a wide range of applications, from text generation to image synthesis, music composition and even video game design. It is expected to help businesses evolve further, Gartner predicts that “by 2026, more than 80% of enterprises will have used Generative AI APIs and models and/or deployed GenAI-enabled applications in production environments, compared to less than 5% in 2023″ While generative AI has shown tremendous potential for creativity and innovation, it also raises ethical concerns, such as the potential for generating deepfakes or other manipulative content.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already received a lot of buzz and accolades in the past decade. Still, it continues to be one of the new technology trends because of its impact on how we live, work and play are only in the early stages. AI is already known for its superiority in image and speech recognition, navigation apps, smartphone personal assistants, ride-sharing apps and so much more. Other than that, AI will be used further to analyze interactions to determine underlying connections and insights, to help predict demand for services like hospitals, enabling authorities to make better decisions about resource utilization, and to detect the changing patterns of customer behavior by analyzing data in near real-time, driving revenues and enhancing personalized experiences.  Machine Learning the subset of AI, is also being deployed in all kinds of industries, making it another new technology trend you must keep in mind too.

Extended reality comprises all the technologies that simulate reality, from Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality to Mixed Reality and everything else in-between. VR immerses the user in an environment while AR enhances their environment. By creating a reality without any tangible presence, this technology is massively popular amongst gamers and have enormous potential in training, entertainment, education, marketing, and even rehabilitation after an injury.

Cloud and Edge Computing, are other technology trends where rapid growth is expected. Cloud computing has had exponential growth and is expected to maintain the momentum. Edge computing enables real-time processing and analysis of data at the edge of the network, without needing to send data to the cloud for processing. This will result in faster response times, reduced latency, and increased reliability. 

Cyber Security, cyber attacks have become a major concern for businesses in recent years. As a result, cyber security is no longer just another priority but an absolute necessity. IT leaders must adopt a pragmatic and systemic approach to adjust cybersecurity optimization priorities continuously. This is best achieved through basic steps such as using encrypted services, training and raising employee awareness, conducting pen testing tests, creating and updating software, and validating compliance and governance. More tools are expected to counter the ever-evolving cyber crime scene.

Genomics, imagine a technology that can study and use your DNA to improve your health, helping you fight diseases and what have you. Genomics is precisely that technology that peruses upon the make-up of genes, DNAs, their mapping, structure, etcetera. Further, this can help quantify your genes and result in finding diseases or any possible problems that can later be a health issue. 

Robotic Process Automation (RPA), like AI and Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation is another technology that automates jobs. RPA is the use of software to automate business processes such as interpreting applications, processing transactions, dealing with data, and even replying to emails. RPA automates repetitive tasks that people used to do. More and advanced no or low-code applications are expected giving users the ability to just drag and drop to create customized solutions.

Quantum Computing, this is another remarkable technology, quantum computing is a form of computing that takes advantage of quantum phenomena like superposition and quantum entanglement. It is a technology that has the potential to optimize investment strategies and encryption or discover new products in unseen timeframes. The significant differentiating factor of this technology is that quantum computers are much, much faster than regular computers.

Internet of Things (IoT), many “things” are now being built with WiFi connectivity, meaning they can be connected to the Internet—and to each other. Hence, the Internet of Things. IOT is the future. We are already using and benefitting from IoT. We can lock our doors remotely if we forget to when we leave for work and re-purpose the home camera, all while tracking our fitness on our Fitbits.

Metaverse, the metaverse is a virtual, interconnected digital universe where users can interact with each other and digital environments in real-time. It combines augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and various technologies to create immersive, shared experiences. Companies are exploring metaverse applications in gaming, social networking, education, healthcare, and beyond. This trend represents a convergence of digital and physical worlds and is expected to have far-reaching impacts on communication, entertainment, and business collaboration.

To a tech-savvy anno domino 2024!