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Losers

1. X (formerly Twitter): A masterclass in self-destruction
Elon Musk spent 2024 doubling down on the chaos that turned X into a punchline. Advertisers fled after baffling policy shifts, verified checkmarks became meaningless, and users abandoned ship for Bluesky and Mastodon in droves. Engagement plummeted, and what was once a cultural institution became a meme of its former self. Musk might still call it “the town square,” but in 2024, X was more like the local landfill.

2. Amazon: Innovation takes a coffee break
Amazon’s five-day return-to-office mandate alienated employees, sparked accusations of “quiet firing,” and triggered a mass exodus of talent. Workers who couldn’t — or wouldn’t — move closer to offices were forced out, and with them went years of expertise and innovation. This was the HR equivalent of smashing a robot with a sledgehammer for a company obsessed with efficiency. Quiet quitting? More like loud mismanagement.

3. Cybertruck: Trapezoids of doom
Tesla’s Cybertruck finally hit the road in 2024 — and immediately rolled into a ditch. Recalls for defective inverters, cameras that didn’t work, and windshield wipers that couldn’t handle drizzle made the truck a laughingstock. Its resale value tanked, and its polarizing design still looked like a failed geometry assignment. Sure, it turns heads, but only because people can’t believe it exists.

4. Apple Vision Pro: $3,500 worth of ‘why?’
Apple’s Vision Pro wowed in demos and dazzled on paper, but in practice, it was a solution in search of a problem. At $3,500, it was more curiosity than game-changer, with no killer app to justify the cost. Apple fans drooled, but most consumers shrugged. A technological marvel? Yes. A must-have device? Not even close.

5. Intel: Relic of a bygone era
In 2024, Intel continued to drift further into irrelevance. Its “AI PCs” barely moved the needle, and the 13th and 14th Gen Core processors — repackaged versions of last year’s chips — left consumers unimpressed. Meanwhile, Arm-based chips like Apple’s M4 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite set new benchmarks for performance and efficiency. Intel used to lead the charge; now it’s trailing behind, yelling at the clouds.

6. CrowdStrike: Trust misplaced
CrowdStrike had one job: keep systems secure. Instead, it botched a software update that caused a global IT outage, affecting millions of Windows devices and denting its reputation. For a company built on trust, this colossal failure had customers second-guessing their investments. Cybersecurity giant? More like cybersecurity headache.

7. AI wearables: The dumbest ‘smart’ gadgets
The Rabbit R1 and Humane AI Pin proved that just because you can make something “smart” doesn’t mean you should. The Rabbit R1 was clunky, impractical, and destined for the junk drawer, while the Humane AI Pin overheated, lacked features, and came with a ridiculous price tag. AI wearables promised innovation but delivered irrelevance.

8. Sonos: The sound of failure
Sonos hit a new low with a buggy app update that frustrated customers and delayed hardware launches. Employee warnings about the rollout were ignored, leading to a $30 million fiasco, a 25% stock drop, and layoffs. For a company synonymous with high-quality sound, 2024 was a tone-deaf performance.

Winners

1. AI tools and platforms: Finally living up to the hype
2024 was the year AI started earning its buzz. Google’s rebranding of Bard to Gemini came with the release of Gemma 2 models, which gave developers powerful tools and helped Google claw its way back into the AI race. OpenAI’s GPT series remained the gold standard, tackling everything from legal briefs to code fixes, while Adobe’s Firefly turned non-designers into creative pros. For once, the AI hype didn’t feel overblown.

2. NVIDIA: Ruler of the AI kingdom
NVIDIA dominated 2024, selling out its Blackwell chips for 2025 before the year even ended. The company raked in $35.1 billion in quarterly revenue, a 94% jump, and pocketed $19.3 billion in profit. It also launched Fugatto, an AI tool for generating and remixing audio, and kicked Intel out of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. NVIDIA didn’t just win 2024; it owned it.

3. Open source software: Proving collaboration wins
Open source thrived in 2024, with AI models like LLaMA 3, Falcon, and Gemma 2 empowering developers to build without barriers. Meanwhile, proprietary overreach backfired — HashiCorp’s restrictive Terraform license spawned the popular OpenTofu fork. And while the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) sparked debate, it underscored open source’s growing influence. When companies closed doors, open source opened new ones.

