Tech
AI, Social Media, Crypto And More; Tech Trends To Watch Out For In 2025.
The buzziest acronym in technology last year was artificial intelligence, but will AI keep the pace in 2025? And which other tech will be important this year – will cryptocurrency continue its high and how could social media change?
Here’s a look at what we can expect from tech trends as we kick off the new year.
1) AI From Smarter Solutions To Green Innovations
Artificial intelligence was the tech darling of 2024, delivering breakthroughs like deciphering ancient texts. In 2025, its trajectory continues upward, with AI agents becoming increasingly capable and accessible. These semiautonomous models will transform industries by automating customer service, enhancing human resources, and supporting data security.
According to Kari Briski, Vice President of Generative AI Software at Nvidia
“Knowledge workers will be more productive because they can tap into a personalized team of AI-powered experts. Developers will be able to build these advanced agents using customizable AI blueprints.”
AI’s growth also boosts the need for sustainable infrastructure. Nvidia’s Charlie Boyle predicts a shift toward liquid-cooled data centers, ensuring maximum performance with minimal environmental impact. Europe, with its commitment to green technology, is expected to lead in developing AI-powered cleantech solutions.
Federico Menna, CEO of EIT Digital, sees this as Europe’s competitive edge – “The big important development for Europe next year will be the continued growth of AI in the sustainability domain in green clean tech.”
2) Cybersecurity And Eastern Europe’s Rise
Cybersecurity is set to take center stage, with Eastern Europe emerging as a hub for innovation. Menna notes Romania’s leadership in tech, dubbing it “Google mania,” particularly in cybersecurity. Poland and Hungary are also heavily investing in this space, driven by geopolitical challenges like the war in Ukraine.
Defence technology, especially dual-use technologies for both military and civilian applications, will expand in 2025. Estonia and Latvia, already at the forefront of Europe’s defense tech scene, are expected to play crucial roles.
3) Quantum Computing. The Race Against Time
Quantum computing took a significant leap in 2024, with Google’s Willow chip completing a computation in under five minutes that would take traditional supercomputers billions of years. While this isn’t a singular breakthrough, it illustrates the accelerating pace of quantum innovation.
However, quantum’s rise brings with it a new threat – quantum cryptography. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could potentially break current encryption systems, exposing sensitive data and disrupting critical infrastructure.
Menna notes the importance of quantum cryptography stating that as we see more that quantum is becoming relevant, and is linked to defense, Quantum cryptography will probably be very important for governments.
4) Social Media. Regulation, Advertising, and the Role of AI in 2025
Social media underwent major transformations in 2024, with platforms like Elon Musk’s X becoming a political mouthpiece during the US elections, TikTok continuing its dominance, and new players like Bluesky making waves.
But what can we expect for social media in 2025?
More Regulation and the Role of Advertisers
The battle for social media supremacy is intensifying, with traditional giants facing off against emerging platforms. TikTok’s rise in 2023 and 2024 made it an undeniable force in the social media ecosystem. However, with increased competition comes increased scrutiny.
Hence, privacy-friendly platforms are gaining traction as users seek alternatives to social media companies that fall under authoritarian or semi-autocratic governments with “problematic laws.”
As privacy concerns mount, platforms that prioritize open-source models and user-centric content moderation will see growth.
It is predicted that 2025 will see significant global regulation around content moderation and compliance, especially as social media platforms try to navigate government crackdowns.
However, the regulatory approach will differ sharply between the US and Europe. In the US, the close relationship between Elon Musk and US President-elect Donald Trump could steer the country away from stricter regulation, unlike Europe, which is pushing for more accountability in the sector.
In addition to regulations, advertising will play a central role in the future of social media and advertisers will no longer remain in the background but will become key stakeholders in the social media ecosystem in 2025 and will increasingly influence platform policies, including content moderation and platform growth.
AI in Social Media. A Mess Waiting to Happen?
2024 was expected to be the year AI disrupted global elections, particularly with the rise of deepfakes and misinformation. While the US election didn’t experience the anticipated AI chaos, the problem is far from over. Many have pointed out that the rest of the world is already struggling with the challenges of AI-generated content.
Hence many opine that AI on social media will be a mess because it’s already going unnoticed in the global majority.
If platforms don’t take immediate action to regulate AI-generated content, 2025 could see a surge of unmoderated, harmful content flooding social media channels. Accordingly without strong moderation policies, platforms may lose control of AI’s role in spreading misinformation, leaving the internet more chaotic than ever.
5) Robotics. Not Quite Taking Over Our Homes Yet, But Progress is Coming
In July 2024, Elon Musk made waves by announcing that Tesla would begin producing “genuinely useful” humanoid robots to assist in its factories by 2025. However, don’t expect these robots to start doing your household chores just yet. While 2025 may not be the year of the home robot revolution, we are likely to see significant progress.
David Reger, CEO of Neura Robotics, predicts that by 2025, we will witness the first prototypes of robots capable of navigating outside of structured industrial environments. These robots could handle tasks like tidying up, cleaning, organizing, and even locating items when needed.
Some might even be able to load the dishwasher. However, he adds that due to the rapid pace of development in AI and robotics, predicting the availability of at-home robots is tricky.
Reger said that the development in this field is happening as a fast pace but that much of it is happening behind closed doors. While it would be too early to say whether one will be able to pick up a home robot in an elctronic store this year but that day is not far.
Regulations and legal requirements will also play a crucial role in determining when home robots will become widely available. However, we can expect to see the first pilot projects in public institutions, care homes, and hospitals, where robots will assist with household tasks.
While it’s still early, Reger believes that robotics could become a key market in the US, particularly given the country’s lack of affordable skilled labor. The need for rapid economic success could give robotics a unique momentum, especially since US is the biggest market of the future.
If the US pushes ahead with robotics, this could have far-reaching effects, including partnerships and trade relations with Europe, creating a massive global market for robotics.
6) Crypto. A Market on the Move
Cryptocurrencies finished 2024 on a high note, with Bitcoin reaching record-breaking prices. But will this momentum continue into 2025?
Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger, a crypto wallet company, suggests that while the price volatility may settle, 2025 could be the year when crypto and blockchain technology become more widely accepted and understood by the general public.
Gauthier also predicts that crypto companies will focus less on market cycles, like bull and bear runs, as the crypto market matures and becomes large enough to support the long-term growth of businesses.
What This Means for 2025
The coming year is set to be a critical juncture for technology, blending innovation with sustainability and adaptability. AI will undoubtedly dominate the conversation, but quantum computing, social media shifts, and crypto developments will also shape the story.
As the tech world continues to push boundaries, 2025 is set to be a year of both opportunity and challenge. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or a curious observer, it’s time to buckle up for an exciting times.
