AI

The tech industry will continue to undergo major transformations next year, driven by the evolving needs of the digital landscape. Let’s explore the top predictions for our 2024 tech forecast:

1. Embracing the new normal in IT: Remote work & security

First off, the remote work trend isn’t just a phase – it’s here to stay, and it’s reshaping the responsibilities of IT administrators. In 2024, expect to see IT admins focusing even more on keeping things secure and compliant, especially with the rise of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and contractor access. We’re moving past the era of traditional VPNs and web gateways; it’s all about innovative solutions for our diverse, remote, and hybrid work environments. And guess what? The Digital Employee Experience (DEX) is now more crucial than ever.

2. Cloud meets AI: A match made in tech heaven

In 2024, the combination of cloud computing and AI will revolutionize how quickly we can develop and launch SaaS (Software as a Service) applications. Productivity gains for developers are through the roof with some seeing more than 50% gains. It means more innovative, efficient software solutions on the horizon. Plus, for those already in the cloud, adopting and using GenAI models will equate to faster time to value.

3. Budgets in IT: A balancing act

IT budgets are constantly evolving. While total spending might not see a huge shift, where the money goes is changing. Think more focus on security, managing endpoints, and securing applications. It’s all about smart spending in 2024 with FinOps being a crucial tool for the IT.

4. The rise of hybrid cloud

The hybrid cloud isn’t just for the big players or regulated industries anymore. In 2024, it’s going mainstream, with more organizations blending on-premises investments with cloud services. This flexible approach is gaining traction. According to the recent 2023 Hybrid Cloud Survey, two-thirds of respondents, 64%, have already implemented a hybrid approach, and 38% of all respondents intend to enhance their adoption of the hybrid cloud within the upcoming year. GenAI is only going to accelerate cloud adoption, and legacy workloads will need the ability to work with these new workloads in the cloud.

5. When vendors change, cloud adoption grows

Vendor decisions have a strong influence on IT strategies.  For example, as vendors like Citrix and VMware evolve through mergers and acquisitions or leave a customer segment, many businesses lean toward a cloud-first strategy. This shift is becoming a significant driver for cloud adoption. This also becomes a time to consolidate vendors. 

6. Legacy apps: The ongoing challenge

Despite rapid cloud adoption, many companies are sticking with on-premises infrastructure due to compatibility issues with legacy apps. According to a recent survey by Parallels, 49% of IT professionals affirmed the ongoing need to support legacy Windows and Linux applications beyond five years. Expect legacy app challenges to be a hot topic well beyond 2024.

7. Safeguarding against browser-borne threats with zero-trust alternatives

With more apps moving to a SaaS model delivered from the cloud, protecting against cyberattacks like malware and phishing originating from browsers will be a priority for IT organizations. Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) is becoming a go-to solution to help neutralize online threats and stave off exposure to malware and other cyberthreats in a zero-trust stack. RBI works by containerizing and isolating individual applications and cloud-hosted environments, to ultimately prevent data leaks from the organization.

8. Generative AI: Shaping our digital world

Generative AI is making waves, from content creation to design and beyond. With cheaper and more accessible APIs, we can expect a lower barrier to the adoption of Large Language Models (LLMs) for a variety of use cases from marketing, sales, data analytics, software development, customer support, and cybersecurity. 

9.Bottom-up tech spending: A new trend

Even with tight top-down budgets, employees and teams are investing in tech tools they find valuable. This bottom-up spending trend signifies a shift in technology adoption within organizations, despite the economic conditions.

10. Looking forward to predictable growth in 2024

Finally, 2024 is shaping up to be a year of predictability in tech. We’re expecting growth in end-user computing device shipments, with a spotlight on Macs in the enterprise world. It’s a welcome change from the uncertainties of recent years.

In conclusion, our 2024 tech forecast predicts that remote work, AI evolution, and cloud strategies will be key drivers to IT success. It’s all about being adaptable and seizing new opportunities in this ever-changing tech landscape. Stay tuned, stay adaptable, and let’s make the most of these exciting times!

