Gartner Hype Cycle Abstract

Hype Cycle for Edge Computing, 2024

Published: 15 July 2024

Summary

Edge computing deployments are growing, technologies to support edge computing are gradually maturing, and edge AI is becoming more central to edge strategies. I&O leaders should use the technologies in this Hype Cycle to support both near-term implementations and still-emerging edge applications.

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What You Need to Know

The edge computing trend is growing fast based on digital transformation extending to the physical edge in all vertical industries. Use cases are evolving from those focused on simple digital pipelines and basic automation to richer edge AI and even generative AI at the edge. The growth of use cases in enterprises is driving the need for platforms and standards, which are slow to mature due to the wide diversity of industry requirements, use cases and vendor offerings.

Digital transformation with edge computing is different by vertical industry. Use cases vary, drivers vary, forms of edge

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Analysts:

Thomas Bittman

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Gartner Hype Cycle: Understanding the pitfalls and opportunities of innovations

How does a Gartner Hype Cycle™ report work?

A Gartner Hype Cycle provides an objective map that helps you understand the real risks and opportunities of innovation, so you can avoid adopting something too early, giving up too soon, adopting too late or hanging on too long. Every Hype Cycle includes five phases:

The Innovation Trigger starts when an event, like a technological breakthrough or a product launch, gets people talking.

The Peak of Inflated Expectations is when product usage increases, but there’s still more hype than proof that the innovation can deliver what you need.

The Trough of Disillusionment happens when the original excitement wears off and early adopters report performance issues and low ROI.

The Slope of Enlightenment occurs when early adopters see initial benefits and others start to understand how to adapt the innovation to their organizations.

The Plateau of Productivity marks the point at which more users see real-world benefits and the innovation goes mainstream.

The Hype Cycle is more than just a diagram. You also get:
Evidence-backed insights

Hype Cycles tap into deep research, surveys and conversations with technology suppliers and Gartner clients.

An analysis of objective and value

The y-axis measures expectations. The x-axis relates them to the proven value of that innovation over time.

A long-term view

It often takes between three and five years for an innovation to move through the Hype Cycle, but some fall off along the way.

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