AI Dominates, Quantum Threat Overcome, Social Media Evolution: Tech Forecast for 2025

Looking Ahead: Trends in Technology, Crypto, and Social Media for 2025

Key Takeaways from Leading Experts

• Technology: The next wave of AI will focus on predicting user needs to create smoother, more intuitive interactions, while the rapid rollout of 5G will empower real‑time, high‑bandwidth applications across the globe.
• Cryptocurrency: Regulatory clarity is set to increase, bringing more institutional investors into the market and helping to tame price swings.
• Social Media: Platforms will put stronger privacy safeguards and advanced moderation tools in place to uphold user trust and protect brand reputations.

Tech Forecast 2025: Beyond AI

While artificial intelligence dominated headlines last year, the landscape of 2025 promises a richer mix of innovations that will reshape how we interact with technology.

AI’s Pacing into 2025

Artificial intelligence continues to drive advances in automation, natural language processing, and data analytics. Key questions for the upcoming year include:

• Integration depth: How deeply will AI permeate everyday devices?
• Ethical frameworks: Which regulations shape responsible AI deployment?
• Applications scope: Beyond chatbots—what industries will see AI as a core component?

Emerging Technologies to Watch

Cryptocurrencies & Blockchain

Digital currencies are not just market curiosities; they’re evolving platforms for decentralised finance. Forecasts suggest:

• Enhanced interoperability between blockchains.
• Growth in regulatory clarity leading to broader institutional adoption.
• Exploration of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) beyond art, into real‑world assets.

Social Media Evolution

Social platforms are shifting from content sharing to immersive experiences. Anticipated trends include:

• Rise of virtual and augmented reality channels for storytelling.
• Increased emphasis on personal data controls and user privacy.
• Integration of AI‑generated content to personalize feeds.

Internet of Things (IoT) & Edge Computing

Smarter devices paired with edge processing will reduce latency and improve real‑time decision making. Look for:

• Expansion of smart home ecosystems.
• Growth in industrial IoT for predictive maintenance.
• Concerns around security and privacy as sensors proliferate.

Quantum Computing & Semiconductor Advances

While still in nascent stages, quantum computing promises breakthroughs in optimization and simulation. Coupled with continuing improvements in chip miniaturization, the effects on data processing will become evident.

What This Means for Businesses and Users

Adapting to these trends involves:

• Investing in AI literacy across all departments.
• Building secure, compliant tech stacks to handle emerging regulations.
• Embracing immersive media to stay connected with audiences.

2025 will be a year of strategic evolution, balancing the power of AI with new frontiers that promise both opportunity and challenge.

AI: More agents and data centres

AI Advances of 2024 and the Growing Role of Autonomous Agents

Unveiling Ancient Texts with Artificial Intelligence

In 2024, AI made a landmark achievement by interpreting 2,000‑year‑old scrolls that would crumble under the slightest human touch. This breakthrough showcases AI’s capacity to preserve fragile cultural heritage.

The Potential of AI Agents

Companies worldwide have begun deploying AI agents—semi‑autonomous systems capable of operating across internal networks. While current implementations are not yet fully realized, expectations for 2024 remain high.

• Customer Service: Agents can automatically resolve inquiries and reduce wait times.
• Human Resources: They assist with recruitment, onboarding, and employee support.
• Data Security: By constantly monitoring systems, agents help detect and mitigate threats.
• Knowledge Work: Employees gain a personalized “team” of AI experts, enhancing productivity.

Kari Briski, Vice President of Generative AI Software at Nvidia, emphasized that knowledge workers will see increased productivity and developers will be able to construct sophisticated agents using customizable AI blueprints.

Infrastructure Needs: AI Factories and Data Centres

According to Charlie Boyle, NVIDIA’s Vice President of DGX Platforms, the demand for AI factories and data centres will surge in 2025. These facilities will power the growing number of autonomous agents and other AI workloads.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Operations

• Liquid Cooling: Pioneering organizations will adopt liquid cooling to maximize performance while reducing energy consumption.
• Hyperscale Cloud Providers: Large enterprises are expected to lead the transition, installing liquid cooling systems in new AI data centres that house hundreds of thousands of AI accelerators.
• Software Optimization: Integrating networking and software improvements will further enhance overall efficiency.

These developments hint at a future where AI agents seamlessly support a wide array of business functions, all powered by sustainable and high‑performance infrastructure.

