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Welcome 2024: technology trends that will change our societies

Technology trends: 2024 is expected to be brimming with inventive advancements and thrilling technological strides poised to reshape society and the global economic landscape. Emerging trends, often revisited with fresh approaches and entirely new trajectories, are set to exert considerable influence in the months ahead.

Let’s take a look at some of the technology trends that seem to dominate in 2024:

Generative AI 

Commencing with generative artificial intelligence may seem conventional, yet it stands as arguably the most pivotal technological force. The infancy of its manifestation has been witnessed, and 2024 promises the revelation of its full potential. A notable emphasis may materialize on democratizing knowledge and training across diverse business roles and functions, both technical and non-technical.

Gartner’s prognostication suggests a seismic shift, asserting that “by 2026, over 80% of enterprises will have harnessed Generative AI APIs and models, deploying GenAI-enabled applications in production environments, a stark contrast to the mere 5% in 2023.”

Quantum Computing

Quantum Computing, harnessing quantum phenomena like superposition and entanglement, emerges as a game-changing technology with the potential to revolutionize investment strategies, encryption, and product discovery within unprecedented timeframes. The notable differentiator lies in the remarkable speed of quantum computers compared to their traditional counterparts, attracting substantial innovation efforts from industry giants like Microsoft, AWS, and Google. Global market revenues are projected to surpass $2.5 billion by 2029.

Cybersecurity as a central pillar

Cybersecurity, evolving into a central pillar, transcends from a mere priority to an absolute imperative due to the escalating threat of cyber attacks. IT leaders must adopt a pragmatic and systematic approach, continuously optimizing cybersecurity priorities. This involves fundamental measures like employing encrypted services, heightening employee awareness through training, conducting pen-testing tests, formulating and updating protocols and software, and ensuring compliance and governance.

Technology trends 2024
Photo by Gerard Siderius on Unsplash / Technology trends 2024

Green Tech

In the face of an environmental crisis, the spotlight is on Green Tech, with technology acting as a linchpin in creating an ecological and socially equitable balance. Governments and organizations commit to zero emissions agreements and sustainable technologies, leveraging AI, blockchain, cloud computing, extended reality, robotics, and other innovations to foster a greener, more sustainable future without compromising efficiency and business growth.

“Figital” Convergence and Digital Twins

A groundbreaking concept known as “Figital” convergence and Digital Twins is rising, representing the confluence of the real and digital realms. Augmented reality, virtual reality, and immersive experiences are dismantling the traditional boundaries between the two, closely entwined with the evolution of digital twins. This trend propels the digital into heightened realism while rendering the physical more flexible, catalyzing advancements in digital skills across various professions, refining business processes, enhancing efficiency, and yielding exponential cost savings.

The importance of data

Recognizing data as a paramount asset, its effective utilization emerges as a key differentiator in competitive landscapes. The concept of datification transforms tasks into data-driven processes across various technologies, necessitating secure and accurate data storage. A Data-Driven strategy becomes instrumental for companies, facilitating the creation of new customer experiences, operational acceleration, capitalization on market opportunities, and the agility to pivot in the face of the unexpected.

The anticipated technological landscape of 2024 is poised to usher in a transformative era marked by unprecedented innovations and advancements. From the maturation of generative artificial intelligence, the steadfast fortification of cybersecurity as a necessity, and the convergence of the real and digital through “Figital” technologies to the revolutionary potential of quantum computing and the pivotal role of Green Tech in mitigating environmental challenges, each trend underscores the dynamic nature of progress.

As we navigate this evolving terrain, the fusion of digital and physical realms, propelled by augmented and virtual realities, promises enhanced realism and a redefinition of skills across diverse professions. Quantum computing’s exceptional speed and potential applications, coupled with the commitment to sustainability through Green Tech, emphasize technology’s profound impact in shaping our future.

Crucially, the strategic utilization of data emerges as a linchpin for success, with a Data-Driven approach enabling companies to navigate uncertainties, seize opportunities, and foster innovation. As organizations embark on this technological journey, the convergence of these trends promises efficiency gains and cost savings and lays the foundation for a more sustainable, interconnected, and resilient future. In essence, 2024 stands as a harbinger of groundbreaking shifts, where the fusion of human ingenuity and cutting-edge technology paves the way for a new era of possibilities.

George Mavridis is a journalist currently conducting his doctoral research at the Department of Journalism and Mass Media at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). He holds a degree from the same department, as well as a Master’s degree in Media and Communication Studies from Malmö University, Sweden, and a second Master’s degree in Digital Humanities from Linnaeus University, Sweden. In 2024, he completed his third Master’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies: Law and Policy at AUTH. Since 2010, he has been professionally involved in journalism and communication, and in recent years, he has also turned to book writing.