The Top Strategic Technology Trends For 2024

In the dynamic landscape of technology, the year 2024 is poised to witness transformative shifts driven by key strategic trends that promise to reshape the way businesses operate and innovate. From the democratization of Generative AI (GenAI) to the critical focus on AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management (TRiSM), organizations are navigating a landscape where intelligent applications, augmented-connected workforces, and sustainable technologies play pivotal roles in defining success. As businesses strive to adapt and thrive, the following exploration delves into the top strategic technology trends for 2024, providing insights into the forces that will drive significant disruption and opportunity for CIOs and IT leaders in the coming 36 months.

1. Generative AI (GenAI)

The democratization of Generative AI (GenAI) is underway due to the convergence of extensively pre-trained models, cloud computing, and open-source solutions, rendering these models accessible to global workers. According to Gartner, the projection for 2026 anticipates that more than 80% of enterprises will have integrated GenAI APIs and models or deployed GenAI-enabled applications in production environments, a significant leap from the less than 5% recorded in early 2023.

The adoption of GenAI applications will empower businesses by providing access to vast internal and external information sources for business users. Consequently, the swift integration of GenAI is poised to democratize knowledge and skills within enterprises. Large language models will facilitate a conversational style with rich semantic understanding, connecting workers with information seamlessly.

2. AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management

The democratization of AI access underscores the increasing urgency for AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management (TRiSM). In the absence of proper guardrails, AI models can generate compounding negative effects, overshadowing any positive contributions to performance and societal advancements. AI TRiSM tools encompass ModelOps, proactive data protection, AI-specific security, model monitoring (including data drift, model drift, and unintended outcomes), and risk controls for third-party models and applications.

Gartner’s prediction for 2026 suggests that enterprises implementing AI TRiSM controls could enhance decision-making accuracy by eliminating up to 80% of faulty and illegitimate information.

3. AI-Augmented Development

AI-augmented development entails leveraging AI technologies, including GenAI and machine learning, to assist software engineers in designing, coding, and testing applications. This approach enhances developer productivity, allowing development teams to meet the escalating demand for business-running software. AI-infused development tools enable software engineers to allocate less time to coding, facilitating a shift towards more strategic activities such as designing and composing compelling business applications.

4. Intelligent Applications

Intelligent applications, defined by Gartner as possessing learned adaptation to respond autonomously, embed intelligence as a foundational capability. These applications utilize various AI-based services, including machine learning, vector stores, and connected data, to dynamically adapt to user needs. The demand for intelligent applications is evident, with 26% of CEOs in the 2023 Gartner CEO and Senior Business Executive Survey citing talent shortage as the most detrimental risk to their organizations.

Attracting and retaining talent remains a top workforce priority for CEOs, and AI is identified as the technology most likely to impact industries significantly in the next three years.

5. Augmented-Connected Workforce

The augmented-connected workforce (ACWF) strategy aims to optimize the value derived from human workers by utilizing intelligent applications and workforce analytics. This approach provides context and guidance for workforce experiences, well-being, and skill development. Simultaneously, ACWF drives positive business results and impact on key stakeholders. Gartner predicts that through 2027, 25% of CIOs will employ augmented-connected workforce initiatives to reduce time to competency by 50% for key roles.

6. Continuous Threat Exposure Management

Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) offers a pragmatic and systematic approach for evaluating the accessibility, exposure, and exploitability of an enterprise’s digital and physical assets consistently. Aligning CTEM with threat vectors or business projects, rather than infrastructure components, unveils vulnerabilities and unprecedented threats.

Gartner anticipates that organizations prioritizing security investments based on a CTEM program could achieve a two-thirds reduction in breaches by 2026.

7. Machine Customers

Machine customers, also known as ‘custobots,’ are nonhuman economic actors capable of autonomously negotiating and purchasing goods and services. The prediction for 2028 suggests the existence of 15 billion connected products with the potential to act as customers, generating trillions of dollars in revenues by 2030. Strategic considerations should focus on facilitating these algorithms and devices or even creating new custobots.

8. Sustainable Technology

Sustainable technology is a framework of digital solutions utilized to enable environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outcomes that support long-term ecological balance and human rights. Technologies like AI, cryptocurrency, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing raise concerns about energy consumption and environmental impacts. Gartner forecasts that by 2027, 25% of CIOs will see their compensation linked to their sustainable technology impact.

9. Platform Engineering

Platform engineering involves building and operating self-service internal development platforms, each maintained by a dedicated product team. These platforms aim to optimize productivity, user experience, and accelerate the delivery of business value.

10. Industry Cloud Platforms

Gartner predicts that by 2027, over 70% of enterprises will leverage Industry Cloud Platforms (ICPs) to expedite business initiatives, a significant increase from less than 15% in 2023. ICPs amalgamate SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS services into a comprehensive product offering tailored to specific industries. These platforms provide industry data fabrics, packaged business capabilities, composition tools, and other innovations.

This year’s top strategic technology trends continue to emphasize the disruptive forces and opportunities that will impact CIOs and IT leaders in the next 36 months.

Source: Gartner