It is essential that we develop new criteria for the creation of software that takes into account the increased complexity and capabilities of our technologies. Quality, timeliness, and affordability should remain key metrics for success; however, these must be adapted to reflect the current environment.
In 2023, there were numerous changes to established practices and expectations, such as the increased use of 5G, the rise of low-code/no-code platforms, the continued development of remote work, a shift to focus on cybersecurity, the growth of reliance on the Internet of Things (IoT) and the expansion of cloud computing. These were only a few of the major trends identified in the software industry.
In 2023, we can anticipate the continuation of many of the trends we are currently witnessing. Additionally, the emergence of new subcultures and further developments can be expected. What do you envisage the future of code creation to look like over the coming year? Join me as I take a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Five Major Developments in Software in 2023
1. The Cyber Immune System
The term “digital immune system” was first introduced in 1991 by IBM researcher David M. Chess. Although the concept was not new, Gartner has identified it as the top Strategic Technology Trend for 2023, suggesting its importance in the modern world.
The initial concept of the ‘digital immune system’ was developed in response to the increasing complexity of cyberattacks during the early stages of the internet. The idea was to provide protection for computer systems against viruses and other malicious software. As the sophistication of cyberthreats has continued to grow, the concept of the ‘digital immune system’ has become a more comprehensive and effective solution.
It is difficult to comprehend the extent of the damage caused by internet-based viruses in the modern day when their prevalence was only beginning to increase in 1991. As information technology develops, so too does the complexity of cyberattacks, with cybercriminals increasingly able to launch sophisticated attacks on computer systems and other electronic devices. Consequently, cybersecurity professionals are working tirelessly to keep up with these advancing threats.
The importance of a digital immune system has grown significantly since it was first proposed over three decades ago. This system utilizes a variety of techniques, such as automation, user design, comprehensive quality assurance testing, and stringent monitoring, to ensure the security of all associated systems and technology.
It is to be expected that there is an element of risk associated with the development of new software. However, by utilizing a digital immune system, both individuals and organizations can protect their systems from both known and unknown threats, thereby reducing the potential risk while taking advantage of cutting-edge tools.
Whilst there is no foolproof cybersecurity plan, this is the most extensive strategy for recognizing and addressing digital security risks.
A Gartner analysis on digital immunity for 2023 identified five key factors which are essential for augmenting resilience while providing an optimal user experience.
- Independent examinations
- Engineering chaos
- Autoremediation
- Observability
- Constant Verification
2. Using the Cloud as a Primary Storage Method
Cloud computing has been a cornerstone of software engineering for the past decade, with increasing implementation being seen amongst individuals and organizations alike. The popularity of cloud computing has grown significantly since the mid-2000s, thus making it a near-unavoidable part of many businesses.
According to Forrester, 94% of businesses in the US are now making use of cloud deployment when it comes to infrastructure decisions. There has been a marked increase in the adoption of multiple cloud platforms, with the COVID-19 pandemic being cited as a major contributor to this uptick in cloud computing.
The uptake of cloud computing services has been accelerated by the pandemic, providing businesses and individuals with remote access to software, file storage and collaboration capabilities. It is difficult to speculate whether this rapid adoption of cloud technology would have occurred without the pandemic, but it is likely that the transition would have been at a slower rate. Nevertheless, the use of cloud services has become a necessity in the current climate.
Cloud-based applications and services are predicted to gain even more traction in the coming year. Software engineers are utilizing cloud computing in their designs to provide multiple advantages to businesses. To ensure a rapid and secure launch of these services, businesses should seek out suppliers with an in-depth understanding of the technology.
3. The Outsourcing of Software and Information Technology
As the shift to digital transformation becomes increasingly prominent, businesses around the world are striving to accelerate the digitization of their internal practices and infrastructure. This is likely to lead to a heightened demand for specialist personnel and resources.
Due to the evolving digital landscape, the Information Technology (IT) and Software Outsourcing sectors have seen significant growth in recent years. American businesses have come to understand that they can no longer solely rely on their own in-house personnel to achieve desired outcomes.
Outsourcing of software and IT is not a new concept, but it is becoming increasingly more prevalent. Over the next 12 months, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) are expected to experience a surge in popularity and importance. It is evident that businesses of all types and sizes are investing heavily in the “as a service” industry.
As businesses become more reliant on automation technologies such as chatbots and voice support, Automation as a Service (AaaS) is anticipated to surpass other “as a service” offerings.
Statista forecasts that the application outsourcing market is set to grow at an annual rate of 4.66% and reach a value of $116 billion by 2023. It is projected to reach $145.70 billion by 2027.
Research indicates that the demand for technology outsourcing is increasing due to the proliferation of remote working and the high turnover rate in the software development and IT sectors. According to Commit, it is predicted that between 2023 and 2023, the amount of software development work outsourced by start-ups will increase by a significant 70%.
According to Commit’s 2023 State of Tech Staffing study, the reasons for outsourcing can vary depending on the job, with 48% of HR executives citing reduced expenses as the primary benefit and 42% of CTOs viewing it as a catalyst for rapid expansion.
Outsourcing is clearly proven to be an important strategy in 2023, and its importance will only grow in the next years.
4. Longevity
Recent years have seen the rise of solar power, hybrid cars and LED bulbs, amongst other technologies, as their effects on the environment are increasingly assessed. Whilst AI, cloud computing, the Internet of Things and blockchain may appear to consume relatively little energy, the data processing required for their operation has a considerable environmental footprint.
We should bear in mind that processing data requires energy-intensive equipment and physical servers. It is our responsibility to reduce e-waste and explore methods to make our software and technologies more energy efficient and less damaging to the environment, even though technology is not solely responsible for carbon emissions; virtually every sector holds some responsibility for environmental issues.
