Business tech trends to watch in 2025

Table of contents

AI in 2025

Generative AI

Cyber security in 2025

Immersive technology

Evolution of 5G

Everything IoT

Prepare for the future with Focus Group

Technology is evolving at such an unprecedented rate, blink and you’ll miss the next trend reshaping your industry. As we step into 2025, businesses are wading through the labyrinth of technology to find innovative tools that will give them that competitive edge, whether it's through streamlining their operations or enhancing the customer experience.

Here’s a deep dive into the key business tech trends set to dominate the landscape next year, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), cyber security, virtual and augmented reality, 5G expansion, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

AI in 2025 - it’s here to stay

As we wave goodbye to 2024 and brace for “I haven’t seen you since last year” jokes, let’s take a look at the technology that has brought science fiction into reality - Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI continues to redefine the business world, driving automation, insights, and efficiency. General-purpose AI is improving exponentially, but we’re also witnessing a shift to highly specialised tools tailored for specific industries. Let's explore the upcoming AI trends of 2025.

Everyone’s a wordsmith with Generative AI

“AI will be the most transformative technology since electricity” – Eric Schmidt.

It turns out Schmidt was right, as generative AI has been adopted at a pace far quicker than technological revolutions of the past. Within just two years, generative AI achieved an adoption rate of 39.5%, compared to the internet and personal computers, which reached 20% adoption after three years. Considering there are people wandering the earth with no concept of a “pre-internet” world, this adoption rate is staggering.

What is generative AI?

Generative AI, to put it simply, is a type of content mill that creates images, text, music, videos, and more. All you need to do is type a line or two of description and watch as AI creates content from thin air. Tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, and their successors were powerful in 2024 and continue to evolve and improve. Using machine learning, this type of content will only grow in 2025, with more businesses turning to generative AI to create content on industry-specific topics with specialised knowledge.

The benefits and challenges of generative AI

For smaller businesses, AI gives them access to what feels like a team of content creators. This means that business owners can focus on what they do best, running their business rather than googling “how to edit colours in Photoshop.” For enterprise businesses, AI can help start the creative process. Generative AI can create the structure for in-depth content or code whilst their flesh-and-bone co-worker adds that human touch.

Let’s look at a real example that’s happening right now. Recruitment companies use generative AI to start writing optimal interview questions for their human coworker to peruse and edit to their liking. As these AI tools become more advanced, reliance on them will continue to grow for creating content, designing prototypes, and even generating code.

Generative AI adoption is not without challenges, however, as energy-intensive training processes have raised concerns about sustainability. For example, global data centres could double their electricity usage by 2030, largely driven by generative AI workloads. As a result, companies are exploring innovative solutions like energy-efficient chips and carbon-neutral operations.

Microsoft Co-Pilot: your AI-powered assistant

To give a brief overview, Microsoft Copilot gives every member of your team their own personal assistant. In 2024, Copilot was so effective in assisting professionals that 68% of users noticed an improvement in the quality of their work, showcasing its substantial impact on productivity and efficiency.

Here are specific ways Microsoft Copilot is revolutionising workflows:

• Customer Service: Copilot enhances customer experiences by generating personalised responses and analysing sentiment in real time. For instance, Copilot can draft detailed replies for inquiries, cutting response times and improving satisfaction rates.
• Software Development: Developers benefit significantly from Co-Pilot’s ability to suggest code snippets, flag errors, and even generate entire functions based on prompts. This feature reduces debugging time and allows teams to focus more on innovation and less on repetitive tasks.
• Data Analysis: For data-heavy roles, Co-Pilot simplifies tasks such as creating visualisations, summarising datasets, and generating reports. Analysts can focus on strategic insights rather than manual data manipulation.
• Project Management: Co-Pilot assists managers by summarising meeting notes, creating task lists, and setting reminders, ensuring projects stay on track with minimal administrative overhead.

The rise of specialised AI

Whilst ChatGPT may be capturing headlines, specialised AI is working in the background and transforming multiple industries. These purpose-built systems solve specific challenges with precision, harnessing industry-specific data. Here are just a few examples of how specialised AI is a game changer for several industries:

AI in retail

In retail, specialised AI powers personalised recommendations and drives customer service innovations through chatbots and virtual assistants. Logistics and supply chain operations use AI to forecast demand, optimise shipping routes, and minimise delays. Visual search technology, tailored to the retail sector, allows consumers to upload images and find similar products instantly.

AI in education

Education-focused AI platforms personalise learning experiences for students by adapting content based on individual progress and learning styles. These systems assist educators by automating grading, generating assessments, and identifying students who may need additional support. AI also facilitates virtual tutoring, providing real-time assistance to learners worldwide.

How important is cyber security in 2025?

