Gartner's 12 Disruptors: The Future of Business Systems

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Gartner has identified 12 early-stage disruptions that are set to redefine the future of business systems. These disruptions, ranging from generative AI (GenAI)-enabled code architecture to disinformation security and Earth intelligence, present both opportunities and challenges for technology leaders. As we stand on the precipice of a new era, it is crucial to understand how these technologies will shape the business landscape and what it means for enterprises to stay competitive.



The first disruption, GenAI-enabled code architecture, is poised to revolutionize enterprise applications. By 2029, Gartner predicts that more than 50% of user interactions linked to enterprise business processes will leverage large language models to bypass the UI layer in traditional enterprise applications. This shift from conventional form-oriented sequential UIs to dynamic, composable applications will enable new user scenarios and enhance productivity. Traditional enterprise application software vendors will need to refactor their applications to serve these composable GenAI solutions, which are invoked on demand via textual and multimodal prompts. This disruption aligns with the current trend of increasing AI adoption and the need for more dynamic and composable applications, presenting a significant opportunity for long-term growth.

Disinformation security is another critical disruption identified by Gartner. By 2030, at least half of enterprises will have adopted products or services to address disinformation security. This emerging discipline focuses on threats from outside the corporate-controlled network, including deepfake detection, impersonation prevention, and reputation protection. As disinformation attacks use external infrastructure like social media and originate from areas with limited legal oversight, tech leaders must add 'disinformation-proofing' to their products. This involves using AI/machine learning for content verification and data provenance tracking to help users discern the truth. The rise of disinformation attacks underscores the need for enterprises to invest in new technologies and services to protect their brand and secure their online presence.

Earth intelligence, the third disruption, uses AI to analyze satellite, aerial, and ground data to monitor Earth's assets and activities. By 2028, 80% of major Earth surface assets globally will be monitored by active satellites. This technology provides insights for decision-making, delivering numbers on global nickel production, theme park revenue, and the health of wheat crops, to name just a few. Earth intelligence is applicable to all industries and enterprises, with defense being the first adopter. However, improvements in data quality and analysis techniques have rapidly expanded the use cases. Enterprises can gain an early advantage by creatively and strategically applying Earth intelligence to enhance specific functionalities of existing systems or to compete via net new capabilities.

The rise of agentic AI is another significant disruption identified by Gartner. By 2028, at least 15 percent of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously through agentic AI. These programs combine various AI techniques with features like memory, planning, sensing the environment, using tools, and following safety guidelines to carry out tasks to reach objectives on their own. Agentic AI has the potential to perform as a highly competent teammate by providing insights from derivative events that are often not visible to human teammates. This disruption aligns with the current trend of increasing AI adoption and the need for more autonomous decision-making, presenting a significant opportunity for long-term growth.

AI governance platforms are also critical for managing and controlling AI systems responsibly and ethically. By 2028, enterprises using AI governance platforms will achieve 30 percent higher customer trust ratings and 25 percent better regulatory compliance scores than their competitors. These platforms allow IT leaders to ensure AI is reliable, transparent, fair, and accountable while also meeting safety and ethical standards. The increasing need for responsible and ethical AI use presents a significant investment opportunity, as enterprises will need to adopt AI governance platforms to ensure responsible and ethical AI use.

In conclusion, the identified early-stage technology disruptions by Gartner present significant potential for long-term growth and innovation. Enterprises that invest in these disruptions will be well-positioned to gain a competitive advantage and drive innovation in their respective industries. However, it is essential to mitigate the risks associated with investing in these emerging technologies, such as high failure rates in proof-of-concept work and the need for substantial investments to enhance capabilities. By focusing on established software vendors, hardware manufacturers, and foundational model providers, investors can ensure sustainable returns and drive the future of business systems.