Top 10 Digital Transformation Trends for 2024

$943.97 billion—that’s the global digital transformation market size for 2023 as calculated by Precedence Research. With the rapid advancement of new technologies such as cloud computing and AI, keeping up to date with the latest digital transformation trends reshaping 2024 and beyond has never been more important for businesses. 

Here they are, in no particular order: the top 10 digital transformation trends for 2024. 

1. AI and machine learning adoption accelerates

AI adoption rates increased by 72% in 2024, with 47% of high-performing business leaders actively incorporating the tech into their companies’ processes.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has proven to be a clear favorite for many professionals using AI: The platform has 200 million users worldwide and currently holds over a 69% share of the AI tools market. 

While OpenAI’s growth is unlikely to slow—especially after Microsoft elected to extend its multi-year, multibillion dollar investment into the company—there are new AI tools hitting the market every month.

And these new AI platforms aren’t all limited to text or conversational chats. AI text-to-image generators such as Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and DALL-E 2 allow users without a background in tech or art to create their own AI art. Even programmers are getting in on the AI-act; GitHub Copilot, an AI-pair programmer, integrates directly with coding editors to suggest functional code as you program. 

Many of the digital transformation trends on this list are really about AI. 22% of Americans say they interact with AI every day, and more than 40% of leaders surveyed by Upwork agree they’ll hire more professionals as a result of the technology. As a result, 2024 is shaping up to be the year that AI and machine learning become fully mainstream.

The skills you need

Are you a developer looking for a way to take advantage of the AI revolution? Skills like machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch are a great place to start. 

Not a developer, but looking for top independent talent to help you build your own AI-powered apps? From AI engineers to machine learning experts, you can find the talent you need on Upwork to develop your own machine learning algorithms. 

2. Big data is becoming bigger, faster, and multidimensional 

180 zettabytes—that’s the total volume of data and information Statista predicts will be created, captured, copied, and consumed worldwide by 2025. For context, you’d have to purchase 180 million top-of-the line iPhone 16 Pro Max devices in order to amass this amount of storage space yourself. 

Experts estimate that 80% of big data is unstructured (large collections of files, raw sensor data, and multimedia).That means a lot of work needs to be done before this data can be put to use—and we need a lot of digital room in which to store it.

In 2024, digital transformation in the big data industry is largely a story of better organization and consolidation of the multiple disparate data silos and pipelines that make up an IT environment. The modern data center looks like a unified hybrid cloud environment in which on-premises, private cloud, public cloud, and edge environments are seamlessly integrated via a networked architecture of data services called a data fabric.

A data fabric gives organizations full access, visibility, and control over their data, without compromising security. That increased data mobility, monitoring, and accessibility makes it easier to leverage AI analytics solutions to extract valuable insights for your business. 

The skills you need

Managing the collective data gravity that has to be contended with in 2024 isn’t easy. Fortunately, proficiency with the following tools will help you unlock the hidden potential within your big data: 

• Big data analytics platforms such as Spark, Apache, and Hadoop
• NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Cassandra
• Cloud services such as Azure and AWS
• Data integration tools for IBM, Oracle, Informatica, Microsoft, SAP, and Talend
• Hybrid cloud infrastructure

The talent you need

Looking for top independent talent to help you modernize your data analytics pipeline? From data scientists to business intelligence professionals, the freelance professionals you need to extract valuable insights from your data are on Upwork.

3. The rise of low code and no code platforms 

You can benefit from technological advances without knowing how to code, too, thanks to an increase in low code, no code, and AI-assisted platforms. 

These tools allow you to interact with a visual or conversational interface to create a fully functional end product. Some platforms allow you to build a chatbot or website while clicking and dragging elements on your screen, while others support full digital process automation (DPA) to set up complex workflows.

Forrester estimates that the low code and DPA market will reach a value of $30 billion by 2028, indicating that these tools are here to stay. 

The skills you need

If you’re interested in supporting clients in effectively implementing no- or low-code tools in their operations, consider familiarizing yourself with:

• Airtable
• Zapier
• Microsoft Power Apps
• OutSystems

While these tools do make web development and DevOps automation easier without extensive (or any) coding, knowing web development fundamentals and understanding how APIs work will enable you to better help your clients troubleshoot any unexpected results. 

The talent you need

No code doesn’t always mean easy. If you need help effectively implementing a no-code solution, you can find Airtable pros, automation engineers, and Webflow developers all in one place.

4. Embracing the cloud with everything as a service

Companies switching from one-time-purchases to subscriptions has been a big factor in digital transformation for years now—and that holds true in 2024. There’s a reason Fortune Business Insights predicts the “everything as a service” (XaaS) market will grow to $3,221.96 billion by 2029.

The XaaS model gives providers and consumers alike both operational flexibility and predictability. From software as a service (SaaS) apps to the infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) systems that support them, today's consumers really can enjoy almost everything as a service.

