Gartner: The 10 strategic technology trends for 2025

Every year, Gartner analysts present the ten most important technology trends that have the potential to disrupt established business models, create new forms of innovation and solve the most pressing challenges of companies. The top 10 strategic technology trends for 2025 can be divided into three areas:

• AI imperatives and AI risks (trends #1 – #3)
  The increasing spread of AI models requires consistent AI governance and new technologies to fight disinformation.

• New frontiers in data processing (Trends #4 – #7)

  The emergence of quantum computers requires new cryptographic methods, while low-cost sensor technology enables innovative business models.

• Human-machine synergy (Trends #8 – #10)

  Interaction between physical and virtual experiences is increasing. Robots are being integrated into daily life and technologies have the potential to directly influence people’s cognition and performance.

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Trend #1: Agentic AI

Agentic AI refers to software programs that are able to make decisions and take action independently. This trend is made possible by the intelligent combination of different AI technologies. To a certain extent, Agentic AI is an extremely competent colleague that derives insights from events that are often not even visible to human employees. The ability of Agentic AI to act (semi-)autonomously opens up the opportunity to massively increase productivity throughout the company.

Trend #2: AI Governance Platforms

With the increasing spread of artificial intelligence, the risks associated with the use of AI are also increasing, for example with regard to legal requirements, data protection and ethical issues. The purpose of AI Governance Platforms is to efficiently manage and effectively control AI systems. This ensures that AI is used responsibly and ethically – in line with the company’s values and social ideals.

Trend #3: Disinformation Security

Disinformation Security plays a crucial role in the age of AI. It is about providing methodical systems that ensure the accuracy of information, verify authenticity and monitor or prevent the spread of harmful content. AI models and machine learning tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It is therefore to be feared that the number of attacks on companies based on disinformation will rise sharply in the future. If no effective control mechanisms are in place, disinformation can cause considerable and lasting damage to a company.

Trend #4: Post-Quantum Cryptography

Given the advances in quantum computing, conventional encryption methods will soon come to an end. Therefore, Post-Quantum Cryptography is needed to provide adequate protection against potential quantum computing threat scenarios. Future-proof systems are characterized by their ability to effectively protect sensitive company data even in the world of quantum computers. It also requires a new level of encryption for intellectual property and other confidential information. And thirdly, it is essential that encrypted messages cannot be intercepted and decrypted.

Trend #5: Ambient Invisible Intelligence

The term “Ambient Invisible Intelligence” refers to the use of small, low-cost tags and sensors to track the location and status of various objects and environments. The technology is built into everyday objects without the user noticing. The resulting real-time transparency is of great value to companies, particularly with regard to their supply chains. Ambient Invisible Intelligence can also serve as a data source for AI and analytics or contribute to the optimization of products and processes.

Trend #6: Energy-Efficient Computing

For most IT organizations today, improving their own carbon footprint is an important concern. IT contributes significantly to a company’s carbon footprint, as technologies such as artificial intelligence drive up energy consumption. Energy-Efficient Computing aims to design and operate computers, data centers and other digital systems in a way that minimizes energy consumption and carbon footprint. With innovative technologies such as graphics processors, neuromorphic computers and quantum computers, significant efficiency gains can be achieved in the future.

Trend #7: Hybrid Computing

Gartner analysts define Hybrid Computing as a system that combines different high-performance computing, storage and network technologies to solve complex computing problems. This creates a hybrid environment that unites the strengths of the individual technologies and is significantly superior to conventional environments in terms of performance.

Trend #8: Spatial Computing

Spatial Computing extends the physical world with digital content and offers users an immersive, realistic and intuitive experience. The trend is based on the rapid advances in the areas of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and artificial intelligence (AI). The spread of 5G and VR glasses such as Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 are making Spatial Computing accessible to a wider range of users. One potential use case for companies is the creation of lifelike simulations for employee training to simulate hands-on learning, reduce training costs and improve skill acquisition.

Trend #9: Polyfunctional Robots

Polyfunctional Robots are able to perform multiple tasks on instruction or in a human-like manner – with positive effects on the flexibility and cost efficiency of companies. This sets them apart from task-specific robots that can only perform a single task repeatedly. Gartner predicts that by 2030, 80% of people will interact with Polyfunctional Robots on a daily basis.

Trend #10: Neurological Enhancement

Neurological Enhancement refers to the improvement of a person’s cognitive abilities with the help of technologies that read and decode brain activity. Optimizing the brain-machine interface helps employees to improve their education and mental performance. In addition, Neurological Enhancement offers the potential to create more personalized customer experiences and interactions.