Forrester has unveiled its top 10 emerging technologies for 2024 led unsurprisingly by gen AI and including TuringBots and IoT security on the short-term horizon list.

The top emerging technologies predicted to deliver the fastest ROI include generative AI (genAI) for visual content, genAI for language, Turing Bots, and IoT security. GenAI for visual content involves advanced machine learning models that generate images or video from text, audio, or video prompts. GenAI for language is already delivering value in customer support and content creation and is accelerating other technologies.

Turing Bots, powered by advancements in genAI for language, are AI-powered software robots that assist developers in building applications. IoT security has also made a showing as a near-term emerging tech due to the proliferation of devices and the subsequent rise in security attacks.

Midterm emerging technologies expected to deliver benefits in the next two to five years include AI agents or workplace assistants, 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). Forrester pointed out only 8% of US online adults own a virtual-reality headset, and just 16% have used an augmented-reality device or app. ZTE technology has the potential to protect remote workers, retail outlets, and branch offices with embedded local security, but only a handful of true ZTE solutions exist today, and legacy devices add additional management complexity.

Brian Hopkins, Forrester VP, emerging tech portfolio, advised tech leaders to identify the right use cases and quantify potential benefits, costs, and risks across multiple horizons.

“Tech leaders must be able to identify the right use cases and quantify potential benefits, costs, and risks across multiple horizons,” he said. “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.”

The list is designed to assist business and technology leaders in determining when a technology will be beneficial to their firm, includes technologies of interest to the media, marketing, and advertising sectors.