IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Emerging Technologies 2024 Predictions
This IDC study provides IDC's 2024 top 10 predictions for critical emerging technologies that IT leaders will need to start preparing now to succeed as digital businesses in the next four years. "In a year of great technology ferment, CIOs and CTOs must focus on critical emerging technologies that protect them from future risks and provide a foundation for running a digital business in the era of AI everywhere," says Rick Villars, group vice president, Worldwide Research at IDC. "Technologies deserving special attention include post-quantum cryptography that risks being significantly underappreciated in the current focus on GenAI as well as bellwether data, infrastructure, silicon packaging, and 'code delivery to the edge' platforms."
Please Note: Extended description available upon request.
- IDC FutureScape Figure
- Executive Summary
- IDC FUTURESCAPE PREDICTIONS
- Summary of External Drivers
- Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers
- Prediction 1: By 2026, 50% of Organizations Will Be Exposed to Data Breaches Because of the Lack of Investments in Post-Quantum Cryptography
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 2: In 2025, Only 25% of Enterprises Will Use Retrieval-Augmented Generation to Take GenAI Beyond Personal Productivity and Power Business Processes Transformation, Enabling 30% Faster Growth in Revenue
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 3: By 2027, 35% of G2000 Can Use Knowledge Graphs, Extending Beyond Vectors, to Extract Value and Semantic Understanding with GenAI-Based LLMs, Delivering 2x Enhancements in Business Outcomes
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 4: By 2026, 30% of Organizations Will Use Server-Side Wasm Within Their Application Delivery Chain, Achieving Key Improvements in Code Reusability, Security, and Time to Market
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 5: By 2027, 40% of Enterprises Will Deploy GenAI Network Fabrics to Enable Cost- and Performance-Optimized Support for GenAI Workloads in Their Own Datacenters
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 6: By 2028, Due to Growing Power Scarcity and Rising Sustainability Mandates, 60% of Datacenters Will Adopt Fit-for-Purpose Solutions Such as Microgrids, Custom Silicon, Liquid Cooling, and Ruggedization
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 7: In Late 2025, Availability of Silicon AI Accelerators in IT (PCs, Phones, Tablets) and OT (Smart Embedded Systems) Makes It Possible for Enterprises to Double Their Rate of Process Automation
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 8: By 2028, 80% of Enterprises Will Integrate Low Earth Orbit Satellite Connectivity, Creating a Unified Digital Service Fabric That Ensures Resilient Ubiquitous Access and Guarantees Data Fluidity
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 9: By 2027, 85% of the G2000 Will Rely on Cloud Providers and Connectivity Partners for Zero-Touch Provisioning and Zero Trust Security at the Edge, Reducing the Burden on IT Staff by 2x
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Prediction 10: By 2027, Engineering Services Will Become Mainstream as 80% of G2000 Will Leverage Their Services Partners to Get Products to Market Faster, Increase CSAT, and Modernize Operations
- Associated Drivers
- IT Impact
- Guidance
- Advice for Technology Buyers
- External Drivers: Detail
- AI Everywhere — Generative AI Takes the Spotlight
- The Drive to Automate — Maximizing Efficiency and New Opportunities
- Geopolitical Turbulence — Sovereignty Under Emerging Fragmentation
- Cybersecurity and Risk — Building Resilience Against Multiplying Threats
- The Digital Business Imperative — Competitiveness and Outcomes
- Everything as a Service Intensifies — Transforming Models to Drive Change
- Dynamic Work and Skills Requirements — New Work Mode Era
- Shifting Tech Regulatory Landscape — Navigating Risk and Opportunity
- Operationalization of ESG — Measuring and Implementing Sustainability
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- Related Research
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