Gartner Inc. announced its top 10 strategic technology trends for 2025 at its IT Symposium/Xpo in Orlando this week.
“This year’s top strategic technology trends span AI imperatives and risks, new frontiers of computing and human-machine synergy,” said Gene Alvarez, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. These trends can also help technology leaders ensure innovation is both responsible and ethical, he added.
The 10 trends Gartner believes will drive disruption and opportunity for IT leaders next year are:
- Agentic AI
- AI governance platforms
- Disinformation security
- Post-quantum cryptography
- Ambient invisible intelligence
- Energy-efficient computing
- Hybrid computing
- Spatial computing
- Polyfunctional robots
- Neurological enhancement
Agentic AI
Agentic AI refers to software programs, also known as agents, that can make decisions and take actions independently to achieve specific goals defined by a human. These systems combine AI capabilities with memory, planning, environmental sensing, safety guidelines, and other inputs to autonomously complete tasks, which could boost productivity and improve efficiency. By 2028, Gartner expects that at least 15% of day-to-day work decisions will be made autonomously by agentic AI, up from 0% in 2024.
AI governance platforms
AI governance platforms are technology tools that help ensure AI models and systems are reliable, transparent, fair, accountable, and meet safety and ethical standards, all of which can lead to greater trust. Gartner predicts that companies using AI governance platforms will see 30% higher customer trust ratings and 25% higher regulatory compliance scores compared to competitors by 2028. Key use cases for AI governance platforms include assessing potential risks and harms, ensuring appropriate controls are followed during the AI model life cycle, and aligning governance standards over time.
Disinformation security
As generative AI use grows in popularity and sophistication, so does the risk of it being used for nefarious purposes, including targeting enterprises with false or harmful information. Disinformation Security refers to technology that seeks to protect organizations and individuals by combating misleading or false information spread online. Gartner predicts that half of enterprises will adopt products and services or build features to address disinformation security over the next four years, compared to less than 5% today.
Post-quantum cryptography
Advances in quantum computing will make many types of conventional cryptography unsafe by 2029, Gartner says. That hastens the need for post-quantum cryptographic systems that can secure both quantum computers and classic ones. While it is unclear when we will truly enter the age of quantum computing, organizations like NIST have underscored the need for organizations to prepare their security systems for what is to come.
Ambient invisible intelligence
Ambient invisible intelligence refers to the seamless integration of sensing technologies into everyday environments, operating without user intervention. It will be driven by the use of low-cost sensors which enable scalable and affordable tracking. Through 2027, Gartner predicts early examples of this emerging technology will focus on solving logistical challenges such as real-time retail stock checking and perishable goods management.
Energy-efficient computing
The rise of AI has directed particular attention toward the massive amounts of energy and compute needed to fuel it. Indeed, tasks like AI training, optimizations, and media rendering, among other uses, may be some of the biggest contributors to many organizations’ carbon footprint. Gartner estimates that the late 2020s will bring new compute technologies, such as neuromorphic and novel accelerators, that can assist with tasks like AI and optimization while using much less energy.
Hybrid computing
As computing paradigms continue to evolve, so will the storage, compute and network solutions needed to support them. Gartner describes hybrid computing as the combination of these mechanisms to solve computational problems, which can help solve new problems and broaden technologies like AI beyond their current limits. Gartner predicts these hybrid computing setups will kickstart new, more efficient innovation environments that outperform the mechanisms in place today.
Spatial computing
This refers to the digital enhancement of the physical world through technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). This technology is primed to create deeper levels of interaction between the physical and virtual worlds. Already, this technology is gaining traction in the gaming industry with the Meta-owned Oculus system and in online retail with players like IKEA and Nike offering AR experiences. Gartner predicts that, by 2033, the spatial computing market will more than 10 times its current size, from $110 billion to $1.7 trillion.
Polyfunctional robots
By performing multiple tasks at once, Gartner predicts these machines are in line to replace the robots designed to perform a single task repeatedly. In addition to delivering new efficiencies, these multi-use machines are meant to operate among and alongside humans, opening up new opportunities in manufacturing and creating new opportunities for human-machine interaction. Indeed, Gartner predicts 80% of humans will engage with smart robots on a daily basis by 2030, up from 10% today.
Neurological enhancement
This refers to the use of technologies that read and decode brain activity to improve how we carry out cognitive tasks. This is done through the use of unidirectional brain-machine interfaces or bidirectional brain-machine interfaces (BBMIs). Gartner notes particular promise for these technologies in human upskilling, next-generation marketing, and performance. By 2030, Gartner predicts that 30% of knowledge workers will depend on these enhancements to increase their output, optimize their work, and stay competitive as AI continues its rise in the workplace.
Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.