Technologies to look for in 2024

Over a year has passed since we ventured into predicting the technologies that might be of interest in 2023. While our foresight may not have been spot on (you be the judge), the exercise proved to be quite fun. So, here we are again, inviting you to sit back, relax, and delve into our non-exhaustive list of the top 5 technologies, or trends if you will, that we recommend keeping an eye on in 2024.

1. Tooling

Regardless of your current framework, library, or programming language, we anticipate changes in developer tooling and the overall developer experience in the coming year. As Large Language Models (LLMs) mature, their use cases become increasingly apparent.

With robust open-source alternatives to GPT, creators of libraries like Svelte or frameworks such as SvelteKit can (and will) leverage these models to craft custom tooling, paving the way for more efficient and streamlined development processes.

2. Sustainable Software Engineering

An intriguing fusion of climate science and software development, Sustainable Software Engineering emerges as a discipline encouraging widespread contribution to sustainability. The idea is that everyone should contribute to sustainability: a shift away from relying solely on major players to achieve carbon net neutrality goals is gaining momentum. There are several skills to learn in the field of sustainable software engineering that can have a significant impact on your career in years to come.

3. Generalization Over Specialisation

Love it or hate it, the era of fullstack development is here to stay, and the shift toward a generalisation over specialisation mindset is unmistakable. As perceived productivity gains importance (think about the 10x developer mindset) and budgets become more scrutinised, clients seek versatile professionals capable of approaching their engineering needs from multiple angles.

This transition is evident for example in web and mobile development. Web or mobile developers are expected to set up CI/CD pipelines and deployments as well as transition seamlessly between the presentation layer and business logic.

However, the combination of complementary skills is broadening beyond the fullstack web/mobile development. AI and general changes in tooling make this transition more natural: think about how easily you may ask CoPilot how to add a test library to your codebase and have those tests run in CI, compared to having to search these same things on google.

4. AI-Driven Cybersecurity

In an era where AI breakthroughs present both challenges and opportunities, cybersecurity becomes paramount. From content moderation to more severe and targeted attacks on company networks, the demand for cybersecurity professionals, aided ironically by AI, is on the rise. The ability to spot the difference between genuine and generated content or block sophisticated AI-driven attacks is becoming a critical skill set.

5. Ethical Considerations in AI

Is it okay to use images of people that do not actually exist using your product or service in your marketing material? Can you sell a product that uses art that no human has drawn directly, but that was influenced by a particular style? The surge in AI capabilities evokes ethical questions that companies must grapple with.

From the use of synthetic content in marketing to interactions with non-human customer service agents, ethical considerations are increasingly important. As AI's availability and capabilities increase, companies must navigate the ethical landscape with diligence.

Bonus: Understanding Data

In the contemporary corporate landscape, everyone, regardless of their role, has a vested interest in understanding data relevant to their company's operations. While not a replacement for a Data Scientist, this foundational understanding is crucial.

Revisiting the trends of 2023

In addition to our top 5, it's worth revisiting the topics of Quantum Computing, Blockchain, and XR, which we highlighted in our 2023 predictions (you can read more about these specifically here). Advancements in these areas did continue throughout last year, maintaining their relevance and importance as we transition into 2024.

Exciting times lie ahead in the tech realm. What are your thoughts on our list? Is there something that particularly excites you, or did we overlook a key trend? Let us know. Meanwhile, explore our monthly Thriv Times newsletter for updates on how these predictions unfold throughout the year. You can join the mailing list through the talent page on our website.

Wishing you a happy 2024 filled with exciting learning and coding adventures!