This week, on monday, Gartner Inc., a leading research and advisory firm, released its Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2025 report, offering a glimpse into the future of innovation.
The 2025 strategic technology trends are organized into three key themes by Gartner: AI imperatives and risks, new frontiers of computing, and human-machine synergy.
AI Imperatives and Risks focus on managing the risks and benefits of AI. New Frontiers of Computing drive a rethinking of computational methods.
Human-Machine Synergy enhances collaboration between humans and digital systems.
These trends emphasize balancing innovation with responsibility, addressing risks like security, privacy, and ethics.
In today’s briefing lets have a closer look at each trend, why it matters, and how it’s set to impact the world.
These trends, ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) to quantum computing, are poised to transform industries and redefine how we live, work, and interact with technology.
1. Agentic AI: The autonomous workforce
Artificial intelligence continues to dominate the conversation, and Agentic AI is at the forefront. These AI systems are designed to autonomously make decisions and take actions to achieve specific goals—without human intervention.
By 2028, Gartner predicts that 15% of daily business decisions will be made by Agentic AI, up from virtually none in 2024. Imagine AI systems handling customer support, managing supply chains, or even making financial decisions.
Ambuj Kumar, founder of AI security firm Simbian, highlights the potential: “In industries like cybersecurity, where there’s a shortage of 3.5 million workers, AI agents could provide virtual employees, working around the clock, at a fraction of the cost of human labor.”
As businesses look to scale and manage increasingly complex tasks, Agentic AI promises to boost productivity and reduce operational costs. It’s a game-changer for companies seeking efficiency and innovation.
2. AI governance platforms: Keeping AI ethical
With AI’s growing presence comes a heightened need for regulation. AI Governance Platforms help ensure that AI systems are transparent, fair, and ethical.
These platforms manage how AI is developed, ensuring it aligns with an organization’s values and societal expectations.
By 2028, companies that implement AI governance are expected to have 40% fewer ethical incidents than those without such systems.
Mark Vena, an analyst at SmartTech Research, emphasized, “Governance platforms are essential for preventing AI from producing biased or discriminatory outcomes, protecting businesses from reputational damage.”
As AI becomes more embedded in everyday decisions, ensuring these systems act ethically and responsibly will be critical.
Governance platforms will be the gatekeepers of trust in AI, especially in highly regulated industries like finance and healthcare.
3. Disinformation security: battling fake news with AI
In the digital age, disinformation is one of the greatest challenges businesses face. From fake news to deepfakes, bad actors are constantly finding new ways to spread false information.
Gartner predicts that by 2028, 50% of enterprises will adopt products specifically designed to combat disinformation, up from just 5% today.
As Rob Enderle, president of the Enderle Group, put it, “AI can make decisions based on bad information far more quickly than humans, so addressing disinformation is critical to ensuring these systems make the right choices.”
Whether it’s protecting a brand’s reputation or ensuring AI makes decisions based on accurate data, disinformation security will be vital for businesses looking to thrive in a hyper-connected world.
4. Post-quantum cryptography: Protecting data from future threats
Quantum computing is set to revolutionize many industries, but it also poses a serious threat to current encryption methods.
Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) is the solution, designed to protect data from the power of future quantum computers.
Gartner predicts that by 2029, most current cryptography will be obsolete, and organizations must transition to PQC to safeguard their sensitive information.
Florian Neukart, chief product officer at Terra Quantum, highlighted the urgency, saying, “Organizations must start preparing now.
The threat isn’t just theoretical—it’s real and coming sooner than many expect.”
As we move closer to a quantum future, ensuring data security will be a top priority for businesses, governments, and individuals alike.
5. Ambient invisible intelligence: A smarter world without even noticing
Ambient Invisible Intelligence refers to the seamless integration of tiny sensors and tags in everyday objects.
These devices collect and transmit data to the cloud, allowing for real-time monitoring without any direct user interaction.
From automatically adjusting lighting in retail stores to tracking machinery health in factories, this technology will improve efficiency and reduce costs across industries.
According to Gartner, by 2028, this invisible intelligence will be widely used to solve immediate operational problems in various sectors.
The ability to monitor environments and objects without human intervention opens up new possibilities for efficiency and optimization.
Whether in supply chains, healthcare, or manufacturing, this trend is all about using data to drive smarter decisions.
6. Energy-efficient computing: Doing more with less power
As technology advances, so do energy demands—especially with power-hungry applications like AI.
Energy-Efficient Computing is the answer, focusing on reducing the energy consumption of computers and data centers.
New technologies, such as neuromorphic and quantum computing, are expected to drive energy efficiency in the next five to ten years.
Gartner predicts significant energy savings as these technologies are adopted, making IT more sustainable.
For businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint, energy-efficient computing will play a crucial role.
It’s not just about saving on power bills—it’s about making technology greener and more sustainable for the planet.
7. Hybrid computing: Blending the best of both worlds
Hybrid Computing combines traditional computing power (CPUs, GPUs) with emerging technologies like quantum and neuromorphic computing.
This hybrid approach allows businesses to leverage the strengths of different systems for complex problem-solving.
Gartner highlights hybrid computing’s ability to handle tasks like AI processing, simulations, and drug discovery—seamlessly blending local and cloud-based resources. For businesses, this means better scalability, security, and cost-efficiency.
Hybrid computing enables organizations to scale operations flexibly, using the best available technology for each task.
It’s particularly useful for businesses with high-performance computing needs, such as those in biotech or AI development.
8. Spatial computing: Augmenting reality for everyday use
Spatial Computing is all about blending the physical and digital worlds. With advances in augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR), users can interact with digital content in their real-world environment.
From gaming to healthcare, Gartner predicts that by 2028, 20% of people will have regular immersive experiences with spatial computing.
The potential is enormous, with applications ranging from virtual meetings to training simulations.
As devices like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 hit the market, spatial computing will reshape how we interact with technology.
Whether it’s for entertainment, learning, or collaboration, this trend is bringing us closer to truly immersive digital experiences.
9. Polyfunctional robots: The multi-tasking machines of the future
Polyfunctional Robots are robots designed to handle multiple tasks, from warehouse operations to healthcare assistance.
By 2030, Gartner predicts that 80% of people will engage with robots daily, up from just 10% today.
These robots are becoming more versatile and affordable, making them attractive to businesses looking to improve efficiency and cut costs.
In industries like logistics and manufacturing, robots will soon be able to pick, pack, and transport goods without human intervention.
The rise of polyfunctional robots means that businesses will be able to automate more tasks than ever before, improving productivity and reducing reliance on human labor for repetitive tasks.
10. Neurological enhancement: Boosting human brainpower
Finally, Neurological Enhancement technologies are set to revolutionize how we think and learn.
These systems, which can read and write to the brain, offer the potential to enhance cognitive abilities, improve learning outcomes, and even reduce workplace accidents.
Gartner predicts that by 2030, 60% of IT workers will rely on neurological enhancement technologies to boost their productivity and performance.
From personalized learning experiences to brain-machine interfaces that improve focus, this trend is pushing the boundaries of human potential.
Neurological enhancement is not just about boosting productivity—it’s about fundamentally changing how we interact with technology.
This could have profound implications for education, healthcare, and even job recruitment.
