2024 tech outlook: AI breakthroughs and beyond

Happy new year to our Tech Thread community! Time flew by last year, but we're all geared up for an exciting start to 2024.

It's time to explore the exciting possibilities awaiting us this year. This edition is?more than just a newsletter; it's a crystal ball into the future. From more AI breakthroughs to transformative business models, we're diving into a world brimming with potential and innovation, and we're here to help you stay one step ahead. Let's charge on.

AI will be used aggressively

Just so it's clear, no one can predict how much AI will change, but one thing is certain: AI advancement is happening faster than we expected. A recent survey of nearly 3,000 AI researchers compiled by a team working with?AI Impacts, the ongoing research project related to the long-term impacts of AI, reveals a significant shift in expectations. Among them: the anticipated date for AI to outperform humans in all tasks has moved from 2060 to 2047, a 13-year leap compared to the insights provided last year. The fear of robots snatching our jobs might not seem so far-fetched anymore! But there's some glimmer of hope for the time being.

Much of this apprehension could be rooted in fear rather than?reality;?only time will tell. With that said, there's also a real fear of AI being used by bad actors to fuel their nefarious activities like social engineering scams as it becomes increasingly difficult to differentiate actual truth and facts from an eerily accurate, AI-generated reality.

Cybersecurity threats are bigger than ever?

Cybersecurity is emerging as a critical concern in 2024 as we begin harnessing the power of AI. The intertwining of AI with data use and privacy highlights the need for robust security measures. These include vulnerabilities in large language models, privacy breaches, and the risks associated with immature AI technologies.

As such, businesses will intensify their focus on AI-driven cybersecurity measures.??Ironically, 2024 might be the year where we begin fighting AI with AI.

AR and?VR will go mainstream, again

The Internet of Things (IoT) is fast becoming the Internet of Everything (IoE). With an increase in wearables and more of our devices being connected to the Internet (yes, including random items like salt shakers and bins), all this data could be used to enhance our virtual experiences. While the majority of the AR and VR world has revolved around gaming so far, that might change with more big players entering the?market, starting with 2D mobile applications. And it's no surprise that AI is being used in the mix here as well. The possibilities are endless as we begin to find better ways for software to understand our world and augment the reality in it, but it's equally important to keep in mind the security impact of connecting everything we own to the internet.

Every company will want to become a?tech company??

To the surprise of few, the top five companies in the world today are technology companies. Tech and the internet are so woven into everything that almost every company has hopped on the tech bandwagon in some way.?Being connected 24x7 has redefined the customer and employee experience, setting the bar for business successes. And it's not just gadgets getting smarter–companies are too.

Companies do not have to be actively producing software or be a multi-million dollar business to be called a digital enterprise. Businesses of all kinds are changing gears to gain a competitive advantage. Bottom line: companies that get creative with technology are the ones likely to outplay the rest and make serious waves in the market.?

Are you curious about how ManageEngine empowers digital enterprises to make the most of what technology offers? Check out our 2023 recap. Relive the magic, get inspired, and discover the fire behind our spirit to empower digital excellence in enterprises worldwide.

And as always, don't miss out on the insights and inspirations that are shaping the digital enterprise world by subscribing to our newsletter. Until next time!