4. Arm-based chips: The future of computing
Arm processors continued their meteoric rise, led by Apple’s M4 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite. The Mac Mini M4 made desktops portable, the M4 MacBook Pros redefined laptop performance, and the M4 iPad Pro rendered traditional laptops obsolete. Snapdragon turned Windows devices into serious contenders, leaving Intel in the dust. Arm wasn’t just the future—it was the present.

5. Bluesky: The cool kid on the block
While X imploded, Bluesky soared. Its decentralized model, sleek interface, and user-first policies made it the social media platform of choice for anyone fleeing Musk’s circus. Every time X rolled out a new policy, Bluesky gained users. By year’s end, it wasn’t just an alternative—it was the new standard.

6. Matter Protocol: Smart homes that actually work
Matter Protocol finally made smart homes functional by forcing Apple, Google, and Amazon to collaborate. Devices that couldn’t communicate before were now seamlessly integrated, making smart home setups less of a headache. It’s about time.

7. Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses: AR without the cringe
Meta surprised everyone with Ray-Ban Smart Glasses that were lightweight, stylish, and useful. Hands-free calls and subtle AR overlays made the glasses practical, not gimmicky. For once, AR tech didn’t feel embarrassing—it felt innovative.

8. iPhone 16: Stellar hardware, meh intelligence
Apple’s iPhone 16 proved you can still dominate with brute hardware force, even if your AI game is… underwhelming. The base model packed the new A18 chip, boasting a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 8GB of RAM — a serious performance boost that left Android rivals scrambling. The cameras? A 48MP main shooter and improved 12MP ultra-wide lens delivered stunning photos, even if the selfies still look like you.

Conclusion:

As we enter 2025, the tech industry remains a volatile and unpredictable landscape. The winners will continue to push boundaries, while the losers will struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing technological landscape. One thing is certain: The future of tech is full of promise and peril, and the next year promises to be another thrilling ride.

FAQs:

Q: What was the most disappointing tech product of 2024?
A: The Cybertruck, without a doubt.

Q: Which company had the worst year in 2024?
A: X, formerly Twitter, with its chaotic leadership and user exodus.

Q: Which tech giant dominated 2024?
A: NVIDIA, with its AI processors and record-breaking revenue.

Q: What was the most innovative tech product of 2024?
A: The iPhone 16, with its impressive hardware and camera capabilities.

Q: Which social media platform gained the most traction in 2024?
A: Bluesky, with its decentralized model and user-first policies.

Embracing AI Transformation: 5 Ways to Succeed

The experts have declared that we are leaving the age of digital transformation and entering a new era of AI transformation. The good news is that the groundwork from earlier digital change programs, from cloud computing implementations to forays into machine learning, will provide a strong bedrock to build new AI transformations.

However, the shift to an age of AI will involve overcoming significant technological and cultural challenges.

1. Don’t Work in a Silo

Helene Kollnig, Freshworks global applications lead at recruitment specialist Hays, advises professionals to seek advice from as many experts as possible.

"Look at what other people are doing," she said. "Never work in a silo and prepare to be wrong in terms of how you’ve set the technology up." Kollnig and her colleagues have implemented the Freshworks Customer Service Suite, an omnichannel support software with AI-powered chatbots and ticketing.

2. Build the Confidence of Others

Nick Woods, CIO at airport group MAG, said leading an AI transformation isn’t straightforward, and executives must ensure their organization makes a successful cultural shift.

"There’s a big hearts-and-minds piece to this work," he said. Woods explained to ZDNET how he’s working with startups and combining insight with sensor data to develop the AI-enabled future of air travel.

3. Get the Business to Generate Ideas

Anastasiia Stefanska, data analyst for analytics and AI at travel giant TUI, recognizes anyone can suggest great ways to exploit emerging technology.

"Everybody at TUI, not just everybody in IT, is enabled to work with AI at the level their role expects," she said. "We’ve been working on that approach for the past year. We want to bridge the gap between the business professionals and our technological knowledge in the data team."

