Accenture has released the latest edition of its much anticipated Technology Vision report, shedding light on the top technology trends for 2023 and beyond. At the heart of all emerging digital innovations are four core technologies.

According to the authors of the 115-page report, technology will in the coming decades play an exceptional role in solving some of the world’s most “grand challenges” including climate change and the environment, the energy transition, overcoming shortages of food and water, the advancement of humanity, and corporate and business development.

Based on a survey of close to 5,000 C-level executives and directors across 30+ countries (including the Middle East), Accenture populated a longlist of technology trends with major – even disruptive – potential to transform the way people work and live. The researchers then bring down this list to four ‘essentials’:

The science and technology loop
This trend envisages a growing connection between science and technology, to such an extent that the two reinforce each other and that “each accelerates the advancement of the other.” Three-quarters of executives worldwide said that this virtuous development loop could help power the world’s boldest digital-driven advancements.

Generative AI
Nearly all executives surveyed by Accenture said that artificial intelligence will reshape the future. Now, the emergence of generative AI (best-known example: ChatGPT) is “driving one of the biggest step changes” in Al’s history. As per the analysis, generative AI can enable people to shift from building their own Al to building with Al.

Data
Worldwide, nine out of ten executives believe data is becoming a key competitive differentiator within organizations and across industries. As part of the evolution of data across stakeholders, Accenture’s research suggests that data ecosystems are being reshaped by radical transparency as enterprises balance the application of their troves of data with the demands of regulators and the public.

Digital identity
The ability to authenticate digital users and assets is considered the “foundation for traversing digital and physical worlds”. 85% of executives told Accenture that digital identity is now a strategic business imperative, broadly agreeing that technology is (gradually) becoming the key to enterprises’ technology aspirations.

“The next decade will be defined by mega technology trends. Collectively, these four technologies will transform the way people work and live in the process of collapsing the distance of our digital and physical worlds,” said Paul Daugherty, group chief executive of Accenture’s Technology division.