AI and the future of ICT: Finding balance between technology and the human factor (Forum article at Jornal Económico)

By Guilherme Ramos Pereira, Head of Strategic Development at 99x Portugal (original article in Portuguese published at “Who is Who in ICT” forum, Jornal Económico - page 41)

The “future” of ICT, always a moving target, lies in continuous transformation. At 99x, we know that much will change with AI, impacting the way we design, develop, and deliver products and solutions. This evolution brings both opportunities and challenges, which we actively explore alongside our clients - a central part of our mission to create real, measurable value for those who choose to work with us.

Beyond technology, there’s the cultural shift within organizations themselves. Introducing AI into business processes requires an ongoing awareness of how the human role must evolve. Striking the right balance between the “classic” technical dimension, the adoption of new tools and technologies, and the human perspective is key to sustainable development.

So, what do we already know at 99x about AI’s impact on our operations? That it automates routine processes such as coding and testing. That the market is moving from basic tasks toward more strategic areas: integration, supervision, and innovation supported by AI. And that skilled developers remain essential to design and maintain solutions in a world where the demand for software will likely increase as AI tools become more widespread.

Our response? We’re investing in innovation, making significant progress in Agentic AI, for instance, through the development of a proprietary multi-agent orchestration platform. This solution leverages AI to perform tasks autonomously, contextually, and with clear goal orientation, a step toward a future where automation and human intelligence truly work hand in hand.