Technology trends in 2024

The domains of information technology and technology are undergoing swift transformations in 2024 due to the impact of endless innovation, shifting market requirements, and the worldwide socioeconomic environment. Are all trends advantageous, or do certain trends, in fact, pose a detriment? It is recommended that you acquaint yourself with the foremost trends in the domains of information technology and technology for the year 2024.

1.AI

AI is without a doubt the guiding beacon amidst the trends of 2024. A year ago, students and teachers used ChatGPT as a pastime, but today, nearly everyone uses browser services to complete specific duties, such as Copilot or Bard.

The integration of AI technologies has resulted in the delegation of a substantial proportion of human tasks to AI. However, why has this trend peaked? It is, in fact, quite straightforward. The capabilities of artificial intelligence surpass those of humans by a significant margin. In service, machines that are programmed with embedded AI complete duties more quickly and affordably. Experts from Gartner forecast that by 2026, more than 80% of businesses will utilize generative AI in some capacity, either via APIs or by deploying AI-enabled applications. In contrast, the proportion of such enterprises remained below 5% in 2023. Over the course of the forthcoming years, AI productivity will be acknowledged as a primary metric for evaluating the progress of domestic economies. 

2.Smart devices and virtual assistants

The advancement of artificial intelligence has been instrumental in automating and smartening our world. Not merely a humanoid imitation, but a practical instrument that streamlines our existence. 

Virtual assistants like Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant instantly provide answers to queries, saving you from spending time searching on Google. Smart houses, vacuum cleaners, and systems significantly ease our daily lives, right? Personal robotic assistants have become even more convenient for certain groups of people who need more assistance and support, such as the elderly or people with disabilities. As a remote-controlled robotic platform, the Assistant Personal Robot (APR) is intended to offer social and support services to individuals with moderate cognitive impairments. The number of individuals aged 60 and older is projected to increase from 12% to 21% over the next 35 years, as reported by the United Nations and the World Health Organization; therefore, these technologies will acquire even more traction in 2024. 

3.VR and AR

We are not only talking about the popularity of VR and AR in games or game design but also in retail, modeling, and medicine. Complex modeling software is used for military and medical training. The release of Apple’s VR set is a revolution for today’s digital market. Apple’s Vision Pro, released on February 2, uses spatial computing to overlay 3D graphics and videos onto real-world settings, offering an immersive experience that can change medical education, patient interaction, and clinical workflows. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global virtual reality (VR) market in healthcare was estimated at $459.0 million in 2021 and is expected to grow from $628.0 million in 2022 to $6.20 billion by 2029, demonstrating an average growth rate of 38.7% during the forecast period.

4.Quantum computing

Quantum computing has been trending for several years. Computers of the future built on the principles of quantum mechanics will be much more productive and energy-efficient than any modern electronics.

Quantum computing is used in various fields, including military and banking affairs, cybersecurity, medicine, and more. For example, quantum computing technology is applied to preventing the spread of the coronavirus and developing potential vaccines. According to McKinsey, quantum computing has the highest value in life sciences (supporting the development of treatments through genomics, for example), finance, transportation, and logistics. By 2035, this technology could create additional value of up to $1.3 trillion.

5.Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things is an all-encompassing or pervasive internet. Already, IoT has received attention at the highest level, starting in 2009 in Brussels with the support of the European Commission, hosting annual Internet of Things conferences where European commissioners, scientists, and leaders of leading IT companies present reports. According to expert forecasts, by 2030, about 50 million IoT devices will be connected to the network. They will form a “network within the network,” accumulating terabytes of data about the physical world and providing businesses with opportunities for real-time process management and decision-making. However, let’s not forget about the drawbacks of modern technologies and the culture of impunity on the network. If the elements of the system are not properly protected from unauthorized interference using reliable cryptographic algorithms, we will find a “hole in the fence” for cybercriminals. Since embedded computers store a lot of information about their owner, including their precise location, the risk of hacking and leaking confidential information is significant.

6.5G Network

The 5G platform is a next-generation telecommunications network that provides data transmission speeds of up to 20 Gbps. Almost all telecommunications companies, such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and Apple, are currently working on developing 5G applications. The 5G network will also contribute to acceleration in various sectors, including healthcare, logistics, business, education, and more.

In the transportation sector, 5G will facilitate communication between different vehicles as it rapidly collects data from any corner of the world. As the world moves towards semi-autonomous and fully autonomous vehicles, the low-latency feature of 5G will significantly speed up the transfer of information between the driver and the operator.

