2024 technology predictions around AI, blockchain and Mojo

By 2024, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, anti-competitive behaviour, and the new programming language Mojo will undoubtedly make headlines.

2024 technology predictions around AI, blockchain and Mojo

Despite a few significant events along the way, 2023 was overall a net win for the technology scene. At OpenAI, Sam Altman held the position of CEO for a while before resuming it. The cryptocurrency supernova Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty of a number of dubious activities at the now-bankrupt exchange FTX. Microsoft's stock shot up from $220 per share at the beginning of 2023 to over $376 by the conclusion of the year, making it a dependable indicator of the overall health of the IT industry.

It's time to look ahead to 2024, so here are five technological forecasts we believe will happen in that year:

• Artificial intelligence: Without a developer's help, AI will be able to rewrite and repair code that is kept in repositories.

• Mojo: Enterprise developers will start using the Mojo programming language as an alternative to Python, especially for AI and machine learning applications.

• Blockchain: Blockchain technology will become more widely used in sectors other than bitcoin.

• IDEs for the cloud: Corporate developers will use a large number of browser-based integrated development environments (IDEs) in their work.

• Large Tech: A portion of Big Tech will be divided.

1. AI gets smarter, more accurate to meet the needs of programmers

Anticipate more advancements in AI tools for debugging, code testing, and technology adaptation by 2024.

Products with artificial intelligence, such GitHub's Copilot, Google's Bard, and ChatGPT, have simplified programmers' daily tasks. For instance, developers may learn how to complete specific programming jobs that they may have forgotten how to do by using ChatGPT and Bard.

These AI techniques still have a ways to go, though. For instance, when given just a URL to the code in the GitHub repository, ChatGPT is now unable to identify the root cause of basic issues. (I made an attempt.) It's also challenging to employ AI for code testing in complex use scenarios. Simply put, there is too much reliance on domain-specific expertise.

Furthermore, Bard and ChatGPT both struggle to stay up to date with emerging technology. An AI's responses can occasionally be inaccurate since it is limited to knowledge of earlier iterations of a technology. To ensure that the recommendations and ideas generated by AI are accurate, developers must still verify them.

Nevertheless, AI of today is not the same as AI of future. AI tools are becoming remarkably intelligent very quickly. AI's scope of knowledge will expand when more developers begin to use it in their daily work and fix errors caused by AI. AI's strength will grow as a result of developer input and the technology's continued development.

By the end of 2024, at the very least, AI programmes like ChatGPT, Bard, and Copilot should be able to automatically optimise and correct code in GitHub projects. Additionally, there's a strong likelihood that AI will acquire the knowledge necessary to design trustworthy tests for intricate use cases.

2. Python developers accelerate the adoption of Mojo

A newly created programming language called Mojo, which aims to combine the greatest aspects of Python and Java, will take over in 2024.

When it comes to machine learning, speed is crucial for both operational needs and a company's competitive edge. Nobody wants to wait around for artificial intelligence to determine the answer to a user's urgent query.

Low-level languages are essential for speed in the machine learning field. Because compiled code runs more quickly than interpreted code, machine learning applications have benefited greatly from the widespread use of languages like C, C++, Go, and Rust. Even though interpreted languages take longer to process, they are useful, especially for use cases that involve data science and analytics.

Python is most likely the most used language in this context. Nevertheless, Python is slower than its compiled rivals since it is an interpreted language.

Luckily, a solution exists that allows Pythonic code to be used with compiled languages. The technology is called Mojo, and it comes from Modular. Chris Lattner, a former senior director of Google's TensorFlow infrastructure, is the man behind it.

Similar to how TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript, Mojo is an emerging programming language that aims to be a superset of Python. In addition to adding features like memory management, strict typing, and the ability to arrange compilation according to a specific hardware target, Mojo supports the Pythonic syntax and makes it simple to write and run Python programmes. As a result, Mojo code can be written by developers 64,000 times faster than Python code, according to certain reports.

The community is expanding, the needs are present, and the advantages are difficult to overlook. In 2024, an increasing number of developers should be improving their Mojo talents to satisfy the growing need for the skill set from businesses.

3. Blockchain moves beyond cryptocurrency into mainstream use

Many sectors will discover by 2024 that blockchain technology is capable of far more than merely facilitating NFT and currency speculation.

Initially powering Bitcoin, blockchain later served as the basis for other cryptocurrencies including Ethereum, Avalanche, and Solana. In the beginning, it was difficult for people to use bitcoins to make regular purchases. Using Bitcoin to purchase a pastry and coffee was challenging.

On a cryptocurrency exchange, the cryptocurrencies can be exchanged for fiat money like US dollars. Many individuals purchased cryptocurrencies as short-term investment vehicles while their value fluctuated in relation to fiat currencies. Blockchain thus began to be associated with bitcoin speculation.

But to suggest that blockchain exists just for the purpose of creating cryptocurrencies would be like saying that a printing press exists only for the purpose of printing money. Just as a printing press can do much more, so too can blockchain.

