Tech

Tech Predictions 2024

Revival in Hiring:

 The post-layoff phase is witnessing a gradual increase in hiring, though not at the scale of the initial workforce reductions in the first quarter of the previous year. As we move into 2024, companies are expected to shift their focus from filling existing positions to expanding and creating new roles, especially in areas like engineering management, developer relations, and research and development.

WebAssembly’s Growing Influence:

 WebAssembly (WASM) is expected to gain more traction as infrastructure developments, particularly in LLVM and GraalVM, facilitate its seamless integration into developer toolchains. While the 1.0 specification may seem minimal, advancements in infrastructure suggest that WASM could play a deeper role within development processes. The key challenge lies in demonstrating the compelling value that WASM brings to developers compared to existing JavaScript-centric options.

Generative AI’s Diminishing Appeal:

Generative AI, once hailed as a transformative technology, is losing its luster. Instances of misinformation and inaccuracies in outputs, such as erroneous GitHub instructions and flawed legal briefs, have cast doubt on the ability of generative AIs to replace human tasks effectively. The initial hype surrounding these technologies is giving way to a more critical assessment of their limitations.

Distinguishing Between Generative AI and Large Language Models:

 A shift in focus is anticipated, with companies beginning to disambiguate between generative AI and large language models (LLMs). As disillusionment sets in, firms may distance themselves from the broader AI hype, emphasizing their role as creators of LLMs rather than all-encompassing AI entities. This distinction aims to provide a more accurate portrayal of their technological offerings.

Rise of Custom AI Models: 

Companies are expected to explore the development of custom AI models to meet their specific natural language analysis needs. While relying on large company models has its advantages, there’s a growing realization that hosting locally can offer cost savings, improved performance, and enhanced reliability. The trend is likely to shift towards developing and tuning medium or small language models locally, challenging the dominance of cloud-hosted solutions. OpenAI and other firms may counter this by releasing new models, but the decision-making process will increasingly involve a “Buy vs Build” evaluation as companies evolve and grow in their AI journey.”

Evolution of Programming Languages: 

Anticipate the emergence of novel and compelling programming languages aimed at elevating the abstraction levels in software development. The success of ChatGPT in code generation highlights the repetitive nature of coding tasks, calling for languages that can accommodate an onion-style architectural approach. Enabling both high-level abstractions and lower-level flexibility could redefine how developers approach coding challenges.

Cracks in Full-Stack Developer Facade: 

The demand for full-stack developers, often seen as a catch-all term, is expected to wane. This trend, driven by managerial convenience, is a response to the challenges of recruitment. Companies may move towards a more specialized approach, seeking professionals with specific skills, challenging the notion of an all-encompassing full-stack developer.

AR/VR Innovation and Application Beyond Gaming: 

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are poised for potential breakthroughs, especially with Meta’s ambitious ventures into the “Metaverse.” The key lies in evolving beyond gaming-centric applications. As wearables gain interest, 2024 might witness innovations in user interfaces and experiences, determining whether AR/VR becomes a transformative technology or remains relegated to niche gaming markets.

Rise of Car Apps: 

With more vehicles incorporating built-in computers, there’s an untapped market for car-specific applications beyond the basics like maps and entertainment. The growing user base presents an opportunity for developers to create apps catering to drivers’ needs, potentially including CRM tools for certain professionals. User interaction, particularly through voice control, will play a crucial role in shaping this emerging trend.

Kotlin’s Android-Only Status: 

Kotlin, initially recognized as an Android-centric language, faces uncertainty in breaking out of this confinement. While efforts like Kotlin Multiplatform and Kotlin Native aim to expand its usage, the success depends on developers’ willingness to adopt Kotlin in contexts beyond Android development. The challenge lies in convincing the development community to embrace Kotlin in diverse scenarios.

Feature Proliferation in C# and Java: 

Established languages like C# and Java continue to accumulate features, potentially reaching a point of diminishing returns. Despite their age, each release introduces new syntax and ideas, contributing to language complexity. The industry might benefit from exploring alternative languages such as F#, Clojure, Kotlin, or revisiting classics like Smalltalk, Self, LISP, and Scheme for simplicity and innovation.

Crypto and Blockchain Challenges:

Cryptocurrency’s dwindling faith, especially among mainstream investors, coupled with ongoing blockchain struggles to find compelling use cases, could lead to further setbacks. While some may try to sustain the hype, 2024 is predicted to mark a decline in serious attention to crypto and blockchain technologies in the tech press.

Surge in Phishing Attacks:

AI-powered generative tools, including natural language models like ChatGPT, are expected to fuel a surge in phishing attacks. The ease of creating deceptive emails aimed at extracting user credentials poses a significant security threat. Security companies might introduce AI-based tools to counter such attacks, but the evolving sophistication of generative AI could create challenges in accurately identifying and thwarting phishing attempts.

Incremental Database Improvements:

Rather than radical transformations, databases are expected to witness incremental improvements. Innovations in the database operating system (DBOS) realm, championed by figures from the Postgres community, may take time to materialize. Meanwhile, traditional relational database management systems (RDBMS) and NoSQL players will continue to integrate new features, offering developers a nuanced selection process based on specific needs.”

Read More: Exploring the Depth of Mobile App Development Ideas and Strategies

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