The Year Ahead: Experts Predict 2024

The Year Ahead 2024 marked the beginning of the event cycle for dx5. Bringing together thought leaders, it addressed diverse topics, sharing insights on how businesses could navigate the challenges posed by emerging and fluctuating technologies.

A notable theme among the speakers was the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They emphasised the significance of leveraging AI to streamline business processes and stay ahead of the curve.

Moses Kemibaro, CEO, and Founder of Dotsavvy, asserted, “AI is going to be a transformational thing,” highlighting how Generative AI, in particular, is reshaping roles and jobs in the marketplace. He envisioned a future where people embrace AI as a transformative opportunity, in the same way the internet revolutionised our lives.

Carolyne Gathuru, Director of Strategy at Lifeskills Consulting focused on market design to enhance customer experience, stating, “Tech is going to humanise customer experience.” She emphasised the critical importance of placing the customer at the forefront, predicting a future where technology not only met but exceeded customer expectations by embracing a human-centric approach in market design. “In customer experience excellence, we need to anticipate, meet and exceed customer expectations.”

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have been all the rage from Elon Musk’s perspectives to Harvard’s practise of it. Divine Muragimana, Fractional CMO, and Strategy Consultant at SavoirFaire predicted an increased focus on DEI. “As leaders in 2024 when it comes to DEI, expect more debates, there is a lot to learn, especially when it comes to our emerging markets,” she remarked, urging leaders to embrace these discussions to foster better solutions for employees and the continent as a whole.

Naftal Nyabuto, CEO & Founder of Mzawadi Holdings LTD, predicted a surge in tech funding due to AI. He noted, “Funding levels of tech are going to go higher because of AI. Many investors are pumping money into AI, and also, a lot of startups will go into AI.”

Finally, Everlyn Kamau, Senior Commercial Territory Manager, VMware, predicted increased reliance on cross-border interaction and collaboration in the form of mergers and acquisitions. She noted, “There will be a lot of reliance on cross-border interaction and collaboration because of the tough economic times and an increase in financial sponsors due to investments and interest that arise in the tech industry.”

As we step into the future, the insights shared by these experts serve as a compass, guiding us through the dynamic landscape of technological transformations, customer-centric innovations, and the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Are you ready?