Blockchain is a decentralised, consensus-driven system that stores data across numerous computers in an immutable, uniform manner. Data cannot be altered once it is recorded on the blockchain. Furthermore, the data on the blockchain does not originate from a single source of truth—a computer. In a blockchain network, a large number of computers maintain the same data and can continue to function even if one computer fails. These networks may be private or public, based on the particular blockchain network. However, blockchain networks are simple to audit in either case.

This is one of the many reasons why blockchain technology is interesting.

Blockchain technology's peer-to-peer, immutable characteristics make it ideal for a range of scenarios where transparency is crucial, including public authentication verification and governmental processes. Here are few instances:

• In order simplify title auditing and title transfer, automotive startup Cario is collaborating with state-level motor vehicle bureaus in the United States to place all motor vehicle titles on the blockchain.

• In order to lower the possibility of visual misinformation, camera maker Canon has developed a methodology that embeds verification data in digital images taken with specific Canon cameras and stores that data on the blockchain immutably. The collaboration between the academic research project Starling Lab and news organisation Reuters resulted in this methodology.

• Chain of supply is an additional excellent illustration of blockchain. While Golden State Foods utilises IBM Food Trust technology to keep an eye on food freshness, The Home Depot uses IBM blockchain technology to manage inventory. Additionally, Walmart Canada manages freight invoices with an application built on blockchain.

Blockchain technology is now more than just a fresh concept for bitcoin speculation. It's quickly integrating into the mainstream of technology.

4. Online IDE take the stage

Developers will begin using browser-based development environments (IDEs) in 2024, moving away from standalone desktop IDEs.

This has already taken place. With Visual Studio Code for the Web, developers may launch a copy of VS Code in a web browser. Remix is an IDE that runs in the browser and is used to design smart contacts for the Ethereum Virtual Machine using the Solidity programming language. Developers can use the browser-based Solana Playground IDE to write smart contracts for the Solana blockchain. Developers can code in multiple languages, including Java, PHP, C, C++, Golang, and Bash, among others, using an Online-IDE tool.

These IDEs for the cloud are strong. A lot of them let developers work with code that is kept on GitHub. Some, like Remix, interface with ChatGPT to give developers AI-powered debugging assistance.

Developer usage of browser-based IDEs will grow in tandem with their power. Developers can become more productive more quickly with browser-based IDEs. A novice developer can access the code in an online repository like GitHub or Bitbucket by opening the IDE in a browser, saving them the time and effort of installing and configuring the IDE on their computer over the course of a day. If a developer's computer crashes, all they need to do to restart it is purchase a new computer that already has a browser loaded on it. Programming may frequently be done with just a Chromebook or tablet with an associated keyboard and mouse.

There's no denying the advantages. We believe that online IDEs will take off around 2024.

5. Federal Trade Commission gets serious about Google, Amazon, Meta

Breakups are not out of the question, and in 2024 Big Tech will probably be under the scrutiny of government authorities and industry monitors.

In the past, such interventions have not happened often. The United States Department of Justice divided the once-dominant Bell Telephone, which was renamed as AT&T in 1984, into smaller "Baby Bells." For more than a century, AT&T held monopolistic dominance over telephone service in the United States.

In 2000, after nearly two decades, Microsoft was mandated by the US government to divide its business applications and operating systems into two distinct businesses. At the time, Windows was the operating system used on the vast majority of computers, both at home and in businesses. Even though the decision was eventually overturned, government officials have continued to keep a close check on the business in case any dubious trading practices are detected.

Business and government both were deeply concerned about antitrust behaviour in 2023.

Due to Google Play's essentially monopolistic control over game distribution, Epic Games launched a lawsuit against Google, claiming that Google's portion of game sales through Google's Play Store was unjust. Although the jury found in Epic Games' favour, the amount of the award is still pending. (Apple has agreed to allow third-party direct payments for apps sold in the App Store, but would levy a Big commission to do so. Epic filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2020 with similar claims, but the lawsuit was unsuccessful.)

In meanwhile, Amazon is being sued by the federal government of the United States and seventeen states in a monopolistic action. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon favours its own services and platform over those of other companies that offer products and services on Amazon. Amazon is where almost 40% of all online shoppers shop, according to several studies. Although that volume might not be regarded as a complete monopoly, it is noteworthy enough to draw the interest of numerous government organisations.

Even though these lawsuits have had a mixed record of success, it is evident that Big Tech corporations control a sizable portion of their respective markets and that their actions are closely observed. Amazon's expansion into delivery services raises the possibility that rivals like UPS and FedEx could file a lawsuit against it if it decides to enter the general delivery market and move goods that aren't listed on its website. Alternatively, if Meta or X (previously known as Twitter) makes an attempt to purchase a telecom business like T-Mobile, the FTC may bring legal action.

In summary, there's no reason to believe that Big Tech companies will stop seeking to dominate their industries in 2024; rather, they will continue to do so. There will be attempts by a number of corporate and governmental entities to thwart those initiatives, perhaps even by splitting apart into smaller, independent companies.

These are the five technological forecasts that we believe will materialise by 2024.

Check us near the year's end of 2024 to discover how well our forecasts performed. Till then, everyone have a nice new year, peace on Earth, and kindness towards all.

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