Generative AI (genAI) for visual content, genAI for language, TuringBots, and IoT security are the top emerging technologies that will deliver the most immediate ROI for businesses in 2024 and beyond, according to Forrester's The Top 10 Emerging Technologies In 2024 report.
Beneficial within the next two years
Emerging technologies that will be beneficial in the next two years include GenAI for visual content or advanced machine learning models that generate images or video from text, audio, or video prompts, GenAI for language that aid in customer support and content creation, TuringBots, that help developers build applications that deliver more than just code generation, and IoT security.
Midterm to long-term emerging technologies
Midterm emerging technologies that will deliver benefits in the next two to five years include AI agents, autonomous mobility, edge intelligence, and quantum security.
Emerging technologies that will take at least five more years to deliver tangible value for most firms and use cases include Extended reality (XR) and Zero Trust edge (ZTE).
Quantifying benefits
"Tech leaders must be able to identify the right use cases and quantify potential benefits, costs, and risks across multiple horizons," says Brian Hopkins, Forrester VP of emerging tech portfolio. "They need to spread investments out, with shorter-term technologies delivering quick returns and longer-term bets requiring more effort, more foundational investment, and the capacity to manage more risk."
