Forrester has recently published its annual compilation of the top 10 emerging technology trends for 2024. According to Brian Hopkins, the Vice President of Forrester’s emerging tech portfolio, the evolution of AI agents stands out as this year’s most thrilling development. AI agents are interconnected with other technologies on the list, such as TuringBot agents, edge intelligence, autonomous mobility, and extended reality.
Hopkins explained that AI agents are now utilizing advanced language models to carry out complex tasks, make decisions, and autonomously interact on behalf of enterprises or individuals. This shift from purely generative AI to “agentic AI” is expected to deliver more sophisticated and less fragile automation capabilities. Furthermore, Forrester predicts that the value timeline for TuringBots will be shortened from 5-10 years to 1-2 years.
The integration of AI into edge devices, known as edge intelligence, is another rapidly progressing area. For example, Apple recently announced that its AI system would run directly on its devices. Furthermore, the deployment of AI agents to vehicles, known as autonomous mobility, is projected to have applications in shipping, physical space management, and public transportation in the next 2-5 years.
Moreover, agents will enhance extended reality (XR) and reshape user interfaces in the future. XR allows users to interact with interfaces using methods such as voice, gestures, and eye movements. Additionally, generative AI for language and visual content has been recognized as a rapidly advancing technology category, resulting in its division into two distinct areas.
The remaining three trending technologies focus on security, with IoT security making the list due to the ongoing proliferation of smart devices and the necessity to securely deploy and manage them. Zero Trust edge, a cloud-based service that combines networking and security tools to secure remote environments, was also highlighted for its importance in today’s landscape. Finally, quantum security was added to this year’s list, emphasizing the need to develop quantum-resistant algorithms and cryptographic agility in preparation for the future.
Hopkins stressed the significance of investing in security technologies now as AI capabilities expand, leading to potential vulnerabilities that malicious actors can exploit.
The unveiling of Forrester’s top 10 emerging technology trends for 2024 offers insights into the exciting developments and transformations that lie ahead in the world of technology. The potential impact of these trends is wide-ranging and is likely to shape the way we interact with and deploy technology in the years to come.