This IDC study contains IDC analysts' future of work worldwide outlook for 2024 and the planning horizon for the next five years. The outlook is presented through the lens of the 10 predictions that make up, in IDC's view, the framework for technology-related initiatives in the years ahead that can be leveraged by IT, human resources (HR), and other line-of-business (LOB) decision makers and influencers."The next five years will show the rapid shift in business and technology to support new ways of working," said Amy Loomis, research vice president, Future of Work at IDC. "Across industries and organizations, there must be equal investment in deploying automation like AI and GenAI and human skills and guardrails essential to managing them."
IDC FutureScape Figure
Executive Summary
IDC FutureScape Predictions
Summary of External Drivers
Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers
Prediction 1: By 2026, Enterprises That Directly Tie GenAI to Intelligent Document Processing Will See a 20% Increase in New Use Cases Leading to Increased Productivity and Scale and Improved Customer Experiences
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 2: By 2028, over Two-Thirds of Large Businesses Will Use Prompt Engineering to Prototype AR/VR Simulations, Reducing Development Time from Weeks to Hours and Creating Precision Training
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 3: Business Teams Using Code Generation Copilots Will Achieve 70% Success Rate in Streamlining Jobs with Task/Workflow Automation, Replacing Low-Code and IT-Supported Development by 2024
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 4: 60% of G2000 Will Upgrade Hardware and Software Technologies to Increase Worker Retention with Personalized Work Experiences and Enhanced Collaboration by 2025
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 5: By 2028, Digital Twin Technologies Will Enhance Virtual and Physical Office User Experiences, Driving a 30%+ Improvement in Retention of Workers in G1000 Companies
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 6: By 2028, 80% of the Global 2000 Will Invest in Office Climate Havens, Using Asset-Based/Renewable Energy to Defray 30% of Their Ongoing Operating Costs
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 7: In 2024, GenAI Tools Will Enable Senior Leaders to Double Productive Use of Unstructured Data by Discovering Untapped Insights and Knowledge, Driving 20% Growth in Sustainable Business Benefit
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 8: Enterprises Will Leverage Personalized Technology Skills Development to Drive $1 Trillion in Productivity Gains by 2026, Enabled by GenAI and Automation Everywhere
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 9: By 2027, 80% of G1000 Organizations Will Mitigate Technical Skills Shortages Using Digital Adoption Platforms
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Prediction 10: By 2027, 40% of Current Job Roles Will Be Redefined or Eliminated Across G2000 Organizations Accelerated by GenAI Adoption
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Business Impact
Guidance
Advice for Technology Buyers
External Drivers: Detail
AI Everywhere - Generative AI Takes the Spotlight
The Drive to Automate - Maximizing Efficiency and New Opportunities
Economic Uncertainty - IT Malaise and Market Volatility
Cybersecurity and Risk - Building Resilience Against Multiplying Threats
The Digital Business Imperative - Competitiveness and Outcomes
Dynamic Work and Skills Requirements - New Work Mode Era
Operationalization of ESG - Measuring and Implementing Sustainability