It is clear that addressing the increasing global digital energy consumption, which is rising at approximately 9% per annum, is an ambitious challenge. Nonetheless, if we are to be successful in this endeavor, we must explore inventive solutions.
It is encouraging to see that, by 2023, many businesses will have prioritized sustainability. In particular, IT businesses have made commitments to lower their carbon footprint and other ecological effects, through initiatives such as…
- Promoting and adhering to environmental industry norms
- By working with environmental groups, taking their advice into account, and contributing any proceeds to environmental causes.
- Emphasis on eco-friendly energy
- We need additional studies of the environmental effects of various software to be conducted.
- Increasing the durability of commonly used electronics is one way to cut down on electrical waste.
- Finding novel approaches to investigating energy use, such as comparing the energy efficiency of different programming languages
In order to achieve this goal, we are focusing our efforts on creating and implementing environmentally sustainable systems. Although some of these solutions are still in progress, they show great potential for preserving our planet and the future of our society.
Another motivation for investing in greener technologies is the need to convey a positive image to customers. Consumers who prioritize companies with a commitment to sustainability are more likely to purchase their goods. Therefore, as public awareness of environmental issues increases, businesses are increasingly motivated to address them.
5. Regulation of Intelligent Machines
It is essential to discuss AI in software development articles for 2023. According to IDC, the global AI market is projected to reach 500 billion USD by 2024. AI has received considerable attention in recent years and is continuing to grow in power with new advancements being made daily. Therefore, this essay does not need to further emphasize the advantages of adopting AI.
It is essential to consider the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is clear that AI is a powerful technology, and therefore it is imperative that it is subject to legislative restrictions to ensure it is kept open, fair, egalitarian, ethical and under strict control. The overriding principle of AI governance is that AI and associated technologies must be subject to a regulatory framework.
This implies that the implications of utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) are becoming more evident, therefore suggesting a need for more rigorous regulations in order to ensure that algorithms running on computers abide by the necessary rules.
When considering the applications of artificial intelligence, one can think of areas such as face recognition and stock market forecasting. AI has the potential to be used for ruling on legal and security issues, including within criminal proceedings. This is an important factor in determining whether a loan is granted to a borrower and can be the difference between life and death. Therefore, it is important to recognize the implications of AI and its real-life consequences for people and the world.
Hence, it is distinct from other technological methods in this regard. This is one of the reasons why many groups are calling for regulation of AI systems.
The White House and the United States Department of Commerce have both taken steps to increase participation in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research. Specifically, the White House formed the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Task Force, and the Department of Commerce established the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee, which has been tasked with examining AI responsibility.
As we approach 2023, we are still faced with a number of queries surrounding the effective management of the tools available to us. Of particular concern is the question of how we will evaluate the decisions made by artificial intelligence and how we can reduce the incidence and severity of errors.
The IT industry’s giants are paying attention, and many of them are keen to join in. Microsoft has developed tools such as Fairlearn to assess the effectiveness of its AI models, while Google is progressing with its Responsible AI initiative. IBM is creating infrastructure to automate AI governance.
Darrell M. West, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies at Brookings, has suggested a six-step process for the responsible implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Creating norms and regulations
- Using techniques that encourage moral behaviour and lessen prejudice in the workplace.
- Setting Standards and Metrics for Evaluation
- Establishing norms for the use of AI in problem-solving
- Testing out new ideas and incubators
- Complementing AI with knowledge from other fields
Of course, AI governance is crucial, and possibly more will be done in this area in 2023.
To What Extent Do 2023 Trends in Software Development Have Common Themes?
As we move into 2024, we must bear in mind that the development of technology is an ongoing process. It is essential that we further investigate the potential implications, both practical and theoretical, of the advancements made throughout 2023 and beyond.
In 2023, these are some of the most important trends to watch in the software development industry.
Resilience
The global pandemic has had a seismic impact on the world. We have seen the devastating effects of the Great Resignation on businesses globally, and we are now preparing for the potential of an economic recession.
It is unsurprising that resilience is a key consideration in the technological sphere. To address a lack of expertise and restricted resources, businesses are increasingly turning to software outsourcing as a viable solution.
Preparation for emergencies Leaders in the field of software development will be taking this into account. To ensure businesses are prepared for a range of potentialities, it is important to develop and reinforce them.
Scalability
Businesses are facing a range of difficulties due to the ongoing consequences of the pandemic and the possibility of a further economic downturn. Nonetheless, the IT industry is showing no signs of slowing down in spite of the current circumstances. Companies are continuing to focus on growth, making scalability a top priority.
They recognize that fulfilling their commitments to resolving people’s most pressing needs and concerns is essential in order to maintain progress in a volatile environment. Additionally, they will be intensifying the manner in which software is developed and distributed.
Security
The importance of security cannot be overstated when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance. Cybersecurity is a fundamental component of this, but it is not the only one. Moreover, with hackers continuously evolving their techniques to destabilize and harm digital systems, it is essential that appropriate safety measures are taken for any technology or invention.
Firms will be incorporating multifaceted approaches into their cybersecurity plans. This will involve utilizing the expertise of professionals such as white-hat hackers, as well as making use of cloud-based solutions. Ensuring a robust security setup within IT is crucial, and businesses may need to consider sourcing personnel from external sources to fulfil this requirement.
Involvement of Users
Lastly, user involvement is a key factor in all technology industry strategies, techniques, tools and ideas. This is due to the fact that technology, despite its technical nature, is created by people, and the tools and products made are a result of human effort.
The aim of each software is to address the user’s needs and simplify their life. Engagement is essential to make the most of the sector’s resources. From 2023 onwards, user experience will be a priority for software companies when making decisions, ranging from digital security to sustainability.
