Dear Santa... A Tech Wishlist for 2024

As the year draws to a close and we anticipate the holiday season, it’s only fitting to indulge in a bit of speculation and wishful thinking. In the realm of technology and the web, where innovation is constant, what could we hope to find under our metaphorical tree in 2024? Let’s embark on a journey through the corridors of imagination and compile a wishlist for the tech enthusiasts and digital dreamers. **

(The corridors of imagination? Sometimes even I feel that my sentences get a little forced and beyond corny, but I’m sticking to it.)

Wish 1 – A more decentralized web In the spirit of progress, one of the foremost wishes for 2024 is the seamless integration of Web3 technologies. The decentralized web, powered by blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, holds the promise of a more transparent, secure, and user-centric internet. A wish to see widespread adoption of decentralized applications (DApps) and blockchain integration into mainstream web services is high on the list.

Or, at least I would settle for more a more decentralized web in general. The tech part is just icing on the cake at this point. We need to return to a more decentralized model to return some trust back into the system.

Wish 2 – Ethical AI practices Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of our digital landscape. In 2024, the hope is for a greater emphasis on ethical AI practices. From robust guidelines for AI development to increased transparency in algorithmic decision-making, the wish is for a tech landscape that not only harnesses the power of AI but does so responsibly and ethically.

AI stirs up a lot of emotions, from the mindless positivism of fanboys like me to the existential fear of artist and creators to the burning hatred in doomsday crowd. If we’re hoping for a broad adoption of AI that will be lasting, we need to find ways to protect our incense and let AI operate under ethical guidelines.

This is a delicate balance, however. If we go too far the spirit of Innovation (and Christmas past) will be stifled and all progress will be lost. No easy task but something I think Santa can handle.

Wish 3 – Sustainable tech practices becoming the norm The urgency of addressing climate change places (or should place) sustainable tech practices high, if not the highest, on any wishlist. In 2024, a wish is for a tech industry that not only acknowledges its environmental impact but actively adopts sustainable practices. This includes energy-efficient data centers, eco-friendly hardware designs, green code practices, and a commitment to reducing electronic waste.

We already know what to do so we just need to come tougher and just do it.

Wish 4 – Better accessibility on the web Something we often talk about but year after year we seem to be lacking is accessibility on the web.

As technology plays an increasingly central role in our lives, the wish is for a focus on accessible and inclusive design standards. From websites to applications, a commitment to making technology usable for everyone, regardless of abilities, is a noble wish for the tech landscape of 2024. Yet again, we know how. We just tend not to do it.

Wish 5 – Open-Source Lastly, dear Santa I wish for that we encourage and protect the awesome power that is the open-source community. The collaborative spirit of open-source communities has been a driving force behind many technological advancements and the democratization of technology.

A wish for 2024 is to see these communities continue to grow and flourish. More projects embracing open-source principles could lead to a wealth of shared knowledge and innovation.

I think that is it for this year’s list.

While we can’t send this list to the North Pole, the real magic happens when individuals, organizations, and the tech community at large come together to turn these wishes into reality. Here’s to a year of innovation, responsibility, and positive change in the ever-evolving world of technology.