Tech in Europe: Cleantech AI start-ups and Romania’s moment

EU Eyes Green AI as a Major Growth Pillar in 2025

The CEO of EIT Digital, a leading European education and innovation hub, highlighted the potential of green AI as a key driver for Europe in the coming year.

Key Takeaways from Federico Menna’s Interview

• Continued expansion of AI within the sustainability sector could position Europe at the forefront of green clean technology.
• Investor interest in climate‑related initiatives is rising, and Europe’s history of tackling environmental challenges—rooted in its core values—could provide a competitive advantage.
• The growing urgency to address climate change is expected to spark a boom in cleantech start‑ups.

Eastern Europe Surges in Tech Innovations

Menna emphasized the burgeoning tech scenes across Eastern Europe:

• Romania is emerging as a tech hub, especially noted for its vibrant cyber‑security sector.
• Poland and Hungary are also making significant investments in cyber‑security.
• Defense technology—integral to both military and civilian spheres—is gaining prominence, amplified by the recent conflict in Ukraine.
• Estonia and Latvia are leading the charge in Europe’s defense tech landscape, with a focus on dual‑use technologies that serve both military and civilian purposes.

Looking Ahead to 2025

With the intersection of climate initiative, AI development, and defense tech, Europe is poised to become a powerhouse in green AI and cyber‑security. The strategic investments and talent cultivation in these areas suggest a promising trajectory for the continent’s technological future.

Quantum: Beating the quantum threat

Quantum Advances Continue to Accelerate in 2024

Google’s Willow Chip Breaks New Ground

Google announced the Willow quantum chip this year, accomplishing a computation that would have required 10 septillion years on the most powerful conventional supercomputer. Remarkably, the chip performed the task in under five minutes, showcasing a leap in quantum processing speed.

Key Highlights of the Willow Achievement

• Computation speed: less than five minutes
• Equivalent classical effort: 10 septillion years
• Implication: Demonstrates the practical potential of quantum systems for complex problem-solving

2025: The Rise of Quantum Cryptography

While Google’s breakthrough is a significant milestone, it is part of a broader trend with other quantum tech firms pursuing similar advances. The next logical step in the evolution of quantum technology is the adoption of quantum cryptography, also known as post‑quantum cryptography.

Why Quantum Cryptography Matters

The looming “quantum threat” refers to the possibility that extraordinarily powerful quantum computers could disrupt current public encryption protocols. Such capabilities could compromise:

• Online communications
• Financial transactions
• Critical infrastructure

This vulnerability poses a significant risk to both governmental and commercial sectors, potentially destabilizing markets and national security.

Expert Insight

Menna, a specialist in quantum security, remarked:

“Quantum cryptography is poised for widespread implementation because quantum technology is on the cusp of becoming mainstream. Its relevance to defence and governmental operations is becoming increasingly evident.”

Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Quantum Era

As quantum systems evolve, ensuring robust, future‑proof encryption will be paramount. Stakeholders across industries must invest in quantum‑resistant cryptographic solutions to safeguard data and maintain resilience against the future threat posed by quantum computation.

Social media: More regulation and advertisers

Social Media Landscape Shifts in 2024

In 2024, the digital communication arena experienced significant transformations. Elon Musk’s platform X positioned itself as the chief voice in the U.S. election race, TikTok reinforced its hold as a dominant player, and the alternative network Bluesky continued to expand its user base.

Key Observations

• Emerging vs. Established Platforms – Big social media companies are now facing direct competition from newer entrants.
• TikTok’s Rise – With record growth between 2023 and 2024, TikTok has become a central pillar in the social media ecosystem.
• Preference for Privacy‑Focused Sites – Users are increasingly gravitating toward platforms that prioritize privacy, particularly as governments grow more restrictive.

Insights from Digital Rights Advocate Nighat Dad

Pakistan‑based activist Nighat Dad highlighted how authoritarian regimes are tightening their grip on established social media firms, prompting a shift towards independent, open‑source solutions that are not controlled by major Silicon Valley leaders. She pointed out that:

• “Users will be drawn to platforms with better content moderation and user‑friendly designs.”
• “The trend will force a move toward more open‑source, privately owned alternatives.”