Technology often follows a pattern: as advancements like AI, IoT, and cloud computing expand, the risks and challenges they bring also increase. The cyber threat landscape grows more complex as scammers, unfortunately, have access to the same technological innovations. By 2025, cyber security innovation will be critical to ensuring resilience in the face of increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Evolving Threats

AI, whilst an incredibly useful tool, also has the potential to do unparalleled levels of damage. Cyber criminals use AI to automate attacks, bypass traditional security measures, and exploit vulnerabilities faster than ever. Ransomware has become a dominant threat, with attackers targeting critical infrastructure, healthcare systems, and financial institutions.

AI and Machine Learning in Defense

AI-powered security tools are the shiny new suit of armour for modern defence systems. These systems detect anomalies in real time, identifying potential threats before they cause harm. Machine learning models analyse vast amounts of data to recognise patterns associated with phishing, malware, or DDoS attacks. These technologies allow businesses to respond faster and with greater precision, reducing downtime and mitigating damage.

Zero Trust Architecture

Zero Trust Architecture is a security model that basically does what it says on the tin - “never trust, always verify.” Unlike traditional security frameworks that focus on defending a well-defined network perimeter, Zero Trust assumes that threats can originate both outside and inside the network. As a result, it requires continuous verification of all users, devices, and applications attempting to access resources, regardless of their location.

The adoption of a Zero Trust security framework is becoming a cornerstone of modern cyber security. By verifying every user and device attempting to access a network, businesses minimise the risk of unauthorised entry. This approach is especially effective in environments with a distributed workforce, where remote access has become a norm.

Proactive Employee Training

You, as a business, can have all the tools and defences in the world, but one flaw always comes up time and time again - human error. People remain the leading cause of cyber security breaches. Businesses are investing in employee training programs to educate staff on recognising phishing attempts, practising good password hygiene, and understanding the basics of secure data handling. Gamification and AI-driven simulations are a simple way to make these programs more engaging and effective.

Business VR & AR: an immersive & accessible future

VR and AR are no longer confined to the realms of gaming and entertainment. More and more companies are adopting AR/VR hardware and software, with 17% of companies actively using the technology in 2024. Here are just a few ways AR / VR technology will be utilised in 2025.

• Training and Development: Companies use VR to simulate real-world scenarios, providing employees with immersive training experiences. This approach is especially valuable in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and military operations.
• Customer Engagement: AR enhances shopping experiences by allowing consumers to virtually "try on" clothes, preview furniture in their homes, or visualise custom designs.
• Accessibility: AR and VR are making strides in accessibility, offering innovative solutions for individuals with disabilities, such as virtual navigation assistance for visually impaired users or immersive environments for those with mobility challenges.
• Collaboration and Meetings: VR-powered virtual meeting spaces are revolutionising remote work, enabling teams to collaborate as if they were in the same room.

The Evolution of 5G in 2025

There are mutterings about 5G in 2025. We’re about to witness significant advancements in 5G technology, transforming industries, enhancing connectivity, and supporting new innovations. Let’s take a sneak peek at what exactly that means for your business and whether you should be keeping an ear out for 5G.

Private 5G Networks

Experts are estimating that private 5G networks will see widespread deployment in 2025, particularly in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. These networks offer businesses dedicated, secure, and high-performance connectivity tailored to their specific needs.

Factories will utilise private 5G for smart automation, logistics will benefit from improved tracking, and campuses or stadiums will enhance user experiences through localised, high-speed coverage.

Greener Mobile Infrastructure

As 5G expands, emphasis will be placed on energy-efficient networks. Telecommunications companies will focus on reducing power consumption through advancements like network slicing, which optimises resources and solar-powered base stations. By combining connectivity growth with environmental responsibility, 5G will align with global sustainability goals while maintaining its technological momentum.

Scaling Globally

By 2025, it is estimated that 5G networks will support as many as 1.2 billion connections globally. This growth reflects the rapid adoption of 5G-enabled devices and the rollout of networks in emerging markets. The increasing number of connections will enhance global connectivity, fostering innovation and collaboration across borders.

The benefits and challenges of IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) is essentially a network of physical devices embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity, enabling them to collect and exchange data. This ecosystem extends beyond traditional computing devices, encompassing everyday objects like appliances, vehicles, and industrial machines.

By 2025, IoT is no longer a novelty but a driving force in optimising operations and enhancing decision-making for businesses across industries. These connected devices create a seamless flow of data, enabling insights that were previously unattainable.

As IoT adoption expands, businesses face the critical task of managing this complex and interconnected ecosystem. Challenges include ensuring cyber security in the face of increased attack surfaces and managing the sheer volume of data, which will require robust processing and storage solutions to not overwhelm existing systems.

Preparing for the future with Focus Group

All the different business tech trends of 2025 highlight one clear lesson: adaptability is essential. Businesses must stay informed, invest in the right tools, and build a culture of innovation to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

Focus Group can help guide you through the headache of pouring through articles and keeping up to date with technology that seems to change daily. If you need help embracing AI, fortifying cyber security, or dealing with the endless list of acronyms from 5G to VR and IoT, our team are more than happy to help. The opportunities in 2025 are vast, and the time to act is now.