Over the past two decades, technology has developed at a breakneck pace. Digitisation is now in full swing and we’ve become increasingly more reliant on tech innovations across every aspect of our day-to-day lives. Whether playing games for entertainment or using cloud-based systems in the workplace, there’s no denying the impact that technology trends have had on human life here in the 21st century.
Now, with a brand new year just on the horizon, the technological landscape continues to develop. Let’s take a closer look at the four key tech trends to watch out for in 2024.
Generative AI
Generative AI may have hit the mainstream during 2023, but over the coming 12 months this is a tech market that will really come into its own. Artificial Intelligence is still a highly divisive concept; tech geeks have been singing its praises for decades, but the average consumer is skeptical at best. This skepticism is well-justified, too, since we’ve all been fed those horror stories about humanity becoming redundant as AI takes over our jobs and lives.
In reality, AI is more of a helpful tool than a force poised for global domination. Generative AI, in particular, will likely be a focus point for many of the tech applications we use on a daily basis, from search engines to communication tools and business software. The benefits of this are numerous, by offloading menial work tasks like data collection, scheduling, and project organisation to AI software programs for example, business owners will be better placed to leverage the human aspects of their workforce, leading to more time for creativity and ideas generation.
The Metaverse
Immersive entertainment itself isn’t exactly an emerging trend in the industry. There’s actually been an increased focus on realism in gaming experiences throughout multiple sectors, including video gaming and the iGaming market — which has been steadily flourishing for over a decade. Using the latter as an example, we can chart the numerous improvements that have been made in immersive graphics and sound design in popular online slots games in recent years. During the early days of the sector, players were largely content with simply being able to access digital versions of real money games, however, as the years went on and mainstream gaming went fully online, iGaming software providers soon started to integrate more advanced technologies into their offerings.
Now, of course, players can access realistic versions of the full spectrum of iGaming experiences — across a number of different devices too. But, while these titles authentically capture the sounds and feelings associated with playing online casino Singapore games, their capacity for immersion is still relatively limited. The Metaverse, however, takes immersion and realism in gaming into whole new realms by enabling players to actively engage with games, rather than simply playing them. Sticking with the slots example, metaverse versions could transport players into virtual gaming rooms in which they’re able to interact with their surroundings and their fellow players thanks to the integration of VR, AR and AI.
Moreover, with the continued advancement of Web 3.0 in 2024, new opportunities for integration with the metaverse will open up for entertainment, social interactions, and even business practices. The metaverse holds the potential to deliver highly personalised and rewarding online experiences, making it a viable business development and brand management tool for prganisations across a wide range of sectors.
Sustainable Tech
Sustainability continues to be a key trend across numerous industries in 2024 and the tech industry will be no exception. Companies and countries alike are prioritising net-zero targets, while global consumers are more conscious than ever of the impact of their personal habits on the planet’s ecosystem.
There are several key innovations driving the adoption of sustainable tech during 2024. Green cloud computing, for example, applies environmentally conscious and sustainable practices across the design, implementation, and operation of IT infrastructures and services. Electric modes of transport, like bikes, cars, and buses, will increase their market share over the coming 12 months, while the increased presence of the circular economy will see reusability and durability factored into the products from the very first design stage.
Quantum Computing
The concept of quantum computing may have kept Sci-Fi sectors in play for decades, but in 2024, it’s all set to become a reality. Thanks to big tech incumbent IBM, which released its first 433 qubit processor quantum machine in 2022, quantum computing has already become an emerging technology sector.
Quantum computing stands to fully revolutionise our relationship with IT systems, enabling us to solve even the most complex of computing problems at unimaginable speed and scale. While it may not, as yet, find use cases and applications throughout all industries, quantum computing will likely make a significant mark on tech sectors like the ones we’ve mentioned in this article during 2024 and beyond.
