On November 27, 2024, Capgemini, a global leader in consulting and technology services, unveiled its ‘TechnoVision Top 5 Tech Trends to Watch in 2025’ during an event in Paris. This report highlights pivotal technologies expected to significantly influence business operations in the coming year, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (Gen AI). This year's analysis draws on insights from a global survey involving executives and venture capital professionals, with results set for publication at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2025.
Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini, elaborated on the forecast, noting the growing impact of AI technologies on business priorities. The report identifies generative AI as a key area of development, suggesting that AI systems will evolve from performing isolated tasks to functioning as interconnected agents capable of managing complex processes like supply chains and predictive maintenance with minimal human intervention. This evolution is expected to enhance operational efficiency and foster innovation across various sectors, particularly healthcare, finance, and legal services.
AI's implications extend to the cybersecurity domain. With a staggering 97% of surveyed organisations reporting Gen AI-related security breaches, the report emphasised the dual challenge of sophisticated AI-enhanced attacks and the need for advanced defence mechanisms. The urgency for robust cybersecurity measures is underscored by a growing reliance on AI for decision-making within organisations, inciting further investments in threat detection and Post-Quantum Cryptography to safeguard against future risks.
In the realm of robotics, Capgemini predicts a shift towards AI-driven machines that can adapt to diverse environments, move beyond traditional industrial roles, and potentially reshape workplace dynamics. This transformation is propelled by advancements in AI, enabling robots to perform complex decision-making tasks previously reserved for human operators. As a result, this development could challenge existing notions of leadership and collaboration in professional settings.
The energy industry, particularly nuclear power, is projected to play an essential role in meeting the rising energy demands of AI technology. With an accelerated commitment to clean energy solutions driven by climate change concerns, nuclear energy is re-emerging as a reliable option. Innovations such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear technologies are expected to facilitate breakthroughs in sustainable energy that align with the growing computing needs of AI applications.
Capgemini's report also highlights the evolution of supply chains, emphasising the essential integration of advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT to enhance sustainability and resilience. This shift is particularly pertinent as businesses navigate increasing regulatory pressures, including the need to disclose the environmental impact of their products.
In parallel, Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, presented insights on anticipated trends in the data centre sector on November 28, 2024, in Mumbai, India. The report underscores how AI is reshaping the data centre landscape, necessitating innovations in power and cooling solutions to accommodate high-density computing workloads. Experts predict that the increasing demand for AI capabilities will drive a shift from traditional infrastructure to more complex cooling strategies, such as liquid-based and immersion cooling technologies, as data centres manage the rising thermal loads associated with AI applications.
Energy consumption is expected to escalate, with projections indicating that data centres will consume up to 3-4% of the global power supply by 2030 due to AI's influence. This looming demand is leading organisations to prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives, with a growing interest in microgrid solutions and alternative energy sources such as fuel cells.
Cybersecurity remains a critical focus within this evolving landscape. The prevalence of AI-enabled cyberattacks necessitates enhanced defensive measures, prompting data centre operators to adapt sophisticated AI security technologies while maintaining established best practices.
Lastly, governments around the world are intensifying efforts to regulate the use of AI technologies, as exemplified by the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act and similar frameworks in other nations. This regulatory oversight aims to address the implications of AI deployment, environmental considerations, and energy consumption, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses as they navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape.
As organisations prepare for the transformative effects of AI and related technologies in 2025, the insights from Capgemini and Vertiv illustrate a clear trajectory towards a future where innovation drives operational efficiency, sustainability, and security across various sectors.
Source: Noah Wire Services