Cloud, metaverse and AI are the driving technologies for the next decade: Accenture

The cloud, metaverse and AI will be the three defining technology trends over the next decade according to a new report from Accenture.

Accenture Technology Vision 2023 explored the technology trends underpinning the convergence of the physical and digital.

Matt Coates, technology lead at Accenture said the cloud, metaverse and AI will collectively collapse the distance between the digital and physical worlds.

He said, “While generative AI will have far-reaching impact, leaders must dive in now to achieve its full promise, as it will require significant investments in data, people, and customising foundation models to meet organisations’ unique needs.”

The meteoric rise of ChatGPT has captivated the world’s attention to the power of generative AI to augment human capability.

Accenture estimates as much as 40 percent of all working hours will be supported or augmented by language-based AI. Among business leaders, 98 percent of respondents agree AI foundation models will play an important role in their organisation’s strategies over the next three to five years.

The report noted that generative AI is advancing human capability as a co-pilot, creative partner or advisor, nearly all executives agree that generative AI will spark significant creativity and innovation (98 percent) and usher in a new era of enterprise intelligence (95 percent).

However, AI cannot reach its full potential until companies figure out data. That means breaking down data silos and modernising their data foundations. In fact, 90 percent of executives believe data is becoming a key competitive differentiator within organisations and across industries.

Digital identity is growing in popularity, the ability to authenticate digital users and assets—the foundation for traversing digital and physical worlds—is now seen by 85 percent of executives as a strategic business imperative, not just a technical issue.

The feedback loop between science and technology is getting faster, with each accelerating the advancement of the other, in ways that 75 percent of respondents believe could begin to unlock the world’s grand challenges.

Julie Sweet, CEO at Accenture said, “The goal is not incremental improvement, but a step change towards total reinvention. Not everyone may be ready for this change, but leaders must prepare now for the future where the movement between worlds is seamless and often simultaneous.”