DISRUPTIVE TECH

Digital addiction , social isolation , looming impact of technology

chronic energy risks and AI demand .

Daryl Plummer , Distinguished VP Analyst , Chief of Research and Gartner Fellow

# 1 Through 2027 , Fortune 500 companies will shift $ 500 billion from energy opex to microgrids to mitigate

Microgrids are power networks that connect generation , storage and loads in an independent energy system that can operate on its own or with the main grid to meet the energy needs of a specific area or facility .

This will create competitive advantage for day-to-day operations and derisk energy in the future . Fortune 500 companies who spend some of their operating expenses on energy should consider investing in microgrids which will offer a better return than continuing to pay rising utility bills .

# 2 By 2028 , technological immersion will impact populations with digital addiction and social isolation , prompting 70 % of organisations to implement antidigital policies .

Gartner predicts that by 2028 , about one billion people will be affected by digital addiction , which will lead to decreased productivity , increased stress and a spike in mental health disorders such anxiety and depression . Additionally digital immersion will also negatively impact social skills , especially among younger generations that are more susceptible to these trends .

The isolating effects of digital immersion will lead to a disjointed workforce causing enterprises to see a significant drop in productivity from their employees and associates . Organisations must make digital detox periods mandatory for their employees , banning after-hour communication and bring back compulsory analog tools and techniques like screen free meetings , email free Fridays , and off-desk lunch breaks .

# 3 By 2028 , 40 % of large enterprises will deploy AI to manipulate and measure employee mood and behaviours , all in the name of profit .

AI has the capability to perform sentiment analysis on workplace interactions and communications . This provides feedback to ensure that the overall sentiment aligns with desired behaviours which will allow for a motivated and engaged workforce .

Employees may feel their autonomy and privacy are compromised , to dissatisfaction and eroded trust . While the potential benefits of AI-driven behavioural technologies are substantial , companies must balance efficiency gains with genuine care for employee wellbeing to avoid long-term damage to morale and loyalty .

# 4 By 2027 , 70 % of new contracts for employees will include licensing and fair usage clauses for AI representations of their personas .

Large language models , LLMs that emerge have no set end date which means employees ’ personal data that is captured by enterprise LLMs will remain part of the LLM not only during their employment , but after their employment .

This will lead to a public debate that will question whether the employee or employer has the right of ownership of such digital personas , which may ultimately lead to lawsuits . Fair use clauses will be used to protect enterprises from immediate lawsuits but will prove to be controversial .

# 5 Through 2026 , 20 % of organisations will use AI to flatten their organisational structure , eliminating more than half of current middle management positions .

Organisations that deploy AI to eliminate middle management human workers will be able to capitalise on reduced labour costs in the short-term and longterm benefits savings .

AI deployment will also allow for enhanced productivity and increased span of control by automating and scheduling tasks , reporting and performance monitoring for the remaining workforce which allows remaining managers to focus on more strategic , scalable and value-added activities .

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