Phil is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Textdrip — a small business SMS marketing tool to automate SMS campaigns
If 2023 was a year during which artificial intelligence (AI) helped the digital world propel innovation to new heights, 2024 will be a year in which we can’t imagine our daily lives without AI. Being an active member of a digital community, I’ve witnessed AI diversify into various industries, including software development, e-commerce, education, robotics, human resources, marketing, security and many others.
However, there’s still a long way to go as most founders and CEOs get accustomed to the new era of AI tech innovations. As we witness groundbreaking advancements, here are my predictions of the five key AI tech trends for 2024 and beyond.
1. Artificial General Intelligence Is Real
Artificial general intelligence (AGI) could soon be a reality. For the uninitiated, AGI will have the intelligence to perform and accomplish intellectual tasks that only humans can currently do.
Many organizations, including OpenAI, are working to create a technology that could potentially surpass human intelligence. Although the development of the technology is ongoing, we’re being told that AGI can offer incredible power and new capabilities.
But, as we’ve heard before, with this great power comes great responsibility: We must use AGI ethically to ensure it doesn’t cause societal disruption. Although many believe that AGI will pose a threat to humanity, if used shrewdly, it can greatly benefit the global economy, expand scientific discovery and redefine the limits of what’s possible.
2. AI For Education
AI shares a close relationship with education. After all, students across the globe enroll themselves in AI and data analytics courses to master the field. However, we’re not far from the days when AI will become integral to educational institutes.
While researching and comparing different colleges for my son, I discovered that there are AI devices capable of analyzing answer scripts and technology that more closely aligns lessons with real-word scenarios. Additionally, natural language processing (NLP), an arm of AI, can translate course materials and content into a desired language to benefit global students. Thus, AI for education will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education.
3. AI In Software Development
Most of us have used one or more apps or software with built-in AI capabilities to generate content, perform tasks or do much more. For instance, ChatGPT gives you a wealth of information, Midjourney provides creative visuals and Textdrip uses AI to help generate compelling content that users can send to their customers.
But in 2024, the software development industry will peak to a new level at which AI will benefit not only the software users but the software developers too. Tools like Copilot from GitHub use AI to allow software developers to spend less time writing code and more on building customer-centric software solutions.
Using AI for software development signifies a paradigm shift in which software solutions are designed, developed and tested using AI tools. It helps improve the productivity of the team and enables them to quickly address and iterate on the feedback.
4. AI For Data Security Management
As our reliance on AI tech tools grows, so does the need for robust data security management. As explained earlier, AI has diversified into various industries and is used for various purposes, including providing services that collect users’ information.
AI for data security management is about instilling confidence in the AI systems that power our digital world. They can identify unknown threats, detect flaws and vulnerabilities in real time, respond to and prevent security threats and do much more.
Businesses will deploy AI security systems to not only keep consumer data confidential but also secure their organizational secrets. Companies like IBM are developing AI-powered security solutions that help businesses confront and safeguard their systems from hundreds of data assaults and unknown threats. As businesses and individuals entrust more sensitive information to AI systems, the development and implementation of AI will become critical pillars for data security management in 2024.
5. Generative AI For All
The use of generative AI (GenAI) is one trend that especially interests me, as I believe it promotes inclusivity in the AI landscape. In 2024, GenAI will become more accessible to broader audience groups and dismantle the notion that AI is an exclusive domain.
Gartner researchers predict that “more than 80% of enterprises will have used generative AI APIs or deployed generative AI-enabled applications by 2026.” GenAI has become a top priority for the C-suite where its role goes beyond content creation to data analysis and real-time adaptation for crafting unique customer experiences.
GenAI for all fosters a culture of collaboration in which individuals with varying levels of technical expertise can contribute to and benefit from AI-driven solutions. With user-friendly AI development platforms and tools, the barriers to entry are lowered, enabling innovation to flourish across industries.
How To Prepare For An AI-First World
Ultimately, preparing for an AI-first world isn’t just about technological imperativeness—it’s a cultural shift. Organizations should prioritize upskilling their workforce and investing in education and training programs that cater to both technical and nontechnical professionals.
As we stand at the precipice of an AI-first world, the onus is on us to prepare for the transformative journey that lies ahead. Navigating this AI landscape requires strategic foresight, ethical considerations and a commitment to inclusivity.
