Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2024: Day 2 Highlights – Navigating the Future of AI and Cloud Strategies

On the second day of the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2024, the spotlight was on strategic predictions for 2025 and beyond, alongside crucial discussions on cloud management, retail innovations, and the future of AI. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasised that “the world is on the verge of a new industrial revolution, one powered not by steam or electricity, but by artificial intelligence (AI)”. Huang then outlined his vision for AI's transformative impact on industries and urged business leaders to prepare for this shift by integrating AI into their operations.

While listening to this legend, two observations immediately stood out:

1. The information density at this event is almost overwhelming.
2. Infor’s vision, architecture, platform, systems, data and AI are ALL perfectly aligned for the future.

As organisations prepare for rapid technological advancements, Infor CloudSuite, the innovator's choice, provides the tools and strategies to efficiently adapt to these changes. From AI-driven transformations to cloud governance, Infor empowers businesses to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Here are the key insights from Day 2 and how Infor CloudSuite aligns with the emerging trends highlighted at the symposium.

Riding the AI Whirlwind: Gartner’s Top Strategic Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

As AI continues to infiltrate all aspects of business, Gartner predicts several key shifts in the coming years that CIOs must prepare for today. Daryl Plummer, Gartner’s Distinguished VP Analyst, emphasised that by 2027, AI’s reach will be deeply integrated into workforce management, healthcare, and even consumer branding.

Key insights include:

• AI in Employee Contracts: By 2027, 70% of new contracts will include clauses for AI representations of employee personas. Infor CloudSuite offers HR management solutions capable of navigating this new frontier, ensuring businesses stay compliant and efficient.
• Technological Immersion Risks: By 2028, organisations will need to implement “anti-digital policies” as digital addiction and social isolation become growing concerns. Infor’s OS Platform supports organisations in maintaining a balanced approach to technology, with tools that monitor and optimise digital workflows without overwhelming the workforce.
• AI in Healthcare: By 2027, emotional-AI terms in healthcare contracts will be critical, and Infor CloudSuite’s healthcare capabilities can support the integration of AI for improved patient care and diagnostic accuracy.
• AI Mood Monitoring: Gartner forecasts that 40% of large enterprises will deploy AI to measure employee mood and behaviour by 2028. Infor’s flexible OS Platform allows businesses to integrate AI responsibly, ensuring compliance with emerging regulations while enhancing employee engagement.

As these predictions unfold, Infor CloudSuite is poised to help businesses navigate the complexities of AI by offering robust solutions for adapting to legal, ethical, and operational challenges.

Cloud Governance: Preparing for Non-Portable Cloud Providers

Lydia Leong, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, discussed a pressing concern for organizations—what happens when cloud providers are not portable or substitutable? This challenge is becoming more prevalent as businesses adopt multi-cloud strategies and rely on specific cloud services for innovation.

Key takeaways include:

• Cloud Risk Management: Organisations must assess the risks of their cloud providers and ensure a balance between innovation and resilience. Infor CloudSuite’s open and hybrid-supported architecture provides businesses with the flexibility to manage risk across cloud environments.
• Cloud Exit Strategy: Effective cloud governance requires a clear exit strategy. Infor helps organisations document and plan their cloud usage, ensuring they are not locked into a single provider.
• Continuous Investment in Cloud Governance: Infor CloudSuite supports a long-term approach to cloud management by helping businesses develop sustainable cloud governance practises that evolve with the organisation. We believe we bring so much value to our customers that they never need the exit strategy we are currently advising them to adopt.

The Infor OS Platform offers an agile and secure cloud environment, helping businesses mitigate risks while maximising the benefits of cloud technology and cybersecurity.

Generational Change & Channel-less Engagement: The New Imperative for Retail and Consumer Goods

As the influence of older generations wanes, companies in retail and consumer goods must adapt to the changing demands of Gen Alpha and younger consumers. Robert Hetu, VP Analyst at Gartner, discussed the shift from channel-based to channel-less engagement, which requires unified commerce strategies.

Key points include:

• Generational Influence on Technology: Gen Alpha is driving digital transformation and technological adoption across generations. Infor CloudSuite offers consumer-facing businesses the ability to create seamless, channel-less shopping experiences, integrating AI to predict and respond to dynamic consumer behaviours.
• Unified Commerce as a Strategic Imperative: Infor’s commerce solutions provide a unified platform that bridges physical and digital shopping environments, ensuring that businesses can meet the expectations of every generation, from Gen Alpha to Baby Boomers.

With Infor CloudSuite, businesses can develop dynamic, ethical AI-driven models that enhance customer experiences and optimise operations in a channel-less world.

The Future of AI: Preparing for the Next Big Surprise

AI is advancing at breakneck speed, and organisations must be prepared for its ongoing evolution. Erick Brethenoux, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner, discussed the foundational elements that will shape the future of AI and how businesses can stay ahead.

Key takeaways include:

• AI Beyond Productivity: AI will evolve into “sidekick” roles, enhancing human creativity and problem-solving. Infor CloudSuite supports the development of these AI-driven use cases, allowing businesses to leverage AI for innovation rather than just automation. Erick advises us to “move beyond productivity and consider ’sidekick-like’ use cases to fully deliver the promise of AI.” This idea of an Agentic “Co-Bot” really appealed to me as I frequently talk about using technology as a partner in productivity.
• AI Engineering Practises: To improve the success rate of AI initiatives, organisations need to adopt AI engineering best practises. Infor CloudSuite’s Industry AI tools help businesses develop minimum viable products that blend innovative AI techniques, ensuring that AI initiatives are scalable and sustainable.
• Responsible AI and Regulation: As AI becomes more pervasive, regulation will follow. Infor CloudSuite helps organisations prepare by offering tools that ensure AI systems are ethical, transparent, and compliant with emerging regulations.

With Infor CloudSuite, businesses can foster responsible, innovative AI practices that not only improve productivity but also protect against regulatory risks.

Embrace the Future with Infor CloudSuite: The Innovator’s Choice

As revealed in Day 2 of the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2024, the future of AI, cloud governance, and customer engagement is rapidly evolving.

Infor CloudSuite embedded in Infor’s OS Platform is the solution of choice for innovators seeking to navigate these complex challenges. From preparing for the AI-driven workforce to managing multi-cloud and hybrid environments and creating seamless customer experiences, Infor provides the tools and expertise to help businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.

Learn more about Infor CloudSuite solutions and the Infor OS Platform, that will prepare your organisation to be ready to embrace the future—securely, efficiently, and innovatively.

Source: Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2024 Orlando: Day 2 Highlights