As the dust settles after Web Summit 2024, one thing is clear: AI is not just a buzzword — it’s reshaping the way we work, live, and interact. The “Tech Trends 2025” panel brought together industry leaders who revealed where we’re heading in the next few years. Here are the biggest takeaways you need to know.
1. AI Co-pilots: The future of work assistance
We’re about to see a seismic shift in how we work. AI co-pilots are set to become ubiquitous across industries, from software development to finance. Imagine a digital assistant that not only handles repetitive tasks but also enhances decision-making, freeing up your time for what truly matters. By 2025, AI co-pilots will likely touch every job function, turning them into essential productivity boosters.
2. Autonomous driving: A roadmap for ai-powered mobility
Bosch highlighted how AI is moving from highways to city streets. Currently, it’s all about controlled environments, but advancements are fast-tracking towards AI navigating complex urban landscapes. With data fusion and real-time perception capabilities, autonomous vehicles are closer than we think to becoming everyday realities
3. Hyper-personalization: The age of “a person of one”
Forget one-size-fits-all. By leveraging AI, companies are transforming customer experiences into hyper-personalized journeys. The next evolution? Content tailored down to the individual level. Picture this: two fans watching the same football match, but each receives a custom highlight reel tailored to their preferences. In 2025, it’s all about turning data into deeply personalized interactions.
4. AI-powered customer service and operations
MEO shared their vision of transforming customer interactions with advanced AI chatbots and natural language processing. The goal? Speed up resolutions, improve customer satisfaction, and optimize backend processes. Expect AI to dominate customer service, enhancing efficiency while cutting operational costs.
5. Unlocking insights from unstructured data
Data is the new gold, but right now, 80% of it remains untapped. Unstructured data — think videos, audio files, and social media content — has been challenging to analyze, but AI is about to change that. By harnessing this untapped resource, businesses can unlock a treasure trove of insights to fuel new strategies.
6. Explainable AI: Building trust in the black box
A recurring theme at the summit was the need for transparency in AI systems. Today, too many models operate as black boxes — data goes in, predictions come out, but nobody knows how. Moving forward, expect a push toward explainable AI, where algorithms will not only deliver outcomes but also explain why. Building trust in AI is no longer optional; it’s essential for adoption.
7. Sustainable supply chains powered by AI
With economic pressures mounting, optimizing supply chains has never been more critical. Companies are now leveraging AI to localize production, streamline logistics, and navigate disruptions. The result? A more resilient and agile supply chain that can adapt to market changes swiftly.
Key takeaway: AI is here to stay, but it’s about more than automation
The big message? AI isn’t just automating tasks; it’s redefining industries. Whether it’s co-pilots enhancing productivity, personalized customer journeys, or transparent algorithms building trust, AI is transforming how businesses operate. For those of us in digital transformation, the focus must shift from experimenting with AI to implementing it in ways that drive meaningful outcomes across the whole customer journey..
As we head into 2025, it’s not just about staying ahead of the curve; it’s about leveraging these trends to create value in new and unexpected ways. The future isn’t just automated — it’s intelligent, personal, and connected.
WebSummit2024 TechTrends2025
Co-written with Celina Velho, Project Manager at Liminal Discovery.