Top 9 Predictions for Technology in 2024
Tech evolves fast, bringing new and exciting opportunities every year. For 2024, our tech leaders are spotlighting AI's growing role, along with predictions on IT security and other key tech areas.
Prediction 01
Enhancing security with self-hosted AI
The trend toward self-hosting AI is set to gain significant momentum in 2024.
Mike Saccotelli, Director of Solution Delivery at SPR, emphasizes the importance of this shift in addressing security and privacy concerns. "To reduce the security and privacy risks, firms will start to explore the feasibility of hosting their own LLMs and AI tools," he notes. This insight reflects a strategic response to the vulnerabilities associated with cloud-based AI, particularly in terms of data protection. "This may be cost-prohibitive for many, but for others, the benefit may outweigh the cost of hosting," he says, acknowledging the financial aspect of this shift. This shows a broader trend in the technology landscape, where organizations prioritize the security and customization of their AI tools, carefully weighing the costs against the potential benefits.
Prediction 02
Focusing on core IT security & governance
IT departments will double down on their core responsibilities to ensure efficient governance amidst the rapid evolution of AI and cloud platforms.
As organizations increasingly equip business users with advanced technology solutions, the responsibility falls on IT groups to maintain strong security and governance frameworks. This prioritization comes at a time when AI dominates tech discussions, yet the fundamental requirements for delivering safe and effective solutions remain unchanged. "AI may be the hot topic, but the core of what is required to safely deliver solutions does not change,” says Melissa McElroy, Senior Director of Solution Delivery at SPR.
With platforms like AWS, Azure, and Office 365 continuously evolving, effectively managing these services and strictly adhering to their changing policies becomes crucial, underscoring the importance of robust IT practices in the backdrop of rapid technological advancements.
Prediction 03
Transforming work with AI integration
Expect AI integrated into daily work routines as a new standard, particularly for knowledge workers.
Driven by the increasing acceptance of AI co-pilot capabilities within corporate America, SPR’s Executive VP of Delivery Justin Rodenbostel says we should expect AI integrated into daily work routines as a new standard, particularly for knowledge workers. "It will be the norm for knowledge workers to use gen AI co-pilots daily," he predicts.
Taylor Regan, Director of UX and Product Design at SPR, sees a broader impact of AI beyond mere automation and cost-savings. "Organizations will initially focus on AI for automation, but soon discover its potential for revenue growth, exploring untapped markets and enhancing customer service," Regan says. This realization will also empower employees with new skills, fostering significant changes in professional identities.
These developments will be part of a more significant trend where human-centered AI, employed through a design and critical thinking lens, creates empathetic, transparent, and ethical solutions.
Prediction 04
Demand for AI Regulation + Ethical Use
Comprehensive AI regulation will be realized in all major geographies.
Expect a landmark year for AI regulation globally, predicts Steven Devoe, Data Specialty Director at SPR. He foresees comprehensive AI regulation becoming a reality in all major geographies. "The EU's recent guidelines for AI regulation are just the beginning,” he says. “The U.S. and the rest of the world will soon follow suit.” This prediction stems from increasing global awareness about the ethical implications and potential risks associated with AI technologies. With the EU leading the way, other regions are expected to implement similar frameworks to ensure that AI development and deployment are ethical, transparent, and accountable. The year 2024, therefore, marks a significant move toward a more regulated and responsible AI landscape, shaping the future of how AI is governed worldwide.
Prediction 05
Combating malicious use of AI in cybersecurity
As AI technologies become more accessible and advanced, they also fall into the hands of cybercriminals, enhancing their ability to launch sophisticated attacks.
"Particularly concerning is the potential misuse of multi-modal AI technologies, which can process text, images, video, and audio to craft highly convincing and creative attacks," says Matthew Mead, CTO at SPR. These advanced techniques are expected to significantly increase the effectiveness of phishing and social engineering tactics, leading to a surge in malware infestations, ransomware attacks, and thefts. The cybersecurity community will need to adapt rapidly, developing countermeasures and strategies to combat these evolving threats. This situation underscores the dual-edged nature of AI advancements, offering incredible opportunities for innovation and potent tools for malicious purposes.
Prediction 06
Zeroing in on cloud cost management in business strategy
Organizations will evaluate their cloud investments and look to optimize through modernization.
In 2024, medium- to large-sized organizations will emphasize reducing IT costs, with a special focus on cloud spending. This will result in a surge in demand for FinOps-focused consultants, who will play a crucial role in helping businesses monitor, control, and optimize their cloud expenses. "At the same time, cloud modernization efforts will intensify," says Mead. "Organizations will look to upgrade their legacy cloud infrastructures, moving toward more cost-effective and feature-rich cloud platform services." This dual approach of financial optimization and technological upgrading will be key to achieving more efficient and effective cloud operations in the evolving IT ecosystem.
Prediction 07
AI to revolutionize software testing
Organizations will shift-left, identifying defects earlier in the development cycle to reduce later rectification costs.
The software testing scene in 2024 will undergo a significant transformation, largely influenced by advancements in AI. A key shift is the adoption of shift-left testing, where defects are identified earlier in the development cycle, significantly reducing later rectification costs. This approach is gaining traction as it aligns with the increasing complexity of software systems. Generative AI is also making a substantial impact, automating the transformation of user stories into comprehensive test cases. "AI tools are key in covering scenarios that humans might overlook,” says Adnan Khan, Principal Architect at SPR. This enhancement in testing accuracy and coverage is a game-changer. Integrating AI with tools like JIRA and using advanced language models like the GPT engine is becoming more prevalent. Machine learning's role in analyzing test results and predicting potential issues is further streamlining the process, making software testing more efficient and effective.
Prediction 08
Data & its carbon footprint
Major cloud providers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are leading the charge to reduce the carbon footprint of their data centers.
Efforts include transitioning to carbon-neutral operations through renewable energy investments and innovative approaches like underwater data center hosting. "Sustainability and environmental concerns are driving cloud providers to adopt high-performance computing and storage hardware to reduce electricity usage," says Mahadeva Bisappa, Principal Architect at SPR. The growing demand for data storage and processing capacity, propelled by AI advancements, underscores the need for next-generation technologies. "It's critical for corporations to invest in modern compute, storage, and cooling technologies," Bisappa notes, highlighting the necessity to manage increased electricity demands.
Data observability also takes a front seat, becoming essential for maintaining data quality and reliability. The evolution of data observability tools, especially those leveraging AI and ML, will be geared toward addressing issues like data anomalies and integration challenges.
Prediction 09
Growing backlash on artificial intelligence
While enthusiasm around AI continues to rise, a growing backlash should be anticipated in 2024, primarily due to its misapplication.
The year is expected to see some high-profile AI failures, fueling skepticism and criticism toward the technology. Most of this backlash will likely stem from instances where AI is used incorrectly or inappropriately.
AI, when correctly positioned, can be a powerful component of a company’s technical infrastructure, driving significant business value and product differentiation. However, misusing AI can lead to adverse outcomes, such as reduced software quality and algorithmic biases.
