- ASCENDION: Chetana Tailor, Manager, Data and AI Engineering, Ascendion
Tech Trends and outlook (2024): Automation and robotics:
Automation and Robotics have undeniably redefined industries, paving the way for unparalleled efficiency and innovation. The amalgamation of artificial intelligence and robotics has unleashed a transformative era across sectors, streamlining processes, and augmenting human capabilities.
In manufacturing, robots have revolutionized production lines, ensuring precision, speed, and safety. Automation in logistics has optimized supply chains, enhancing distribution and delivery networks. Meanwhile, in healthcare, robotic-assisted surgeries and AI-powered diagnostics have elevated treatment accuracy and patient care.
The synergy of automation and robotics isn’t solely confined to traditional industries. In agriculture, autonomous drones and smart machinery have optimized farming practices, from crop monitoring to harvesting, ensuring higher yields and sustainable practices.
However, this rapid technological evolution poses multifaceted challenges. Concerns loom over job displacement as routine tasks become automated. Ethical dilemmas arise, demanding meticulous regulation in AI decision-making processes. Additionally, cybersecurity threats amplify as automation penetrates critical infrastructures.
In 2024, Automation and Robotics are poised for exponential growth. Collaborative efforts between humans and machines will redefine work paradigms, emphasizing upskilling for roles that necessitate human creativity and critical thinking.
As this revolution unfolds, responsible innovation, ethical considerations, and equitable access to technology will be pivotal in harnessing the full potential of Automation and Robotics for a prosperous future.
- EQUINIX INDIA: Manoj Paul, Managing Director, Equinix India
Tech Trends and outlook (2024): Sustainability Innovations:
At Equinix, balancing digital expansion with environmental sustainability is underscored by our unwavering commitment to climate neutrality by 2030, evident in technological and social accomplishments. While on one hand, we received 100% of renewables coverage in India, we are taking strides to reduce energy consumption. Utilizing AI for enhanced energy efficiency, adequate temperature controls, and embracing renewable energy sources are pivotal steps in our journey toward climate neutrality. The strategic deployment of these technologies exemplifies our dedication to minimizing the environmental impact of our digital footprint.
The pace of adoption of Hybrid Multicloud will increase. While the past focused on initial cloud migration, today’s enterprises exhibit a more nuanced approach. Many continue their migration journey, transitioning from single clouds to multi-cloud environments. Simultaneously, those with established cloud experience are discerning which applications to prioritize on the cloud and which benefit from remaining on-premises, adapting their cloud deployment as their business matures and predictability increases.
In the approaching year, efficiency remains a critical metric for innovation and sustainability. As we usher in 2024, we eagerly anticipate fostering collaboration and support from our partners and customers in unlocking opportunities and achievements. This year promises to be remarkable, marked by a synergy of collaboration and innovation, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable, and interconnected world. Equinix is uniquely positioned to support this dynamic phase of enterprise digital transformation, by enabling dedicated and secured multicloud access along with cloud adjacent on premise colocation. Our steadfast commitment to balancing growth with environmental responsibility positions us to navigate the evolving landscape with resilience and purpose. Cheers to a transformative 2024, where collective efforts drive meaningful progress towards a sustainable future.
- TATA ELXSI: Utkarsh Biradar, Chief Designer, Industrial Design and Visualisation, Tata Elxsi
Tech Trends and outlook (2024): Phygital Convergence:
In the rapidly evolving landscape of our digital age, we find the physical world converging seamlessly with the virtual one, giving rise to the phenomenon commonly referred to as “phygital convergence.” Phygital Convergence enhances user engagement by building a deeper connection with physical and digital environments. It allows individuals to define their reality, blurring the boundaries between both worlds. As this convergence continues to evolve, it promises to reshape shopping, entertainment, learning, work, and communication.
2024 is expected to witness a spike in phygital convergence, and the impact on industries will be significant. When it comes to manufacturing and Industry 4.0, phygital convergence will help in the increased use of digital twins for real-time monitoring and optimisation of manufacturing processes. Likewise, the healthcare sector is embracing phygital convergence, evident in the proliferation of remote monitoring solutions, wearable devices, and a host of other innovations. On the automotive front, brace yourself for a surge in connected and autonomous vehicles, elevated in-car entertainment experiences, cutting-edge smart traffic navigation systems, and a cascade of transformative technological advancements.
However, it is essential to acknowledge that the era of phygital convergence brings forth a spectrum of intricate challenges, especially relating to data privacy and security. Protecting personal data from misuse and unauthorized access requires collaborative efforts from individuals, businesses, and regulators. Technologies like facial recognition and location tracking implicitly raise ethical dilemmas, emphasising the importance of balancing innovation with responsible practices.
Nonetheless, these challenges should serve as catalysts for innovation and progress. By embracing a user centric-approach characterised by meticulous planning and an unwavering commitment to responsible use of technology, we can navigate these complexities and pave the way for a brighter, more interconnected future.
- WHATFIX: Vara Kumar Namburu, Co-Founder and CTO, Whatfix
Tech Trends and outlook (2024): HR Tech Advances
“AI has been around for a while. The advent of Gen-AI brought it to the fore, presenting the potential to carve the next decade of innovation for the world. Gartner predicts that 80% of enterprises will have deployed generative AI-enabled applications by 2026. Today we are only scratching the surface by providing abilities to read documents, provide summaries etc. In its full bloom, gen-AI will enhance productivity in every part of the business. For all of this to become a reality, the Quality of generative AI has to get to production-grade, costs have to come down, and performance has to improve.
With the employee experience (EX) being added to the CIO’s charter alongside CX, the HR tech awaits a revolution. DX tools like digital adoption platforms (DAPs), with intuitive guidance in the flow of work, will drive the change in how employees engage with digital tools. The amalgamation of AI with the innovation concept of userization —making technology user-savvy, and unburdening the employees to become tech-savvy— is key in aligning with the broader shift of technology from cohorts to unique-user needs.
All the innovation will still need analytics to elevate the product and EX as well as CX by deciphering unique user behavior and feedback, providing strategic insights for informed decision-making. Embracing these tech shifts necessitates addressing the human side, emphasizing upskilling to navigate the digital age. Security-wise, 2024 demands vigilant measures against evolving cyber threats, with AI-driven detection and stringent data privacy practices at the forefront.
At Whatfix the union of userization and AI revolutionizes user experiences and efficiency across applications. Our human-in-the-middle approach ensures that AI complements and does not compete with humans offering businesses and IT leaders greater control. In 2024, AI and the workforce will continue to strengthen their dynamic partnership exemplifying the possibilities of responsible and inclusive technological integration, charting a future where humans and intelligent machines flourish side by side.”
