In 2023, we witnessed the widespread impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, which significantly transformed the way we work, learn and communicate.
This AI momentum is still under way and is expected to continue in 2024. We are in a phase of discovering these new capabilities, and some experts believe we are witnessing a disruption comparable to the launch of the first iPhone or the changes brought about by Netflix.
In 2023 we also came to understand even better the importance of data within companies, as terms such as “data culture”, “data-driven culture” and “data democratization” became mainstream. These concepts won’t be going away anytime soon, especially since generative AI itself depends on being fed data.
With that in mind, we can expect to hear more about how these technologies evolve in 2024. By looking at the top trends identified by Gartner, we can understand and prepare for what lies ahead.
Here are five technologies that will be widely discussed next year and that will in some way build on the technologies used in 2023.
01 – Artificial Intelligence:
This year, we saw artificial intelligence go mainstream. That spread triggered an intense race to apply the technology across every kind of industry. In this context, people began using AI for everyday tasks such as writing text, checking spelling and answering general questions.
However, many users noticed inconsistent information and errors related to the platform’s sense of time. This was largely because the AI’s knowledge was limited to 2022. The strategy to solve this problem emerged recently with the release of updates and paid versions of these AI tools.
These changes and errors, however, raised questions about how reliable an AI really is, whether it is ChatGPT or an AI used internally by a company.
For next year, Gartner highlights the use of governance models known as AI TRiSM (AI Trust, Risk and Security Management). This framework aims to prevent cyberattacks and verify information more efficiently.
AI TRiSM covers strategies and methods for model interpretability and explainability, anomaly detection in data and content, AI data protection, model operations management and resilience against potential attacks.
This AI governance approach is needed for generative AI to be more widely adopted and used and, above all, for artificial intelligence to become an ever greater part of our daily lives.
02 – Sustainable technologies
As AI advances, we are witnessing the progress of technology as a whole. But these advances and changes are not limited to the tech sector. Today, ESG principles are widely discussed across industries and companies of every kind.
In this context, technology solutions that help measure progress on ESG policies, grounded in environmental preservation and human rights, will be in high demand next year. This new approach ties directly to Gartner’s forecast that by 2027, 25% of CIOs will have part of their compensation linked to their environmental impact.
Finally, while these changes are significant and positive for companies, cultural shifts like these don’t happen overnight, since they affect the entire organization. Gartner outlines a series of measures that can drive change within teams, such as technologies that help promote sustainability in each area and are identified as company priorities.
03 – Continuous threat exposure management
Another crucial point is how companies are approaching technologies and systems to contain threats, commonly known as cyberattacks. Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) is essential to anticipate and contain potential damage.
The idea behind this security model is to continuously expose companies to the biggest threats to their security. This allows them to get ahead, identify security gaps, train their employees and set priority metrics for when a real attack occurs.
This security framework was introduced by Gartner in July 2022 and is directly tied to the cybersecurity changes expected in 2024. According to Gartner, companies that structure their security models around CTEM practices see a two-thirds reduction in cyberattack-related issues.
Finally, according to Gartner, the benefits of implementing CTEM practices outweigh the risks, since multiple components are tested and numerous areas of concern are revealed.
04 – Intelligent applications
Returning to AI, Gartner predicts a significant increase of more than 30% in applications that deliver personalized, adaptive interfaces through artificial intelligence over the coming years.
As a result, it will become increasingly common for companies to rely on applications connected to external information sources and multiple data sources.
The idea behind applications that use AI to reinvent themselves is to make them ever more flexible to customer needs. In return, companies will gain increasingly valuable data about users. Gartner also suggests that AI could provide companies with ever more comprehensive reports on user lifestyles and recommend insights for improvement.
Finally, teams must monitor the many AI tools available on the market, assessing the depth and complexity of their capabilities. It is also crucial to carefully evaluate each step taken and measure the effectiveness of the changes. This approach will help companies stand out from competitors, delivering not only innovation but also high-quality products that meet end-consumer expectations.
05 – Even broader AI democratization
Finally, this year we saw exponential growth in the use of generative AI. Yet not every area of a company can rely on artificial intelligence in its daily routine.
Gartner points to an even broader expansion of AI, focused mainly on democratizing information. This becomes even more critical for multinational companies that handle data across multiple languages and locations.
The idea is for companies to adopt AI and train their employees to understand and embrace it as an integral part of their work, unlocking higher productivity, especially in routine tasks. It is also essential to assess the return on investment AI can deliver when widely used across the company.
Conclusion
Notably, despite all the progress made in 2023, change is expected to continue and the refinement of platforms already in use is set to intensify.
It seems clear that AI is here to stay, promising to streamline everyday tasks and free up time for more strategic work. This applies to areas such as IT, sales, finance and marketing, where these technologies are expected to become even more present and integrated into our daily lives.
This outlook is reinforced not only by Gartner’s analysis but also by market trends pointing in the same direction.