Technology trends to look at

Which technology trends are most important for companies in 2024? New insights from the McKinsey Technology Council highlight the adoption, development, and industry impacts of advanced technologies.

Despite challenging overall market conditions in 2023, continued investments in frontier technologies promise substantial future growth in enterprise adoption.

Generative AI (gen AI) has been a standout trend since 2022, with a significant increase in interest and investment unlocking innovative possibilities across interconnected trends such as robotics and immersive reality. Although the macroeconomic environment with elevated interest rates has affected equity capital investment and hiring, underlying indicators—including optimism, innovation, and longer-term talent needs—reflect a positive long-term trajectory in the 15 technology trends analyzed. These are among the findings in the latest McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook, where the McKinsey Technology Council identified the most significant technology trends today.

This research helps executives plan by understanding potential use cases, sources of value, adoption drivers, and the critical skills needed to bring these opportunities to fruition. The analysis examines quantitative measures of interest, innovation, investment, and talent to gauge the momentum of each trend. Recognizing the long-term nature and interdependence of these trends, it delves into the underlying technologies, uncertainties, and questions surrounding each trend. Progress in Enterprise Technology Adoption Two trends stood out in 2023: gen AI and electrification and renewables.