In our first part of the blog on Gartner's Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2024, we unraveled the first five transformative insights. From fortifying AI trust to revolutionizing collaboration, we set the stage.

Now, In Part 2, we dive into the evolution of Industry Cloud Platforms, Intelligent Applications, Democratized Generative AI, Augmented Connected Workforce, and the intriguing realm of Machine Customers.

From the transformative potential of Industry Cloud Platforms to the intelligent future painted by Intelligent Applications, and from the democratization of Generative AI to the augmentation of our connected workforce – every trend we dissect reveals a new layer of innovation.

Let's explore each of these trends and delve into the intricacies that are shaping the technological landscape in 2024 and beyond.

6. Industry Cloud Platforms

According to Gartner® projections, Industry Cloud Platforms (ICPs) will drive enterprise acceleration, rising from less than 15% in 2023 to over 70% adoption by 2027.

ICPs seamlessly combine Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) components into a comprehensive product. They are tailored to deliver industry-specific business outcomes. These platforms offer features, including an industry data fabric, pre-packaged business capabilities, composition tools, customizable workflows, and other innovative solutions. Cloud-based and meticulously crafted, ICPs are the future of efficient, industry-tailored digital solutions, providing organizations with customizable capabilities and a pathway to accelerated business initiatives.

7. Intelligent Applications

Shortly, AI is set to transform user interfaces, with Gartner® predicting that by 2026, a significant leap will occur. Anticipating a surge from the current usage of less than 5%, the forecast indicates that 30% of new applications will leverage AI to pioneer personalized adaptive user interfaces.

Gartner emphasizes Intelligent applications, where intelligence is defined as the ability to learn, adapt, and act autonomously. This foundational capability incorporates diverse AI-based services, from machine learning to vector stores and connected data. Therefore, intelligent applications are positioned to deliver experiences that dynamically adjust to user context and intent. The integration of adaptive intelligence into applications marks a pattern shift, promising to augment and automate work, enhancing overall user experiences. As we look toward the future, the intersection of AI and application development holds the key to a more personalized, efficient, and intuitive digital realm.

8. Democratized Generative AI

The combination of highly trained models, cloud computing, and open-source technology is enabling the democratization of Generative AI (GenAI), which is drastically changing the nature of the global workforce.

Gartner® predicts- by 2026, more than 80% of businesses will have implemented GenAI-enabled applications, models, or generative AI APIs in production environments. This represents a significant increase from just 5% in 2023.

These advancements enable GenAI, which makes a wide range of internal and external information sources more accessible to business users. This rapid adoption is set to democratize knowledge and skills inside businesses by empowering employees to engage with data in a conversational manner enhanced by deep semantic understanding. By utilizing large-scale language models, enterprises can create a work environment where employees can easily access the knowledge they need to succeed, marking a transformative era in accessibility and collaboration.

9. Augmented Connected Workforce

The augmented-connected workforce (ACWF) stands as a strategic initiative to maximize the value generated by human workers. Fuelled by the imperative to expedite and scale talent, the ACWF trend leverages intelligent applications and workforce analytics. These tools offer real-time context and guidance, enriching the workforce's experience, well-being, and self-development capabilities. Simultaneously, the ACWF acts as a catalyst for driving business results and creating positive impacts for essential stakeholders.

Gartner predicts a significant shift, envisioning that by 2027, 25% of CIOs will adopt augmented-connected workforce initiatives. These initiatives are anticipated to cut down the time to competency by an impressive 50% for critical roles within organizations.

This forecast underscores the pivotal role of ACWF in reshaping how organizations optimize their workforce, enhance employee skills, and achieve accelerated competency, aligning with broader business objectives.

10. Machine Customers

Machine customers, also known as 'custobots,' are autonomous nonhuman entities capable of independently negotiating and acquiring goods and services in exchange for payment.

The trajectory indicates that by 2028, there will be an astonishing 15 billion connected products with the capacity to function as customers, with the potential for billions more in subsequent years. This burgeoning trend is poised to generate trillions of dollars in revenues by 2030, surpassing the transformative impact of the advent of digital commerce.

In this landscape, strategic planning should encompass opportunities to support and facilitate these algorithms and devices or develop innovative custobots, recognizing their evolving significance in the economic landscape.

Conclusion

Gartner's Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2024 reveal a transformative landscape. From the surge of Industry Cloud Platforms to the imminent AI-driven revolution in applications, the democratization of Generative AI, the strategic impact of an Augmented Connected Workforce, and the rise of Machine Customers - the digital realm is evolving rapidly.

Organizations must adopt these trends and encourage innovation and adaptability to survive this significant technological shift. The future holds the promise of efficiency and a dynamic convergence of machine and human capabilities, creating a digital landscape in which embracing transformative possibilities and strategic planning go hand in hand. We are at the beginning of this technological revolution, and those who take advantage of these trends and strategically incorporate them will undoubtedly lead their companies into the future.

As we navigate Gartner's transformative technology trends, Espire stands ready to empower enterprises to embrace the future.

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