Generative AI tools can help you turn ordinary images into extraordinary masterpieces. Alludo now offers customers access to Vision FX, an AI art generator plugin.  From cartoon characters to futuristic fantasy, classic or modern art, science fiction, anime, and more, this plugin’s generative capabilities enable a seamless and intuitive creative process.

Seamless integration with popular applications

Vision FX with generative AI is designed for effortless integration with leading applications like PaintShop Pro, CorelDRAW, Corel PHOTO-PAINT, Corel Painter, Adobe Photoshop, and Affinity. Whether you’re a professional artist, creative enthusiast, designer, photographer, or art lover, this powerful plugin elevates your experience across platforms.

Start creating with generative AI

To help you harness the full potential of generative AI and Vision FX, we’ve provided additional information and resources to help you get started. Visit our resource page to explore bonus tips and sample prompts, and get answers to common questions including:

• How does Vision FX create AI-powered photos?  
• What type of images you can use?
• How do I write a prompt?
• Can someone tell if my photo was created by AI in Vision FX?  

Also check out the following tutorial video for a live demonstration of Vision FX.

In the fast-paced world of digital art, creativity and innovation are key. But did you know there is an untapped reservoir of potential waiting for you in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? While the idea of using AI in art creation might sound futuristic, it’s a reality that’s here and now, and it’s transforming the way artists work. New AI tools can aid in everything from replacing entire backgrounds to adding tattoos or graffiti to your artwork. Best of all, the productivity benefits of using AI tools in art creation are incredible.

AI in art creation: An opportunity, not a threat

There’s a common misconception that AI is going to replace human creativity. However, this is far from the truth. AI won’t replace people. People who use AI will replace the people that don’t.

AI in art is not a replacement; it’s an enhancement, a tool that can help you reach new heights of creative expression. People who embrace AI are the ones who will take the lead in the art world. AI acts as a catalyst, feeding off human input and innovation to create something extraordinary.

Generative AI tools: Unleashing creative potential

Generative AI tools help you kickstart your creativity, achieve astonishing results, and even scale up those results to greater heights. Here are four key productivity benefits:

1. Brainstorming and inspiration: AI’s ability to make connections and generate ideas can inspire you in ways you’ve never imagined. It’s a fantastic way to initiate the creative process or save unique results for future projects.
   
   
2. Storyboarding and concept development: If you aren’t an artist but need to get an idea across to someone, AI can create a starting point to share and develop with a team or client. From there it can be used to build a visual framework or storyboard to create the final work.
   
   
3. Creative editing: AI can assist you in creating intricate parts of an image that might be beyond manual creation. It allows artists to blend AI-generated elements into a masterpiece, all stitched together to perfection.
   
   
4. Upsampling: Generative AI tools output small images, between 500 px and 1000 px. Modern upsampling tools, like the ones in our products, use AI to prevent pixelization when making the image larger. Now you can upsample images, without the blurry image loss, that can be used in different projects and printed on canvas, clothing, and other merchandise.
   
   

Introducing the Vision FX AI Plugin

Ready to harness the power of AI in your artwork? Alludo now offers Vision FX, an AI art generator plugin designed to transform ordinary photos into imaginative art pieces. Here’s why Vision FX is a game-changer:

• Powerful AI-driven Functionality: Generate endless visual variations with no presets or templates. Every result is uniquely yours.
  
  
• Easy and Intuitive: Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’ll find Vision FX’s interface user-friendly.
  
  
• Private and Secure: With Vision FX, your images and data remain safe on your device.
  
  
• Affordable: Enjoy endless creativity with a one-time purchase. No hidden costs.
  
  
• Flexible and Customizable: Fine-tuning tools and before/after previews allow total creative control.
  
  
• Accessible: It’s available as a plugin with popular software like Adobe Photoshop, Affinity, CorelDRAW®, and more.
  
  

AI in art creation is an uncharted frontier brimming with opportunities for artists looking to expand their horizons. The productivity benefits are immense, and the introduction of tools like Vision FX ensures that the AI-driven creativity revolution is within reach for everyone.

