𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐄𝐎𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐐𝟒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒: 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫

According to IoT Analytics latest report, three key themes dominated CEO conversations in Q4 2024: 𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐈. While mentions of AI and generative AI are tapering off in favor of more focused applications like agentic AI, this isn’t a retreat, it’s a clear sign of 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬, and my own observations.

One standout observation is where IoT sits in the trends chart, categorized as small and fading. But is it really fading? Or has it quietly entered the early majority phase, embraced by venture capitalists and established markets? From my perspective, 𝐈𝐨𝐓 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠; 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠.

When CEOs stop talking about a technology, it’s often a signal that it’s moved from the buzzword stage to being operationalized. This aligns with my 𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐎 model, See One, Do One, Teach One, Learn One. The best leaders immerse themselves in understanding and implementing a new technology, then shift their focus to what’s next. The silence on IoT might just mean it’s becoming part of the core infrastructure, an unsung enabler.

𝐢𝐨𝐭: The Silent Connector

What’s driving this next frontier? Technologies like agentic AI, augmented reality, on-device tech, and industrial automation. And IoT? It’s the glue that binds them together. IoT enables real-time insights, connects systems, and supports precision decision-making across these emerging areas.

Take reshoring and the renewed focus on manufacturing, two areas set for heavy investment. The key to optimizing these operations will be IoT-driven solutions, devices and sensors that track, measure, and deliver actionable insights to enhance efficiency, visibility, and massive outcomes.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

As we move into 2025, I expect smaller and mid-sized companies to increasingly adopt these “known goods” of AI, IoT, and automation. The conversation may shift, but the real-world application of these technologies will only deepen.

IoT isn’t fading, it’s embedding itself into the foundation of modern business. And as attention turns to agentic AI and automation, IoT will remain the enabler, quietly driving innovation and interconnected systems forward.

𝐈𝐨𝐓 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝, enabling enterprises to operate smarter, faster, and more interconnected than ever before.

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