Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and more: Five trends that could shape the future of technology in 2024

There were no flying cars or robotic servants this year. 2023 has not been a year of flashy technological breakthroughs. Instead, it has been a year of quiet progress, strategic consolidation, and a recalibration of priorities. The dust of breathless anticipation of the past decade has settled, and an accurate picture of technological progress has emerged. As we look into the crystal ball about what the tech landscape will look like in 2024, we see fewer eye-catching gadgets and, hopefully, more focused on building a better, more equitable world where responsible innovation takes center stage.

The rise of artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence, the undisputed buzzword of our time, has finally ditched the “potential” and started delivering tangible results in 2023. From optimizing factory floors to predicting patient outcomes, AI algorithms have quietly penetrated various industries, leaving behind a series of transformative processes. But this progress has not been without growing pains. Concerns about ethical implications, biases in algorithms, and vulnerabilities in data privacy have fueled heated debates, giving rise to regulations such as the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, which aims to protect against potential misuse of this powerful technology.

The year 2024 will witness the continuation of this cautious dance between progress and responsibility. Expect deeper integration of AI, not just as a proven tool but woven into the fabric of the entire workflow. However, this will not happen without intense scrutiny. The focus will shift to explainable AI, mitigating bias, and ensuring data privacy. Expect more stringent regulations and regulatory frameworks to emerge to guide the responsible development and deployment of AI solutions.

The “Sam Altman saga” of 2023, with its debate between rapid commercialization and long-term safety concerns, is likely to reverberate throughout 2024. The question of who controls powerful AI tools – single entities or open source communities – will remain an important issue. .

Metaverse Meditations

Once heralded as the next frontier of human interaction, the Metaverse faces a reality test in 2023. While VR headset technology has become increasingly sophisticated, user adoption has remained largely niche. The metaverse's elusive “killer app” has remained elusive, raising questions about its long-term viability. However, there have been glimmers of innovation in education and training, where virtual reality has proven its ability to create transformative learning experiences.

2024 could be the year the Metaverse starts to get back on its feet.

Bloomberg Intelligence predicts that the metaverse market will reach $800 billion by 2024. Meanwhile, the analysis group predicts that the global economy could exceed $3 trillion within ten years. The focus will shift towards real-world applications, and education and training are likely to lead the charge. Imagine students actually walking into historical simulations or dissecting virtual frogs in biology class. Expect collaboration between VR/AR companies and educational institutions to develop immersive learning platforms that redefine the classroom experience.

However, the success of the metaverse hinges on accessibility. Expect efforts to make VR/AR hardware and software less expensive and more user-friendly, with open standards and cross-platform compatibility becoming increasingly important.

Digital Castle

As we become more dependent on digital infrastructure, the specter of cybercrime increases. 2023 saw a rise in ransomware attacks, data breaches, and state-sponsored cyberwarfare. According to Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Cyfirma, approximately 68% of cyberattacks in the past three years were state-sponsored globally. The SolarWinds hack and Log4j vulnerability were a stark reminder of the interconnectedness and vulnerability of our digital world. Governments and businesses have rushed to bolster cybersecurity defenses with a renewed focus on data protection, threat intelligence, and robust resilience strategies. According to Cyfirma's India Threat Landscape 2023 report, India is the most targeted country globally, facing 13.7% of all cyberattacks.

This trend is likely to continue in 2024, as cyber threats become more complex and targeted. Expect attackers to focus on exploiting vulnerabilities in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the metaverse. Governments must cooperate internationally to develop effective cyber defense and counterattack strategies. Businesses must invest in advanced security tools and employee training to stay ahead of evolving threats. The focus will shift towards proactive threat intelligence, real-time incident response, and building cyber resilience into the core of digital infrastructure.

Restart the blockchain

The crypto craze subsided dramatically in 2023, with the fall of major exchanges and the collapse of ambitious DeFi projects dampening the fever. The Web3 narrative, which promised a decentralized internet built on blockchain technology, has lost its luster. However, blockchain technology has found itself fertile ground in real-world applications outside of the financial sphere. From tracking products in supply chains to securing digital identities, blockchain's transparency and immutability has proven its value in diverse sectors.

In 2024, expect a more moderate approach to cryptocurrencies. Regulatory frameworks will likely be implemented to address concerns about market volatility, fraud and money laundering. While the “get rich quick” mentality may be fading, blockchain technology itself will continue to find niche applications across industries. Think tamper-resistant medical records, secure voting systems, and efficient cross-border transactions. The focus will shift towards building trusted and transparent blockchain ecosystems with real-world utility, pushing innovation beyond the hype.

Redefining sustainability

With the climate crisis becoming more apparent, 2023 saw a decline in investment and innovation in climate technology. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), funding for climate tech startups has fallen to levels last seen five years ago. However, despite this temporary slowdown, the need for sustainable solutions remains stronger than ever. Green bonds have gained more attention, and ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations have become central to investment decisions, reflecting a growing awareness of the need to invest in a planet-friendly future. The US government's Low Inflation Act – a $369 billion package of climate investments – is a prime example. The Indian Ministry of Energy estimates that investments in renewable energy projects in India will witness growth exceeding 83%, reaching approximately $16.5 billion next year.

2024 will see the return of climate technology, fueled by necessity and opportunity. Advances in renewable energy solutions such as solar and wind will make them more cost competitive. Carbon capture technologies, once relegated to the realm of science fiction, will begin to see real-world deployment, aimed at pulling global warming gases from the atmosphere. Green hydrogen, which is produced from renewable electricity, could emerge as a game-changer in clean transportation and industrial processes, especially in India.