Two decades ago, the internet was pretty slow. Fast forward to 2024, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can instantly whip up poems, stories, and even legal or medical documents with just a few ticks.
Technology is changing things fast and it affects how we live, work, and have fun. Businesses are feeling hopeful and curious about new tech, but they need more info and support to keep up.
2024 Tech Trends to Look Out For
To help out, we've sifted through the buzz and found the top tech trends that might shake up businesses in 2024.
Connectivity-driven Super Ecosystems on the Horizon
New and traditional players in payments are teaming up, creating a new era of digital payment experiences. This means businesses can validate e-invoices in real-time against government regulations and taxes, making it faster to send bills online and get paid. It also ensures smooth data transmission between banks and other providers for instant access to financial information and services.
In 2024, big global platforms like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft will keep improving how their products work together. People are tired of using many different apps for different tasks; they want everything in one place, working seamlessly. Instead of a single 'super-app,' we'll see the power of a 'super ecosystem'—financial services interconnected to make paying bills, transferring money, and managing finances easier in one spot.
New technologies like blockchain and web3 platforms could be the building blocks for innovative payment methods when combined with concepts like self-sovereign or decentralized identity. This helps people share their identity and other data more securely.
Cloud Computing Trends for Businesses
Cloud computing is set to remain a vibrant and thrilling catalyst for innovation and opportunities throughout 2024. Businesses are expected to spend over $1 trillion on cloud computing infrastructure worldwide, marking a significant milestone. This increase is driven by the growing demand for adopting new platforms and services, particularly in artificial intelligence. Beyond just saving time and money, businesses are realizing that cloud migration can unlock innovation, agility, and overall success across various industries.
Despite the benefits, challenges remain, particularly in areas like security and data protection. However, new models such as hybrid cloud and federated cloud systems aim to provide comprehensive solutions, breaking down barriers in the process.
Creative Resurgence with AI
Generative AI became widely popular, described as a remarkable rebranding success by Axios' Scott Rosenberg. Although language models aren't new, tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Grok made AI more interactive and accessible, marking a significant advancement in technology. This has helped businesses create content more easily and quickly.
While we've only just begun exploring this technology, in 2024, we expect more practical applications in creative content, generative design, and engineering. Although the initial excitement might decrease, we anticipate AI models becoming more valuable for creators and engineers seeking innovative solutions. Instead of mimicking existing concepts, AI may usher in a 'creativity boom,' generating entirely new designs or products.
In the coming year, AI models could act as co-pilots for creators. This collaborative approach aims to filter numerous new ideas and design options. Proficiency in working with AI models will become increasingly important across various industries. Challenges related to misinformation, copyright issues, and bias will also need addressing in 2024, as there is a growing push for the safe, transparent, and ethical use of AI systems worldwide.
The Growing Influence of Augmented Conversational UI
When ChatGPT was first introduced, it’s noticeable how it changed the way we interact. Siri and Alexa have promised conversational interfaces before, but they've always been more functional than truly conversational. ChatGPT is different—it's not just a better search engine; it's becoming one of the first genuinely usable and understandable chatbots.
Looking ahead to 2024, AI tools will keep transforming how we interact with computers. These language models will enable conversational chatbots, powered by APIs, to engage with customers. This means businesses can use chatbots to handle customer inquiries or explore new markets, offering real-time conversations in various languages 24/7.
Google and Microsoft will likely improve their AI capabilities, and there are rumors that Apple might introduce its generative AI tech on iPhones and iPads in late 2024. If this happens, Siri and the Messages app could get better at answering questions and completing sentences, similar to the recent enhancements to Amazon's Alexa.
Metaverse's Latest Power Sources
Living and working in a virtual world may seem far-fetched. But recent advancements in metaverse technologies, especially augmented and virtual reality, along with big investments from tech companies like Apple, are bringing this idea closer to reality. While it might not fully mature in 2024, it's worth noting that changes often take longer than we expect.
Many believe that the metaverse, a new internet iteration, will offer immersive experiences for entertainment, education, and community building. It will redefine digital asset ownership, with many evolving concepts in 2024.
Carbon Accounting Taking Center Stage
We're in a crucial decade for dealing with climate change. Governments and industries will face increasing pressure to cut their carbon emissions by 2030. The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) might make reporting on emissions mandatory for businesses. These standards could become the basis for accounting rules in 2024.
For businesses, accurate tracking of carbon emissions is crucial to staying in supply chains and providing reliable environmental information. Using carbon accounting software with existing accounting systems will make carbon reporting a natural part of financial practices for businesses.
Conclusion
Although it might take years or decades to fully understand how certain tech trends will affect the world, the initial moves toward that future are happening now. Businesses and their team should stay updated on these trends, as they will likely be important in shaping the future.