What are the IT trends for the coming months of 2024?

Anastazja Łoś, IT recruiter with more than 6 years’ experience in HR Outsourcing. She has been working in the IT industry for 2 years, helping top professionals find jobs. She believes that a company’s most valuable resource is its people, which is why her work focuses on getting to know candidates and understanding their needs in order to match the most interesting project with the best candidate. She runs the ITDS Ski & Hiking Club, where she shares her passion for the mountains with her colleagues.

Over the past few decades, trends have emerged in the technology sector that are revolutionising the IT industry. Their main aim is to meet the ever-increasing needs and requirements of businesses, thereby creating more business opportunities. What trends will dominate the IT market at the beginning of 2024?

Key IT trends in 2024

Both Polish and foreign research centres are wondering what’s going to change in the IT industry in the coming months. The latest report from global technology research and business advisory leader Gartner, ‘Top Strategic IoT Trends and Technologies Through 2023’, shows that current trends are strategic in driving innovation in digital business. What will be the hottest trends in the IT industry in 2024?  

1. Metaverse, or meta-world

One of the leading trends in the IT industry that has generated much debate and will undoubtedly become even more important in 2024 is the metaverse (also known as the meta-world). It is a virtual platform where you can live a digital life. This means that it will be possible to create avatars to perform certain activities in virtual reality. Such a development will promote the automation of processes, especially in the context of medium and large companies that have already implemented new technologies in their operations. In the digital world, it will be easier to identify and effectively resolve potential problems, avoiding unplanned downtime and enabling remote training and maintenance of equipment.  

2. IoT – Internet of Things

IoT, translated as Internet of Things, has already been a popular trend for several years, and is expected to gain even more momentum in 2024. IoT entails connecting various devices and objects to the Internet to allow them to communicate and share data. It functions by installing special sensors in devices that gather data and send it to central systems where it is analysed and used for decision-making.

The Internet of Things is becoming increasingly significant within the wider context of global change. This includes advancements in software languages, networked communication, and new possibilities for every sector, such as finance. Communication between numerous devices, as well as the global network, enables the development of financial services, including faster payments, real-time notification systems or improved customer service. Advanced task automation also improves operational efficiency, reduces costs, and enables accurate analysis of data collected on internal operations at various levels. As a result, the use of IoT allows for risk management and increased process security: from continuous transaction monitoring to customer data management.

The benefits of advanced data monitoring and analysis also extend to process optimisation in the IT sector, particularly in development projects. The network infrastructure needed to expand the application areas of the Internet of Things to other sectors (e.g. industry, transport, construction) is helping to advance the creation of new digital solutions. Intelligent applications that integrate adaptable systems, cloud and edge computing that improves data transfer and processing, thus accelerating device responsiveness, are just the beginning and a harbinger of a new reality. 

3. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to systems or machines that mimic human intelligence to perform tasks and can evolve based on the information collected. This technology is becoming more prevalent in everyday life and has already reached almost all areas of life. The Gartner study predicts a huge increase in the number of devices connected to the Internet and an increase in the volume of information being processed. The popularisation of AI will also entail the evolution of the workforce. With artificial intelligence, it will be possible to completely automate many professions, such as maintenance and assembly workers on production lines or telemarketing employees.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence will still enable new tools to facilitate the work of technology and other areas. Polish experts emphasise its role in generating music, artwork (DALL-E) and code in a selected programming language or text (ChatGPT).

4. Cybersecurity

There is no doubt that in recent years, cybersecurity has become a priority. With the need for and official recognition of remote working and the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was essential to enhance online security measures. There has been a substantial increase in hacking attacks and data leaks in recent years. Not surprisingly, there will be a stronger focus on investing in technology and trained professionals in the upcoming months. All to ensure data security, prevent cyberattacks, viruses and any other threats to the information and technology of businesses and individuals. In addition, it will be important for ICT companies to implement solutions that provide a mechanism to quickly detect a threat and take an immediate and appropriate response.

5. IT Outsourcing

The popularity of IT outsourcing, particularly for specialists, is growing steadily – both in Poland and globally. Therefore, it will continue to be a significant IT trend in 2024. Focusing on strategies that will help companies concentrate on their core business by outsourcing the process of sourcing and recruiting IT professionals to external companies should boost the demand for such services.

The benefits of outsourcing IT engineers include reduced costs, improved efficiency, reduced risk, the opportunity to work with the most skilled professionals in the market and more.  

What challenges must the IT industry be ready for?

According to experts [2], in the coming months the IT industry will have to focus on significant progress and adapting to the rapid development of technology. From artificial intelligence and working on data security and protection to complying with regulations and upskilling employees. All of this is undertaken to meet the demands of a growing market and to provide potential customers with premium solutions.

At the same time, the trend towards developing technologies in an environmentally sustainable manner is recognised. This is because data processing, based on large amounts of information, generates significant environmental costs. Today, business customers are becoming more aware of these challenges. They expect the products and services they use to have a positive impact not only on their needs and requirements, but also on society and the world.

Sources:
[1] https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/3890506
[2] https://www.oracle.com/pl/internet-of-things/what-is-iot/
https://www.dsr.com.pl/internet-of-things-iot-czym-jest-internet-rzeczy-w-przemysle/
https://www.money.pl/gospodarka/jak-internet-rzeczy-iot-zmienia-dzisiejszy-biznes-6887253651655616a.html
[3] https://geek.justjoin.it/trendy-w-branzy-it-w-2023-roku/
[4] https://builderpolska.pl/2023/06/02/wyzwania-branzy-it-w-polsce-w-2023-roku/