In 2024, Capgemini published a series of reports shedding new light on various aspects of technology and the global economy. The year was dominated by developments in artificial intelligence, particularly in software engineering. The number of the wealthiest individuals increased, and companies ramped up investments in reshoring. Below, we present the key findings from Capgemini’s 2024 reports.
Reindustrialization of Europe and the USA
Amid global supply chain disruptions, more and more companies are turning to reshoring—bringing production closer to domestic markets. Currently, 47% of large enterprises in Europe and the USA have already taken such actions, while 72% are developing or implementing reindustrialization strategies. Key motivations include enhancing resilience to operational disruptions, strengthening national security, and achieving climate goals, all of which contribute to restoring industrial positions in specific regions.
Reindustrialization is also driving the development of sustainable and innovative technologies. As many as 62% of organizations are investing in solutions that support green initiatives, such as gigafactories producing batteries and technologies like 5G, GenAI, and digital twins. These initiatives help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve manufacturing process efficiency, and foster technological advancement.
The reindustrialization process also creates new opportunities in the job market. Companies are increasingly seeking professionals with advanced digital skills, such as supply chain management, data analysis, and artificial intelligence proficiency. It is predicted that the share of such specialists will grow from 31% currently to 53% within the next three years.
World Wealth Report 2024
Global wealth grew by $3.8 trillion (+4.7%) in 2023, reaching a record $86.8 trillion. According to Capgemini, the number of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) increased by 5.1% to 22.8 million, reflecting strong growth trends despite market instability. The largest growth was recorded in North America, where wealth rose by 7.2%, and the number of HNWI increased by 7.1%. Other regions, such as Asia-Pacific (+4.2% in wealth) and Europe (+3.9%), also experienced gains, with Africa being the exception, showing slight declines.
The report highlights a shift in HNWI priorities—wealthy individuals are increasingly focusing on investing to grow their wealth. Two out of three individuals, compared to 2023, planned to increase private equity investments in 2024. This trend is expected to stimulate growth in markets like Africa, which currently suffers from a lack of foreign investments. Wealthy individuals are leveraging their flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions and seek new profit opportunities.
Experts predict that wealth growth will slow in 2024 due to geopolitical factors, such as elections in the USA and Europe, and new regulations in social media and artificial intelligence. However, the report emphasizes that HNWIs remain a driving force behind innovation and changes in global markets.
Gen AI in Software
Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) is rapidly gaining traction in software engineering. Currently, it supports 25% of tasks related to design, development, and testing, with projections indicating that 85% of professionals will use these tools within the next two years. Gen AI automates simple, repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more creative and valuable aspects of their work. While current implementations are in their early stages, organizations are already seeing benefits such as increased innovation, improved software quality, and enhanced productivity for developers.
One of the main applications of Gen AI is not only writing code but also modernizing software, designing UX, and improving communication with non-technical teams. Companies plan to use the time saved through AI for developing new features and upskilling their teams, rather than reducing staff. New job roles, such as AI Developer and Generative AI Architect, are emerging, indicating a shift toward greater specialization in AI technology.
The rapid development of AI also poses significant challenges. Up to 63% of professionals admitted to using unauthorized AI tools, exposing organizations to cybersecurity risks and legal liabilities.
Gen AI is on the brink of revolution, and its future lies in comprehensive and versatile systems that are more than just standalone tools. Only such solutions—supported by highly skilled personnel, appropriate security measures, and clearly defined legal regulations—will be able to fully meet business needs on a large scale.