Regulatory Outlook for 2025

Dad predicts that global regulation will play a major role in shaping platform compliance, especially regarding content moderation:

• In the U.S., the relationship between Elon Musk and President‑elect Donald Trump may lead to a contrasting approach compared to European regulations.
• She cautioned that “the U.S. could pursue a path that is the exact opposite of the EU’s regulatory strategy.”

Additionally, Dad stressed the growing influence of advertisers, asserting that they are becoming the primary architects of the advertising ecosystem and will dictate future norms.

AI in social media: ‘A mess’

AI and Deepfake Concerns Reshape Worldwide Voting Dynamics

In 2024, global analysts predicted a surge in AI‑driven misinformation amid elections, with deepfakes poised to infiltrate the digital landscape. While the United States saw fewer disruptions than expected, other regions are confronting the full force of this technological threat.

Key Insights from Industry Experts

• Unseen Global Impact: “AI on social media will become chaotic because it’s largely slipping through the cracks on an international scale,” remarks a leading commentator.
• Platform Neglect: The same expert cautions that without proactive moderation, platforms risk losing control over AI‑generated content by 2025.
• Future Outlook: Continued expansion of AI tools amplifies the risk of misinformation, urging immediate action from regulatory bodies and tech giants.

Potential Consequences for Electoral Integrity

As AI systems generate more convincing audio, video, and text, voters may struggle to differentiate authentic information from fabricated narratives. This erosion of trust threatens democracy, especially in nations where digital literacy and governance frameworks remain underdeveloped.

Recommended Measures for Stakeholders

• Implement rigorous detection algorithms to flag synthetic media.
• Encourage collaboration between tech companies, governments, and civil society.
• Promote educational campaigns enhancing media literacy among the electorate.

Addressing these challenges today will be crucial to safeguarding elections worldwide in the decades to come.

Robotics: Not quite taking over our homes yet

Tesla’s Vision for Humanoid Robots in 2025

In mid‑July 2024, Elon Musk announced that Tesla aims to field “genuinely useful” humanoid robots in its factories by 2025. While the promise of robots handling day‑to‑day chores at home feels distant, experts anticipate the first practical prototypes will emerge this year.

What the Robots Will Do

• Autonomous Navigation – Moving outside rigid industrial settings.
• Independent Decision‑Making – Acting proactively in real‑world scenarios.
• Domestic Services – Assisting with cleaning, tidying, organizing items, locating objects, and possibly loading dishwasher racks.

David Reger, CEO of German robotics firm Neura Robotics, told Euronews Next that these early models will mostly support commercial and institutional environments such as care homes, hospitals, and public offices.

Challenges Ahead

Reger warns that rapid advances in AI and hardware, many of which occur behind closed doors, make it impossible to predict whether consumers will be able to purchase household robots this year. Regulatory and legal frameworks will also shape the deployment timeline.

Influence of Political and Economic Factors

• Reger highlights Musk’s close ties with former President Trump, suggesting robotics could become a major market in the U.S.
• The United States faces a shortage of affordable skilled labor, potentially limiting the growth of online commerce, search engines, and metaverse platforms.
• He believes the urgency for swift economic gains could spark an unprecedented push toward robotics, positioning it as a key future market.
• Collaborations and trade links between the U.S., Europe, and other regions are expected to expand, benefiting global partnerships.

As the industry monitors these developments, the first pilot projects in commercial and public sectors are poised to set the stage for wider adoption, while the broader consumer market remains a few years away.

Crypto: Moving markets

Cryptocurrencies Close 2024 at All‑Time Highs

By the end of 2024, digital assets finished the year on new record levels, with Bitcoin soaring to previously unseen peaks.

Looking Ahead to 2025

• Uncertain Continuation: Analysts and investors both agree that a definitive trend for the following year remains uncertain.
• Growing Acceptance: More people are likely to recognize the benefits of crypto and blockchain, paving the way for broader adoption.

Insights from Ledger CEO Pascal Gauthier

Lucas Gauthier, the chief executive of the crypto‑wallet provider Ledger, shared his thoughts on Euronews Next about the evolving landscape.

• Less Preoccupation with Cycles: “Participants will be less fixated on market swings,” Gauthier noted. “The sector’s expansion will allow businesses to prosper regardless of bull or bear phases.”

Gauthier emphasized that the market’s growth will cushion companies against typical downturns, fostering a resilient ecosystem and encouraging continuous innovation.