We’re over halfway through 2023, and it’s shaping up to be a great year for technology. Not only have established technologies such as the cloud and the internet of things advanced to new levels, but emerging technologies such as AI are fundamentally changing the way businesses in all industries operate. This year has been particularly transformative for infrastructure, with key trends significantly shaping its evolution. Without further ado, let’s delve into the key trends impacting infrastructure this year.
AI
AI has been beyond transformative over the last year, ever since OpenAI released its generative AI tool, ChatGPT, and Google released its own tool, Bard. AI is one of the most (if not the most) revolutionary technologies in existence today. But it’s important to note that it is still in its early stages. The components that form AI, the individual training models, are continually being further developed to provide real business value. These training models' success is largely dependent on quality data, high computing performance and efficient power consumption. The successful AI solutions that will emerge will be successful because of these factors.
So, how is it affecting infrastructure? AI allows for the automation of a wide range of infrastructure tasks, reducing human intervention and allowing more time to be spent on higher-level tasks. For example, AI and automation are reported to take up between 10 and 25 per cent of banking tasks today. But that’s not all—it also allows for predictive maintenance, foreseeing when infrastructure is likely to experience issues, which enables timely fixes to reduce downtime and loss of revenue. A report from McKinsey & Company revealed that manufacturing predictive maintenance reduced machine downtime by 30 to 50 per cent and increased machine life by 20 to 40 per cent.
The Cloud
While the cloud has been around for quite some time, it has firmly established itself as well and truly mainstream. Google found that the cloud has received extra attention over the past year as IT leaders are looking to use the cloud to prepare for future macroeconomic uncertainty. The cloud is transforming business operations by providing scalable, flexible solutions at an affordable price.
The cloud introduced a revolutionary level of instant scalability by enabling businesses to transform their operations according to customer demand without significant investment in physical hardware. This scalability allowed businesses to adopt an agile approach, responding to market changes rapidly without having to overcommit resources.
The Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is another technology that is doing more than holding its ground; it’s advancing rapidly. IoT will change how future data centres are designed and managed. This transformation is not only about handling a massive influx of data but also a strategic approach that integrates IoT seamlessly into infrastructure.
Strategic planning is paramount to making the most of IoT this year and beyond. Companies should work with IoT architects to align data centre design and management with the unique demands of IoT. This alignment is further enhanced by the integration of edge computing, which reduces latency and reshapes infrastructure by processing data closer to its source. Alongside these exciting innovations, the sheer volume of connected devices demands extremely robust security measures to protect data from prying eyes.
Edge Computing
Edge computing, which involves processing data closer to the location where it is being used, is changing the infrastructure game. Gartner predicts that by 2025, three-quarters of enterprise-generated data will be processed at the edge, a rise of 10 per cent compared to 2018. So, why will businesses continue to embrace edge computing? There are several reasons. First, companies can benefit from reduced latency by processing data closer to the source. The result is faster feedback and real-time responses, which offers a more positive user experience.
But that’s not the sole benefit of edge computing. It also delivers better data security by reducing the amount of data transmitted and processed in the cloud, minimising the potential for data interception or breaches that could destroy businesses’ finances and reputations. Edge computing has gained significant traction in recent years, but only time will tell how else it will influence infrastructure in the future.
New IT Roles
The ever-evolving nature of IT infrastructure has created several new roles. For example, IT cloud brokers will monitor, manage and optimise cloud services to ensure everything runs smoothly. Additionally, more IoT architect roles will pop up. But the role goes beyond simply understanding the technical aspects of IoT. Instead, it’s about properly integrating IoT systems with the existing infrastructure. The dynamic nature of today’s IT landscape requires the creation of specialised roles to ensure changes to infrastructure are in capable hands.
Applied Observability
Applied observability has emerged as a key infrastructure trend this year. But it’s not just a single technology or defined market, as it spans many business functions. It’s about much more than just monitoring—it revolves around developing a deep understanding of complex systems backed by evidence. By applying observability systematically, businesses can increase their response speed and optimise business operations in the process. According to Gartner, by 2026, 70 per cent of organisations successfully applying observability will achieve shorter latency for decision-making.
In Summary: 2023 Infrastructure Trends
2023 has been a standout year for innovative technological developments. The release and subsequent advancement of AI tools such as ChatGPT and Bard sent a clear message to businesses—embrace AI or risk losing out to forward-thinking competitors. Similarly, the cloud continues dominating infrastructure planning, with edge computing climbing up companies’ IT agendas. In the wake of all this change, new roles are springing up. As we reflect on this year’s top trends, it’s clear that the fusion of these technologies is allowing businesses to be more agile, efficient and prepared for whatever challenges may lie ahead.