Tech Trends For The Second Half Of 2024: What Stays And What Goes
Thai Son Nguyen has spent the last 18 years building a world-class digital transformation and ecommerce service provider through SmartOSC.
Hard to believe as it may be, we’re in the second half of 2024. That means we have six months of data on the prevailing tech trends of the year so far. This also means we know what businesses should bring with them into the second half of 2024 and which trends should be consigned to the dustbin of history.
In my discussions with other industry leaders and those on my company's podcast series, a few common themes have emerged that I believe will shape the tech industry’s direction for the second half of 2024. It's clear that as business leaders, we have a responsibility not just to keep pace with the change in technology trends but also to pilot the ship.
So, it's time for us to take action: What trends should we bring forward into the second half of 2024, and what should we leave behind?
The rapid advancement of generative AI has brought alongside it incredible amounts of hype as everybody tries to jump on the bandwagon and integrate this powerful tech into their operations. But what’s the best way to adopt it in your organization? While you might not have completely answered that question yet, I believe it's clear that using AI tech in a disparate manner without top-down oversight and bottom-up experimentation is hamstringing teams and organizations.
Marketing is particularly susceptible to the fragmented use of AI. While the tech can greatly boost efficiency if different teams use different solutions, brand messages can be lost. “If you add in multiple marketers into the mix who are using their own separate AI tools for creation, this can lead to a completely fragmented set of outputs,” Maria Elena Martyak, director of Doyle Blackfriars, wrote on LinkedIn. She suggested establishing guidelines on which AI tools to use and how they should be deployed.
On my business's podcast, Dennis Trawnitschek, chief technology officer at SCBx, : "[AI] is a team sport ... And it's also very important that we embrace the change from the top." He added, "The top needs to walk the talk." He also emphasized the value of a balanced approach that harmonizes both top-down and bottom-up strategies. While the high-level team should actively oversee and guide the integration of AI tools into various aspects of the business, it's crucial to embrace bottom-up involvement and foster a culture of experimentation and innovation within the organization.
You get what you pay for, right? Well, not necessarily.
While it might be tempting to break the bank on the latest, shiniest new system, a high price doesn’t always equal high quality. Your technology has to work for your company, so make sure you’re well aware of what your needs are. Those needs will vary based on sector, location, company maturity and myriad other factors, though virtually all companies would be well-served prioritizing portions of their budget to things like cybersecurity and customer engagement.
The main point is to do your research and understand your unique needs. Do you need tech that’s ready to scale quickly or tech that's suitable for the IT talent level of your organization, for example? Whatever your needs are, they should be a bigger factor in your purchase decision than the price tag.
One-size-fits-all solutions might appear convenient on the surface, but they can struggle to keep pace with the rapidly evolving demands of modern businesses. A company's requirements are multifaceted and unique, which means many businesses need more tailored approaches. Modular, specialized solutions can allow for greater agility and adaptability, as well as enable the integration of components that drive innovation.
The strategic imperative for organizations is to foster an ecosystem that prioritizes continuous innovation and flexibility. Consider exploring specialized solutions that can help your company navigate the complexities of your unique business landscape while maintaining a competitive edge in an ever-changing market.
The rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude is disrupting the traditional notion of coding. With these advanced language models, individuals who can write now have the ability to code with some degree of proficiency, making technology stacks more accessible to a broader range of team members.
This trend aligns with the growing popularity of no-code and low-code development platforms, which aim to democratize complex technologies such as AI, machine learning and the Internet of Things by providing user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop tools. Traditionally, developing applications that leverage these advanced technologies required extensive programming knowledge, but no-code and low-code platforms can enable more rapid prototyping and accelerated solution deployment, even for non-technical users.
The potential of this trend is further highlighted by Gartner, which predicted that 70% of new business applications will use low-code or no-code technologies by 2025. Leveraging said technologies can give middle managers a greater depth of insight into the work their teams do, allowing them to better assess and support their direct reports.
In addition to the democratization of technology, another significant trend is the growing consumer demand for authenticity and real-life experiences. A study by Sitecore and Advanis revealed that 85% of consumers want brands to showcase "real life" rather than "perfect life" experiences, which reflects a shift away from anything perceived as artificial.
This trend necessitates a re-engineering of products and services, with an emphasis on quality, craftsmanship and storytelling that resonates with consumers seeking meaningful brand connections. By embracing authenticity, businesses can differentiate themselves and create offerings that are not easily replicated. Ultimately, this can foster exclusivity and value that resonates with customers.
As we navigate the second half of 2024, it's crucial to make strategic decisions about which tech trends to embrace and which to leave behind. Saying farewell to disparate AI applications, costly technologies and monolithic systems could be a smart move for many business leaders. Meanwhile, I believe no-code and low-code platforms, along with authenticity in products, will be embraced in the near future. By making these informed choices, businesses can stay agile, innovative and competitive in an ever-evolving tech landscape.
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