FEATURE : FORECASTS AND PREDICTIONS
As AI adoption scales , the pressure to demonstrate clear ROI has intensified . We have passed the initial excitement that came with the breakthrough of Generative AI , and we are now in a space of figuring out its practical applications , noted Kelly Forbes , Co-Founder and Executive Director of AI Asia Pacific Institute .
We are not yet using AI to its full potential , but through awareness , education , and careful stewardship , we will work toward that in the year ahead . Organisations embedding AI within real-world contexts while balancing cost and value will lead in driving tangible business outcomes .
Autonomous agents are poised to transform workflows and operations . It will not happen next year , but by 2030 , multi-agent architectures will not be revolutionary ; it will be ordinary , explained Nina Schick , Author , Advisor , and Founder of Tamang Ventures .
Businesses , from Fortune 500 giants to two-person startups , will harness this intelligence at their fingertips . To prepare , companies must focus on building robust data fabrics , interconnected systems , and strategic deployment of agentic technologies .
James Fisher , Chief Strategy Officer , Qlik
Dan Sommer
Authenticity , value , autonomous agents to drive business potential says Qlik
Qlik has shared its outlook for the trends that will shape the future of AI and data-driven business in 2025 . Drawing on its expertise and deep market analysis , Qlik identified three transformative themes for the year ahead : Authenticity , Applied Value , and Agents .
In an era dominated by Generative AI , businesses must address a growing crisis of authenticity . It is imperative that organisations seek trust building and verification of sources , said Dr Rumman Chowdhury , CEO and Founder of Humane Intelligence . Authentic output – based on real data produced by real people with real perspectives , rather than artificially generated ones – will be at a premium in the very near future . Tackling this issue will be critical for organisations aiming to maintain trust and relevance .
Dr Michael Bronstein , DeepMind Professor of AI , University of Oxford , emphasised the critical role of human agency in shaping AI ’ s future . AI is not some force of nature , but our creation , and we need to shape it for our benefit . It is not about machines replacing humans , but rather amplifying human potential and taking us to the next level , he said , underlining the transformative opportunities AI presents when developed responsibly .
As businesses grapple with the realities of AI integration , success will come to those who approach it as a strategic imperative , not a trend , said James Fisher , Chief Strategy Officer at Qlik . Building smart , interoperable data ecosystems lays the groundwork for operational excellence while enabling businesses to uncover entirely new opportunities for growth and innovation . This is the tipping point for organisations ready to lead .
Transformative year for IT asset disposition and e-waste management
As we approach 2025 , the call for businesses to prioritise sustainability and accountability has never been louder – or more urgent . With stakeholders demanding tangible action , IT asset disposition , ITAD emerges as a critical area where responsible recycling and sustainable practices can drive meaningful impact .
Giulio Airaga , Director , Desco Electronic Recyclers
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