One notable area of growth is the desktop as a service (DaaS) market. DaaS tools support fully remote desktop environments, complete with software, files, and user permissions. It’s a key piece of software for effective remote work in many organizations, which explains why this particular cloud service is growing rapidly—with an expected market volume of $9.88 billion by 2029.

The skills you need

For developers looking to get into cloud computing, the fundamentals include:

• Cloud services such as Google, IBM, Oracle, and AWS
• Programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, and Python
• Database fundamentals including SQL and NoSQL 
• API development
• Network management for cloud environments

‍The talent you need

Looking for top independent talent to build your own XaaS apps? From software developers to cloud computing specialists, the professionals you need to deliver cloud agility to your customers are on Upwork.

5. Containerization is key to building cloud-native apps

Containerization and virtualization (aka virtual machines) are both important parts of the cloud technology that supports XaaS. But while the virtual machine ecosystem is largely mature, approaches to containerization continue to evolve. 

And for good reason! Containerization is the key to building cloud-native apps. It allows you to bundle software code alongside all its dependencies into a single container image that can be run on any environment. 

IT research firm Omdia found that today’s containerization market is now worth $6.3 billion and has two parts: container-as-a-service (CaaS) options offered by large cloud providers like Amazon, as well as Kubernetes. 

Whether it’s optimizing resource expenditure to handle peak traffic loads while saving resources during periods of low demand, or gaining the ability to roll out new features and security updates through a DevOps pipeline, containers are crucial in modernizing your app infrastructure. 

And when you combine the advantages of containers with a micro services architecture, you get a cloud-native app. This means your app operates as a collection of independent microservices that can be deployed anywhere on demand. 

The skills you need

Eager to unlock the operational agility of cloud-native apps through containers? Platform engineering and modern virtualization are two important trends to stay on top of. You’ll also need to master container tools like:

• Docker
• AWS ECS
• Azure Containers
• Kubernetes
• Portworx
• Amazon EKS
• Red Hat
• OpenShift Container Platform 

The talent you need

Looking for top independent talent to help you virtualize your data center? From VMware administrators to Kubernetes developers, you can find the professionals you need to bring the wonders of hybrid cloud consolidation to your organization on Upwork.

6. The World Wide Web is evolving

July 2024 saw 5.45 billion internet users worldwide, or 67.1% of the global population. More than 95% of these internet users logged on using a mobile phone.

The internet continues to evolve in response to an increasingly mobile-first online world. Progressive web apps (PWAs) are websites that look and behave like native apps on smartphones, and generative AI features in mobile search results make it easy to get quick summaries of complex information on the go. 

This evolution is continuing through 2024 with cloud, no code, and AI-powered tools that make it easier for anyone to publish mobile-friendly content online. Key trends to pay attention to include: 

• Mobile-friendly no-code tools like Bubble 
• Serverless and secure architecture
• AI-assisted development tools like Microsoft Copilot
• Headless content management systems (CMS) like Strapi
• Search engine optimization (SEO) for AI and voice search

The skills you need

If you’re a web developer you’ll be happy to know that the big three front-end JavaScript frameworks React, Vue, and Angular, remain incredibly popular. That said, you’ll still want to hone and grow your understanding of how different AI tools (and the language models that power them) work, as AI-assisted website development and user-facing experiences will continue to increase.

The talent you need

Looking for top independent talent to help you build your own web apps? Whether you need help with JavaScript frameworks like React, a CMS like Webflow, or ecommerce site builders like Shopify, you can find the web development talent you need to bring your web project to life on Upwork.

7. Bitcoin, DeFi, and dApps

Investment management firm VanEck notes that 2024 saw an “unexpected rally” for Bitcoin along with the launch of Bitcoin EFTs. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are possible because of blockchain technology—which itself is expected to hit a market size of $69 billion by 2032.

But blockchain isn’t just for decentralized finance (DeFi) and cryptocurrency. It’s also used to create secure, verified, digital paper trails that support activities like:

• ESG compliance and reporting
• Drug production and distribution 
• Manufacturing processes
• Ethical mineral sourcing
• Regulatory compliance

Many of these actions are supported by the blockchain with the use of a decentralized app (dApp) ecosystem. Instead of running in a traditional cloud, dApps run on the blockchain’s peer-to-peer (P2P) network of computers. This widespread, decentralized network can offer benefits in terms of privacy and flexibility. In 2024 and beyond, the blockchain can act as an immutable distributed ledger system with real applications across the enterprise technology stack. 

The skills you need

A solid foundation in blockchain architecture, cryptography, and data structures is key to surviving as a blockchain developer in 2024. Familiarity building on top of dApp platforms like the Ethereum network. Experience with cloud technologies and distributed systems is also key. 

To give yourself even more of an edge, you can stay up to speed on DeFi trends like liquid staking protocols, Bitcoin Layer 2s, and real world assets, too.

The talent you need

Looking for top independent talent to help you build your own dApps? From cryptocurrency specialists to blockchain developers, the professionals you need to bring your blockchain project to life are on Upwork.

8. Edge computing and the internet of things

The internet of things (IoT) market is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 20.49% through 2029, ultimately reaching a U.S. market volume of more than $1.5 billion. 