4. Be Sensible

Dave Moyes, partner for information and digital systems at architecture firm SimpsonHaugh, said every business and digital leader must prepare for AI transformation.

"It’s coming," he told ZDNET. "You can’t bury your head in the sand and ignore AI."

5. Work Within Your Constraints

Roger Joys, vice president of enterprise cloud platform at Alaskan telecom company GCI, said his organization is eager to explore AI in the right circumstances.

"It’s everything from simple use cases, such as using chatbots to help reduce our call center costs by helping people self-serve, to more sophisticated data analysis in customer demographics, merging many different pieces of data, and being able to answer questions about, ‘Who are the best candidates to throw a marketing campaign at?’"

Conclusion

Embracing AI transformation requires a collaborative effort from business and digital leaders. By seeking advice from experts, building confidence in others, generating ideas from the business, being sensible, and working within constraints, organizations can overcome the challenges of this new era and unlock the potential of AI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the key challenges in embracing AI transformation?
A: The shift to an age of AI will involve overcoming significant technological and cultural challenges.

Q: How can I overcome these challenges?
A: By seeking advice from experts, building confidence in others, generating ideas from the business, being sensible, and working within constraints.

Q: What is the role of AI in the future of air travel?
A: AI is being used to develop the AI-enabled future of air travel, combining insight with sensor data to improve passenger experience and reduce delays.

Q: How can I ensure the success of AI transformation in my organization?
A: By working collaboratively with experts, building confidence in others, generating ideas from the business, being sensible, and working within constraints.

Workforce Development in the Age of AI

AI is fueling a lot of change in all ecosystems right now, disrupting how we think about traditional economic development — how states and countries plan, how they stay competitive globally, and how they develop their workforces. Providing AI education, embracing the technology, and addressing workforce challenges are all critical for future workplace development.

AI Education Crucial at All Levels

Educating people on what AI can do, and how the current generation of AI-powered tools work, is the starting point. AI education must come at all levels, according to Louis Stewart, head of strategic initiatives for NVIDIA’s global developer ecosystem. Higher education systems, in particular, need to be thinking about what’s coming next, so graduating students can optimize their employability.

Nobody Gets Left Out

Beyond the classroom, a comprehensive view of AI education would expose people in the broader community to AI learning opportunities, Stewart said. His experience in the public sector informs his decidedly inclusive view on the matter. Before joining NVIDIA four years ago, Stewart spent more than a decade working for the state of California, and then its capital city of Sacramento.

Diverse Approaches to AI Implementation

Public-private partnerships are critical to implementing AI across the U.S. and beyond. NVIDIA is partnering with states and higher education systems across the country for AI workforce development. And the programs being put in place are just as diverse as the states themselves.

Embrace Technology, Embrace the Future

Stewart said it’s important to encourage individuals, businesses, and other organizations to actively engage with AI tools and develop an understanding of how they’re benefiting the workforce landscape. "Now is not the time to stay on the sidelines," he said. "This is the time to jump in and start understanding."

Conclusion

In conclusion, workforce development is crucial in the age of AI. Education, embracing technology, and addressing workforce challenges are all critical for future workplace development. AI education must come at all levels, from kindergarten to higher education, and beyond. Public-private partnerships are essential for implementing AI across the U.S. and beyond. By embracing the future and actively engaging with AI tools, we can shape our collective future and ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to all.

FAQs

Q: What is the importance of AI education in the age of AI?
A: AI education is crucial for understanding what AI can do and how it works, ensuring that graduating students can optimize their employability and be part of the broader evolution.

Q: How can businesses and organizations benefit from AI?
A: By actively engaging with AI tools and developing an understanding of how they benefit the workforce landscape, businesses can transform operations and play a crucial part in developing the workforce.

Q: What is the role of public-private partnerships in implementing AI?
A: Public-private partnerships are critical to implementing AI across the U.S. and beyond, with NVIDIA partnering with states and higher education systems to develop AI workforce development programs.

Q: What is the importance of inclusivity in AI education?
A: Inclusivity is essential, as AI education must expose people in the broader community to AI learning opportunities, and everyone must be included in the progress.