Discover a new dimension of creativity and transform your art now. With Vision FX, you’re not just following the trend; you’re leading it. Watch a live demo of how Vision FX works or learn how you can get started with the new AI plugin today.

Generative art takes on a new dimension with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As AI technology weaves its way into the art world, many are left pondering its implications on the artists and the creative process. But rather than seeing this as a threat, the savviest of creatives see an opportunity—a new toolset that can enhance their work, speed up their processes, and inspire novel styles and aesthetics.

Three leading-edge models—Stable Diffusion, Dall-E, and Mid-journey—epitomize the convergence of art and AI.

Stable Diffusion harnesses the potential of generative models and stochastic differential equations to produce art. It iteratively transforms random images into cohesive and visually impressive outputs, bridging the gap between human creativity and machine precision. This model empowers artists to create intricate artwork with unique visual patterns.

Dall-E, another model developed by OpenAI, is designed to generate images from textual descriptions. It takes a phrase and transforms it into a vivid image, even if the request involves impossible or highly imaginative scenarios. With Dall-E, artists can experiment with a new style or seek inspiration, using it to explore the farthest reaches of their creative minds.

However, the Mid-Journey model might hold the most intrigue for artists. Unlike other AI models that aim to generate a finished piece of artwork, Mid-Journey, as the name suggests, stops halfway. It gives the artist an in-progress artwork—a foundation upon which they can build. It’s an essential tool in the artist’s repertoire, not a replacement. It is a model that brings the promise of AI and human creativity into harmony, an ally to the artist rather than an adversary.

The power of Mid-Journey lies in its ability to alleviate creative blocks, to offer a fresh perspective or jumpstart the journey down an unforeseen creative path. It assists in automating complex or repetitive tasks, giving artists more time and mental energy to devote to their artistic expression. Importantly, it democratizes artistry, breaking down barriers to entry and encouraging a wider range of individuals to express their creativity.

As we venture further into 2023, industry leaders and artists alike need to closely observe this exciting intersection of technology and art. The possibilities are endless. Generative art opens uncharted territories of creativity, novel styles, and unprecedented collaborative processes. The integration of AI models such as Stable Diffusion, Dall-E, and especially Mid-Journey invites a new era of artistic expression, where humans and AI co-create in a symbiotic relationship.

Indeed, the introduction of AI into the world of digital art is not a threat—it’s a renaissance. A movement that respects the importance of the human touch in artistry while leveraging the immense potential of AI. In this exciting juncture, artists are not just artists; they are pioneers exploring a brave new world of creativity. Generative art, aided by AI, is becoming an important ally in their journey, breaking boundaries, challenging conventions, and fueling an extraordinary evolution in the world of art.

With the dawn of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a new and perhaps intimidating tool has entered the creative arena – generative art. It’s understandable why artists may be skeptical, viewing this emerging technology as a potential threat to the sanctity and integrity of human-made art. However, we need to consider the value generative art can bring to the table – from expediting the creative process to offering a unique palette of inspiration.

Generative art: A new partner in creativity

Generative art, a form of digital art where the output is produced by a set of rules or algorithms often involving AI, is changing the creative landscape. But rather than viewing it as a competitor, it can be seen as a co-creator that enhances and augments the artist’s capabilities.

Generative art is not about replacing the artist; instead, it’s about giving artists the freedom to explore new avenues of creativity and realize their visions in unique ways. The AI, with its algorithmic brush, paints in broad strokes, setting the groundwork. The artist then takes over, adding their unique perspective, refining the output, and transforming it into a piece that speaks to the audience.

Streamlining the artistic process

One of the most compelling reasons to integrate AI into your artistic process is its capacity to streamline workflows. For digital artists who regularly work on complex projects involving numerous layers and intricate designs, the time-saving aspect of generative art is invaluable.

