For the second year, AI is predicted to be the most important area of tech in the year ahead in the IEEE Impact of Technology global survey of technologists. The study also found that technologies driving innovation for a better world –– cloud computing, robotics, extended reality, quantum computing and EVs –– will be vital in 2025.
“The Impact of Technology in 2025 and Beyond: an IEEE Global Study” surveyed 355 CIOs, CTOs, IT directors and technology leaders at organizations with over 1,000 employees across multiple industries in Brazil, China, India, the U.K. and U.S. September 13-24, 2024.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AI Will be the Most Important Technology in the Year Ahead, But Still Far From Mainstream
AI tops the list of most important technologies in the year ahead. Yet, respondents overwhelmingly agree that in 2025 there will be a generative AI reckoning as public fascination and perception shifts into greater understanding of and expectations for what the technology can and should do.
What will be the most important areas of technology in 2025?
58%
AI (including predictive and generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing)
26%
Cloud Computing
24%
Robotics
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Companies to Continue to Use AI … Some With Caution
A majority of respondents indicated they will embrace generative AI at their organizations in 2025. Given that nearly 1 in 5 expect to rethink their organization’s approach due to challenges or just start exploring the technology, 2025 will still be too early for mass integration.
At which stage do you expect your organization to be regarding generative AI adoption in 2025?
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AI to Aid Global Security, Education, Healthcare, Energy Needs, Among Others
As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, it’s expected to have a broad range of impacts that improve cybersecurity, education, business and education.
What do you expect to be the top uses for AI in 2025?
ROBOTICS
Increasing Autonomy in Robotics
Robotics is increasingly deployed at the software level to automate cybersecurity defenses and respond autonomously to attacks. In the physical world, robots are being deployed for tasks that are tedious or dangerous to improve productivity and save costs.
At what stage do you expect your company to be in 2025 regarding its integration and implementation of robotics?
QUANTUM COMPUTING
A Potent Game-Changer Gaining Traction
Quantum computing enables computing power a trillion times higher than today’s most advanced supercomputers, and can help companies tackle challenges that traditional computers cannot.
At what stage do you expect your company to be in 2025 regarding its integration and implementation of quantum computing?
AI’s Broadening Impact
"As generative AI becomes more capable of mimicking human creativity, it poses questions about the nature of art and authorship. This growing fascination will likely continue to shape how we interact with AI."
Inderpreet Kaur
IEEE Senior Member
Deploying AI Isn’t Always Easy
"AI systems still face early challenges. Agentic AI systems are coming soon and will offer new capabilities. They’re able to plan and act independently but also bring significant safety concerns."
Eleanor Watson
IEEE Senior Member
AI Will Improve Cybersecurity, Business, Medicine and Education
"AI can help solve urgent global challenges. Our society will be more prosperous, productive, innovative and secure from its use."
Houbing Song
IEEE Fellow
Robots in the Real World
"Current advances allow robots to exit the laboratory and static industrial environments, broadening the benefit of these technologies."
Hector Azpurua
IEEE Graduate Student Member
The Future of Computing Is Quantum
"Quantum technology is the next frontier of knowledge, and there are many efforts to make it more practical for industry."
Euclides Chuma
IEEE Senior Member
IEEE Young Professionals tell us what they think the most important areas of technology will be in 2025.
Sanyukta Pawas
IEEE Member
Euclides Chuma
IEEE Senior Member
Samita Bai
IEEE Member
Rahul Vishukarma
IEEE Senior Member