IoT devices, like smart refrigerators and internet-connected home security systems, rely on a strategy known as edge computing. In edge computing, data is collected and used right on the device without continual back and forth communication to a cloud—understandably important to the development of fast and effective IoT devices. 

This synergy between IoT and edge computing technologies manifests in many forms, including self-driving cars, supply chain management, smart grids, and predictive maintenance in factories. As these devices become increasingly prevalent in businesses and homes, the demand for edge computing will increase as well. 

The skills you need

Edge computing architects and IoT developers have specific skill sets—though they may overlap with that of a cloud solutions architect, too. Before taking on edge computing projects, become familiar with things like:

• DevEdgeOps
• High performance computing
• AI-based edge orchestration
• Edge-optimized AI frameworks
• AI models used in IoT development
• NPUs and other AI accelerators 
• Domain-specific LLM training

You’ll also want to become familiar with leading IoT platforms like Google Cloud IoT Core, AWS IoT Core, Azure IoT, and IBM Watson IoT.

The talent you need 

Looking for top independent talent to help you build your own IoT-powered apps? From IoT specialists to Arduino programmers, the professionals you need to get your IoT project off the ground are on Upwork.

9. Automation and the rise of DevOps

Development and operations (DevOps) speaks to the natural tension between the developers who build the apps and the IT operations staff who manage the infrastructure that deploys them. Integrating these traditionally siloed groups opens the door for greater agility and automation across an organization. DevOps is as much a culture as it is the automation and integration tools used to implement it.  

For enterprises that rely heavily on software, success is intimately tied to an organization’s ability to build, test, and deploy their applications at the speed of innovation. According to IMARC Group, the global DevOps market size reached $10.9 billion in 2023, and that number is projected to reach $32.7 billion by 2028. 

One of the biggest trends shaping the DevOps industry is the adoption of AI.

AIOps is what happens when you apply the latest advancements in AI to DevOps. This involves taking all the data collected from monitoring tools across your entire CI/CD pipeline, and applying machine learning to extract actionable insights for improving your processes. AI can identify patterns across your development and deployment system that even the best engineers might miss. These patterns can be used to improve everything from security to deployment times. 

This chart from Google’s 2023 State of DevOps report shows how AI is increasingly used within the industry:

The skills you need

A DevOps engineer in 2024 might need to be familiar with:

• Configuration management tools such as Red Hat Ansible Automation, Chef, and Puppet
• Source code management tools such as GitHub and Bitbucket
• Continuous integration tools like Jenkins and CircleCI
• Continuous testing tools like Selenium and Appium
• Continuous monitoring tools such as Nagios and Splunk
• Container orchestration with Kubernetes or Docker Swarm

Because the DevOps toolchain is constantly evolving, DevOps engineers need to continue to upskill as tools change and new ones become available. 

Talent you need

Looking for top independent talent to help unify development and operations across your organization? Search for top DevOps engineers on Upwork to meet your needs today.

10. Cybersecurity is top of mind for everyone

Cybercrime is predicted to cost the world $9.5 trillion in 2024. According to IBM, the average cost of a single data breach alone is $4.88 million. That’s a 10% increase over 2023.

It’s no wonder why cybersecurity investment continues to increase year over year—along with demand for skilled professionals. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 33% increase in cybersecurity employment through 2033, which is a much faster than average rate of growth.

As with IoT and other growing technologies, cybersecurity isn’t immune from AI’s influence. Experts in this field are now using AI to improve threat detection—though cybercriminals are at the same time also using AI. As attacks improve, so must cybersecurity responses. Morgan Stanley expects the market for AI-based cybersecurity products to reach $135 billion by 2030.

The skills you need

If one thing is clear in 2024, it’s that cybersecurity professionals continue to be in high demand. If you’re working in, or want to work in, this field, you’ll want to:

• Pursue ethical hacking certifications
• Gain experience in identity and access management (IAM)
• Understand virtual private networks (VPNs)
• Have a solid grasp on cloud security best practices

The talent you need

Looking for top independent talent to help you stay secure in the next decade? A certified ethical hacker (CEH) can run penetration tests to identify security vulnerabilities and a certified information systems security professional (CISSP) can ensure security best practices are built in to your technologies and processes.

Developing a digital transformation strategy in 2024

In this article, we looked at the top ten digital transformation trends poised to shake up 2024. From AI chatbots to rising costs of cybercrime, the ability to pivot and adapt to an ever evolving landscape is key. Keeping up with the latest digital transformation trends can seem daunting, but with the right strategy you can give yourself a competitive edge that will last through 2024 and beyond. Check out our handy guide on developing a digital transformation strategy to learn more.

‍Disclosure: Upwork is an OpenAI partner, giving OpenAI customers and other businesses direct access to trusted expert independent professionals experienced in working with OpenAI technologies. Upwork does not control, operate, or sponsor the other tools or services discussed in this article, which are only provided as potential options. Each reader and company should take the time to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.‍