Generative AI can produce a plethora of variations in a matter of seconds, effectively making the process of creating initial drafts and mockups more efficient. This rapid generation allows artists to quickly explore different avenues, without having to invest countless hours in initial design phases. More time can then be devoted to refining the chosen piece, enhancing details, and adding personal touches.

Bridging the gap between art and technology

Generative art also allows artists to expand their horizons, bridging the gap between art and technology. Through the use of AI, artists can push the boundaries of traditional art, creating pieces that reflect our evolving digital society.

This does not mean that generative art will devalue traditional art or make human creativity obsolete. In fact, it can create a fascinating blend of the human and machine, resulting in art that is an amalgamation of calculated randomness and artistic direction. It is a partnership where the human provides the creative spark and the AI helps in executing that vision, bringing an entirely new aesthetic to the art world.

Cultivating a fresh perspective

Artists have a long history of leveraging new tools, from the advent of photography to the use of digital tablets. AI and generative art are simply the latest additions to the artist’s toolbox. By exploring and integrating these tools into their creative process, artists can stay ahead of the curve and inspire new directions in art.

The key lies in reframing the perspective – generative art is not a threat but an opportunity. It’s a new lens through which to view and shape the world, a lens that can help you expedite your creative process, explore uncharted artistic territories, and craft pieces that are unique, mesmerizing, and truly representative of this digital age.

Generative art is not here to take away your work but to empower you. Embrace this technological ally, and you may find yourself creating art that exceeds not only your expectations but also those of your audience. Remember, at the heart of every piece of generative art, there is always an artist – and that artist is you.

AI is absolutely dominating headlines and conversations right now. AI can chat, draw astonishingly specific images, and make you sound like you have a depth of knowledge on virtually any subject.

No doubt it’s impressive, but it can’t do everything. AI can’t show empathy, at least not authentically. AI can respond to people in a socially appropriate way based on its data bank, but it can’t conjure up genuine care, empathy, or emotional support. So, while we consider all the things AI can do, being a human, with the power to relate to another human, is one thing AI simply cannot do. And in the world of leadership, nothing is more important.

The term “soft skills” originated in the late 1960s by the US Army, and I am sure that being soft was the farthest thing in their minds. Soft skills were defined as skills that didn’t center around machinery. That’s fitting, given that right now we’re literally talking about these skills as the ones that differentiate us from machines.

As a former US Marine, I attribute much of what I know about leadership to my experience in the military. And when I think of the soft skills I learned in this time—valued characteristics like interpersonal skills, strength of character, and tenacity—I know first-hand that the military absolutely emphasized the importance that great leadership brings to an organization’s success. They also recognized that being great at these skills doesn’t happen by accident. It must be actively developed and honed.

In the decades since its origin, the term “soft skills” has become commonplace. It’s held onto much of its original meaning, and still reflects all the qualities listed above. But somewhere along the way in business, it sometimes felt as if soft skills were considered a “nice to have” rather than critical. And from my perspective in today’s world, where technology is radically transforming so many roles in ways we can’t even imagine yet, they’ve never been more important. The very definition includes everything that a machine might struggle with: emotional intelligence, teamwork, communication/listening, creativity, time management, critical thinking, adaptability, and—of course—empathy.

Interestingly, as we recently honored March as Women’s History Month, it’s also worth noting that the Harvard Business Review reports that women score higher than men on most leadership skills—and many of the skills they looked at would be considered ‘soft’ skills, like building relationships, collaboration/teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and inspiring/motivating others. And since these strengths are often more associated as feminine traits, it’s sadly not a surprise that they haven’t always been given the importance they deserve. Without question, it’s time for us all to fight to make that change.

It’s not hard to see why these skills matter. Warren Buffett said that the most important thing to look for when hiring is integrity. That’s a human skill. And according to a whopping 89% of recruiters who were surveyed for LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report, a lack of soft skills is usually the reason a hire doesn’t work out. I doubt any business should need a stronger proof point than that.