5G technology will impact businesses by enabling the implementation of smart monitoring and maintenance systems, enhancing product quality, and minimizing equipment failures. By the end of 2027, the number of 5G subscriptions is expected to reach 4.4 billion, marking this technological trend as a new revolutionary push.

7.DevOps, Kubernetes, and hybrid clouds are must-haves.

With the growth of automation, remote services, cloud computing, and big data, the demand for DevOps engineers is on the rise. While cloud computing and data processing centers were once exclusive to large organizations and startups, they are now a must-have even for small businesses. The demand for DevOps engineers continues to increase despite economic recessions.

Virtualization systems are becoming obsolete, and there are a growing number of offerings from cloud solution providers. Alongside the trend of cloud and DevOps services, attention is also drawn to:

• AIOps and MLOps, 
• Kubernetes, containerization, 
• DevOps configuration by design (for digital B2B or B2G products). 

Why is this a trend? The answer is again on the surface: anything that simplifies working with IT systems and automates any processes will always be in trend. Only the trend of designing new IT systems with security and data protection in mind stands out from this paradigm. But we will talk about it later.

8.Cybersecurity

Whatever, cybersecurity remains a relevant trend in 2024. Kidnapping corporate data and personal user information, information leakage, and even basic system hacking initiated by a clickbait virus are urgent issues today. Various cybersecurity tools, such as cloud technologies, DPI, SASE, and remote workplace and personal device protection, are being employed to regulate criminal activities. The emergence of new cybersecurity tools leads to the rise of specialists in this field, including ethical hackers, malware analysts, and cybersecurity engineers.

The introduction of new security programs will make it increasingly difficult for attackers to infiltrate cyberspace, creating new processes in security program development.

9.3D Printing

At the CES 2024 consumer technology exhibition, leading companies covering the entire technology sector, as well as global giants like Amazon, Google, and Samsung, were showcased. In the realm of 3D printing, companies such as Creality, Formlabs, Siemens, and Doser unveiled new 3D printers and manufacturing solutions at the exhibition. Therefore, this indicates that the popularity of 3D printing will continue to grow.

In light of current war conflicts, there will be a significant number of veterans with limited mobility or amputated limbs. Modernized prosthetics development using 3D printers, improvement of interaction with nervous endings, and neural impulses for user convenience are more relevant than ever.

In 2024, we will also witness further expansion in the use of metal 3D printing, bioprinting for creating living tissues and food, improvements in printing speed, and an increase in the variety of available materials. For example, in 2022, in the United States, a woman’s ear was reconstructed using an implant made from living tissue, 3D-printed.

Elzelinde van Doleweerd developed a “tartlet” made from beets and carrots, presented on 3D-printed petals using chitosan and sugar, adorned with edible flowers. So, when will it be possible to print a fresh croissant at home? 

10.Genomics

Technological progress in genomics opens up numerous possibilities for generating new DNA in the future. Personalized medicine is a key aspect of this trend, allowing doctors to create personalized and effective treatment plans through the analysis of individual genetic characteristics. CRISPR technology has made it easier to edit the genome, opening up new possibilities for treating genetic diseases.

The use of genetic data allows the creation of plants and animals with improved characteristics, such as increased yield, disease resistance, or enhanced nutritional properties, which is crucial in agriculture. In theory, the “genome editor” can be used as a transformer of the genetic code in an unborn child. Future parents will be able to choose everything, from the color of the eyes to the height of their child. Although such wonders have not yet occurred, the research process is underway in countries like the U.S., Israel, the UK, and China.

11.Development of low-code solutions

Probably this item should have opened this list at AI trending levels. However, it is not new on the market, and we all already work with it in one way or another, from CRM systems to creating basic websites. Business analysts, project managers, and technical consultants actively use these tools for quick hypothesis testing with clients, and job descriptions for low-code developers, or “modelers,” are already available.

In 2023, there were instances of low-code solutions being used for backend development, such as Xano, which can connect to anything using APIs. Even in Ukraine, state systems are being built on the principles of the low-code approach. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digitalization-proven-tool-resilience-what-digital-solutions-15qof/?trackingId=4AdpQ3Z8cLGLe12M3chB1g%3D%3D

Is this a trend? Absolutely. Anything that simplifies the interaction of an ordinary user with IT technologies is now developing at a rapid pace. Small businesses, from cafes to veterinary clinics, will increasingly interact with modern, low-code solutions. However, even in these solutions, there is a flip side to the coin.

However, these solutions come with challenges, including security levels, intellectual property rights, product and data ownership rights, and subscription models. Low-code tools will make hypothesis testing simpler, cheaper, and more convenient, but critical and core business systems will continue to be developed with the involvement of new engineers and specialists.