Rewind 2024: Technology Trends That Stood Out in 2024

The year 2024 saw significant advancements in emerging technologies, emphasizing the integration of AI, digital twins, Agentic AI, and quantum computing across industries. Companies are focusing on ethical practices and innovations that enhance sustainability and efficiency.

BENGALURU: The year 2024 has turned out to be quite the spectacle in the tech world, as various emerging technologies made their way into mainstream practices. While many new innovations were on display, the focus of this year seemed to be more about integrating these technologies across industries rather than simply introducing them. Let’s dive into a roundup of what stood out this year.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI stole the show in 2024, captivating the interest of companies ranging from small businesses to tech giants. Many firms moved beyond the initial proof of concept phase, pushing towards making these technologies tangible. With AI automating operations and redefining customer experiences, the focus has been on creating hyper-personalized solutions. Kanchan Ray, CTO of Nagarro, shared insight into the year’s priorities. “What truly stands out this year is the emphasis on ethical and responsible innovation. The focus has shifted from isolated technological advancements to building interconnected ecosystems that drive end-to-end business efficiency with inclusivity and sustainable growth,” he stated. Notably, various sectors in India, including healthcare and e-commerce, saw significant advancements in the adoption of AI-driven solutions.

The digital twin concept has also made waves in 2024. Although not brand new, it proved exceptionally useful for organizations looking to simulate real-world situations and outcomes. According to Pankaj Vyas, CEO and MD of Siemens Technology and Services, there has been a notable surge in the development of smarter systems that emphasize sustainable practices, thanks to AI, IoT, and – notably – digital twins. “Leveraging real-time data from IoT enabled infrastructure in digital twins and AI applications, helps augment each of these technologies to create high impact outcomes,” he elaborated. Such strategies have allowed enterprises to not only optimize processes but also enhance predictive analytics.

Then there’s Agentic AI, a somewhat new player in the AI landscape, now being touted for its capacity to manage tasks autonomously. These AI agents are capable of delving into intricate issues with remarkable data-analysis abilities. John Roese, Global CTO and Chief AI Officer at Dell Technologies, predicts that Agentic AI will dominate the discourse in 2025 as a key driver of change in technology. “The word of 2025 will be Agentic. It is a defining advancement in AI technology and will be a catalyst for significant progress in how we approach AI architecturally,” Roese states. According to Anil Kumar, CTO of Exotel, the emergence of Agentic AI is reshaping industries, particularly in enhancing customer engagement through intelligent systems.

Quantum computing has certainly emerged as a hot topic this year, gaining massive attention for its potential to transform various fields. Madhusudan Murthy, SVP, and head of engineering for APAC at GlobalLogic, called it “the year’s most electrifying technological narrative,” noting that quantum computing is no longer just a theory but a game-changer in how we understand computation. With Google’s breakthrough in quantum chips and their ability to tackle previously unsolvable problems, the implications are immense.

“India, with its National Quantum Mission at the forefront, is striving to establish itself as a key player in the global quantum race,” he mentioned. The shift from binary bits to qubits heralds vast possibilities for sectors like healthcare and finance, promising revolutionary advancements in drug discovery and cybersecurity solutions.

As we look beyond these standout technologies, there’s also significant development happening in the semiconductor ecosystem. The industry is now leveraging AI, not only through large language models but also exploring smaller, efficient language models. The consensus among experts is clear: the future will likely hinge on how humans and machines interact, with sustainability at the forefront of innovation objectives.

In summary, 2024 has been a pivotal year for technology, marked by the rise of AI, digital twins, Agentic AI, and quantum computing. The push towards ethical AI practices and innovative technological integrations is reshaping industries. With advancements in sustainability and human-machine interactions on the horizon, the future looks both exciting and transformational.

Original Source: www.newindianexpress.com