So obviously, the ability to empathize and connect with people at work should never have been considered optional. And while this realization gains traction throughout the business world, it’s also brought a call to change how we think of and even refer to these critical skills. As Simon Sinek and others have pointed out, these soft skills are in fact human skills. And every one of us would be better off for developing them further. Not only because we’d be better leaders, employees, partners, friends, parents, and strangers on the street—but also because they are the key thing that differentiates us from AI. They are the irreplaceable value you can bring to your role as a leader, not only today but in the future.

AI can already replace a lot of tasks. It can already replace a lot of jobs. And it’s only going to get better at it. What’s clunky now will be astonishing before you know it.

If we’re looking at the future for your businesses in the new reality of AI, great leaders realize that we need to focus on the things only we can do, based on our problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, vision, and other skills and experience. These human skills are an incomparable source of strength.  

To continue adding value as AI grows in sophistication; to be a better leader; to be a better person—human skills are nonnegotiable. Recognize them. Reward them. Develop them. Hone them. It’s important for everyone.

As Chief Marketing officer at Alludo, I’m not a professional designer, but I consider myself a superfan—both of design and of designers. I have the good fortune to work with designers every day, and also represent the industry’s best design tools.

I was recently asked to talk about some of the design trends that will impact designers in 2023, and since part of my job is keeping my finger on the pulse of the design world, I had plenty to say. The content below appeared in the digital publication GRAPHICS PRO and I wanted to share it with you here.

Trend #1: Enhancing creativity with AI

In the digital world, artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a normal part of the creative workflow—and in many cases, designers are already using AI in their software without even being aware of it.

With more creative software programs embracing AI, designers are now equipped with a powerful tool that enables them to work, ideate, and create better. AI helps to enhance design by boosting productivity. It helps people to break from their usual aesthetic, try a new style, and source new creative inspiration while also reducing tedious, manual tasks in the workflow.

While big changes and innovation are often met with skepticism, the scope for innovative, creative possibilities that AI brings to the design world is endless. This is an exciting space that savvy industry leaders will need to watch closely in 2023.

Trend #2: Bringing together the feelings and the facts

Designers today have access to huge amounts of data, equipping them with a better understanding of the performance of their work with measurable results. Insights into customer behavior inform the design process, leading to more data-driven decisions; however, this focus on data does not mean that designs today lack human empathy and creativity.

To create compelling work, designers must strike a balance between data-driven and intuition-led design. They need to be experts in understanding human behavior, know when it’s best to lean on the data, and when they should trust their instincts, think outside the box, and take creative risks.

To create great designs and foster strong connections with customers, designers must not only embrace this data-driven world but also learn how to balance analytics with their own intuition and creative judgment.

Trend #3: Driving creative collaboration

The way people work has completely transformed. Today, people work in a mix of remote, hybrid, and in-person environments. For years, leaders believed that in-person work yielded greater collaboration and that creativity happened within the bounds of the traditional 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday work structure. We’re now seeing that this isn’t the case. Designers can collaborate, be creative, and drive innovation anytime and from anywhere—whether that’s from a coffee shop or the couch at 2 a.m.

There’s been an influx of design tools that allow for remote collaboration, enabling people to connect with teams and clients regardless of location. This ability to seamlessly create from anywhere will only become increasingly important as more people lean into new ways of working. Empowering people with the freedom and flexibility to work how, when, and where they want leads to better productivity and more opportunities for creativity.

Trend #4: Prioritizing accessible web design

In the U.S., 26% of adults are living with one or more disabilities. This means that millions of people do not have adequate access to information, services, and products because many websites’ designs inadvertently exclude them.

In 2023, we expect to see more of an effort to optimize web accessibility. Making design more accessible can be the use of visuals that represent race, gender, and orientation diversity, but it also takes into account things like typography and font size, subtitles in videos, high contrast visuals, and using clear and concise copy. When accessibility is prioritized, people with mobility, cognition, hearing, and vision impairments are better able to perceive, understand, navigate, and be full participants in our digital world.

The future of graphic design

The way we work and create is always evolving. It’s an exciting time for the digital design space, as we can expect to see major shifts around AI, data analytics, creative collaboration, and accessibility in the coming year.