5 Tech Trends For 2024 In Malaysia’s Tech Segment
DE-CIX, the leading global Internet Exchange operator, announces the rapid evolution of technology continues to shape the business landscape, with advancements such as generative AI, Quantum computing, and more. Over the past year, these innovations have spurred companies to adapt strategies and build new infrastructures. Dr. Thomas King, CTO at DE-CIX, identifies five trends that will influence the connected business world, technology evolution, and interconnection business in Malaysia in 2024.
Here are the top 5 tech trends that will continue to elevate the business landscapes in Malaysia:
1. AI interconnect services for optimised low-latency AI delivery
With the introduction of ChatGPT and the rise of several powerful generative artificial intelligence (AI) models becoming available for general use in the region this year AI is here to stay and it is finding a place in many companies and providing a competitive advantage for those that can leverage it effectively. However, many companies lack the internal computing resources to enable the development and operation of their own AI models. Here, AI from the cloud and AI as a Service (AIaaS) providers offer convenient alternatives. For these, optimised connectivity to clouds and specifically to the AIaaS providers is an essential component for ensuring low latency and high bandwidth, and thus better performance of chatbots, analytics, and other tools.
Moreover, companies engaged in research and development, where AI is fundamental to innovation, will increasingly find that establishing direct and secure connections to external AI models or service offerings is not just a matter of convenience but a strategic imperative. This is particularly relevant for industries like pharmaceuticals, where AI is utilised in drug discovery and development processes, or in manufacturing, where AI is integral to process optimisation and predictive maintenance.
With that, the need for optimised connectivity to clouds and AIaaS providers is not a one-size-fits-all requirement. Instead, it is tailored to the specific needs of companies that rely on AI to gain a competitive edge in their respective industries. As the adoption of AI-supported services continues to grow in 2024, direct and secure
connections to external AI resources will become a central pillar in the strategic planning and technological infrastructure of forward-thinking businesses in Malaysia’s dynamic technology landscape.
2. AIOps for Network Operations
Network optimisation can support better performance of AI, but AI can also support better performance of networks. Although it’s still early days for AIOps (AI for IT operations), it is beginning to show potential. While all areas of IT operations are covered by AIOps, one area which is now emerging as an important component is AIOps for network operations. Network engineers are being faced with increasingly complex network landscapes, combining a distributed workforce, a multitude of devices, and cloud infrastructure, etc. AIOps simplifies the management of network operations through automation, predictive analytics, and root cause analysis on the basis of big data and machine learning. AIOps can speed up troubleshooting and resolving issues for customers, and at the same time reduce costs, as precious NOC employees can work on more critical tasks that AI can’t solve today.
In late 2023, one survey found that while only 4% of respondents have already integrated some kind of AIOps organisation-wide, a further 15% have implemented AIOps as a proof of concept, and 29% have identified use cases for its future implementation. The market is forecast to triple in size over the next four years, reaching nearly US$ 65 billion in 2028.
3. The advent of the SD-WAN Exchange
The market for SD-WAN has grown rapidly and substantially in recent years, as today many large enterprises are already making the most of its advantages. It is replacing the much more expensive and less flexible MPLS. SD-WAN intelligently uses existing Internet connectivity to integrate seamlessly with multi-cloud scenarios. It optimises data pathways by routing locally instead of routing all traffic back through the company infrastructure. SD-WAN achieves this by being a software-based overlay that separates the control plane from the underlying network infrastructure, the Internet connectivity. As is technology agnostic, it can function with agility over multiple network technologies, such as last-mile Internet connectivity via broadband or 4G LTE/5G.
Internet Exchanges have the potential to evolve into SD-WAN Exchanges, meaning that they will provide different SD-WAN endpoints. Enterprises can then use their SD-WAN technology of choice to connect to SD-WAN Exchanges to either consume interconnection services like cloud connectivity or the Microsoft Azure Peering
Service (MAPS), or to route between different SD-WAN technologies. We are expecting to see the first SD-WAN Exchange solutions in 2024.
4. Private communications in the post-Quantum era
With the increasing availability of quantum computing over the last few years, significant challenges have emerged in securing confidential communications. To ensure private communication channels in the post-quantum era, quantum encryption technology is being developed and is now becoming available in an experimental form. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is required in order to communicate quantum key material to a communication partner. One challenge with QKD lies in how far the key material needs to travel. The reason is that decoding a quantum signal is vastly more difficult than decoding signals with traditional network technology. As a result, only completely unobstructed fiber can be used for the networks to function effectively, and quantum repeaters will be needed every 80KM.
Following initial testbeds, in 2024 we will see productive quantum networks being built in Europe to test QKD over longer distances, a challenge yet to be solved conclusively. New approaches to the interconnection of participants in quantum networks will also emerge, which will ensure the optimisation of data pathways to minimise distances.
5. Network as a service goes global
Network as a service (NaaS) enables enterprises to outsource the building and management of their Wide Area Network (WAN) to a service provider. The approach unifies the concepts of pay as you go, API-based operation, self-service portals, automated ad-hoc provisioning, and a broad set of interconnection services, all in one bundle. Having emerged around a decade ago, NaaS has developed especially strongly in the enterprise sector, with the main focus until now being placed on local and regional WAN connectivity.
Today, NaaS is coming of age. Alongside traditional carriers, the first NaaS providers have now built their global networks to support multi-national organisations in connecting their many branch locations, manufacturing plants, and distributed workforces, and enabling them local access to the Internet, clouds, and partner networks. In 2024, we will see Network as a service offering becoming a global phenomenon.
In conclusion, within the dynamic landscape of Malaysia’s technology sector, we find ourselves in a thrilling era of innovation. Technological advancements are continuously In conclusion, within the dynamic landscape of Malaysia’s technology sector, we find ourselves in a thrilling era of innovation. Technological advancements are continuously enhancing performance, providing a platform for competitive advantages, and addressing long standing challenges. The growth and evolution of digital technology are not only fostering global connectivity but are also facilitating improved accessibility to content, applications, and services for a broader audience. As organisations in Malaysia navigate this transformative period, it is imperative that they align their infrastructure and processes with the ongoing digital evolution, cater to geographical expansion, and proactively respond to the evolving needs of their customers. The key to success lies in embracing and adapting to these technological shifts and trends, ensuring that businesses in Malaysia remain at the forefront of the ever-changing and globally connected tech landscape. – BusinessToday
