The rapid rise of generative AI in 2024 forced companies to evaluate both its potential and risks. This wave of innovation raised important questions: How do you adopt transformative technologies without disrupting your core operations? And, just as importantly, how do you determine which tools are worth the investment?
As businesses reflect on their AI strategies, many are already bracing for the next technological shift poised to reshape industries. To help you stay ahead, Forbes Technology Council members each share the next game-changing technology they believe will define the near future—and the challenges it may bring.
1. Using AI To Redefine Home And Work
Integrating advanced multimodal AI—such as self-driving cars, specialized robots for medical procedures or factory work, and general-purpose robots as home assistants—will be the next major shift for industries. These systems will dramatically lower the cost of services, but aligning their adoption with societal expectations, trust and regulatory norms will be critical for large-scale success. – Sarthak Handa, Amazon Web Services
2. Leveraging Quantum Computing To Challenge Encryption
The next quantum leap will probably be in quantum computing. There will soon be the possibility of the most disruptive advances in both data processing and encryption within industries. Quantum technology has the potential to yield advances in the industries of AI, cryptography and logistics—hence, it is worth watching in detail. – David Barberá Costarrosa, Beeping Fulfilment
3. Revolutionizing Science With AI-Driven Discoveries
AI for scientific discovery is emerging as the next game-changer, accelerating breakthroughs in medicine and materials science. It processes vast datasets, identifying patterns humans might miss. Industries will grapple with its disruptive potential, ethical concerns and need for new expertise. Early adopters may gain significant advantages, making preparation crucial. – Anil Kumar Moka, Capital One
4. Fueling Automation With Real-Time Data
Data processing and AI infrastructure at the edge will be a priority for organizations in 2025, helping to drive automation as pressure grows for more applications that use real-time data. At the same time, organizations will prioritize streaming technologies when architecting new applications to better facilitate data sharing across different domains within the business. – Guillaume Aymé, Lenses.io
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5. Optimizing Finance And Security With Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is set to be a game-changer. It promises breakthroughs in portfolio optimization, risk analysis and fraud detection by processing vast datasets at unparalleled speeds. It also threatens traditional encryption methods, posing risks to financial transactions and data security. As quantum technology matures, firms must invest in quantum-safe solutions to safeguard assets. – Piyush Ranjan, Barclays Inc. USA
6. Reshaping Industry Roles With Agentic AI
As industries adapt to generative AI, the next transformative technology poised to reshape sectors is agentic AI. Unlike traditional AI, which follows predefined instructions, agentic AI operates autonomously, setting and pursuing its own goals. This capability enables it to perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention, making it invaluable in core industries. – Rajdeep Biswas, Neudesic, an IBM Company
7. Preparing For New Security Challenges With Quantum
The next game-changing technology industries will face is quantum computing. Its potential to solve complex problems in cryptography, logistics and drug discovery at unprecedented speeds will revolutionize sectors. However, integrating it will challenge industries to rethink security, upskill workforces and develop application strategies, making it both transformative and demanding. – Hemanth Volikatla, SAP America Inc.
8. Improving Your Creative Work With AI Assistants
AI assistants are a really smart concept and aren’t far away from helping creative people work smarter. Imagine a tool you can brainstorm with, ask for recommended next steps and draw on past data to refine a campaign or project. These assistants will help streamline your path through a tool to improve your workflow as well as help you make better creative decisions. – Andrew Fingerman, PhotoShelter
9. Driving Workflow Efficiency With AI Agents
The next game-changing technology industries will face is the rise of AI-driven, multi-agent systems. These systems enable autonomous collaboration among specialized AI agents to handle complex workflows in every industry. Their ability to dynamically adapt and self-manage will revolutionize efficiency but challenge industries in governance, security and integration. – Aravind Nuthalapati, Microsoft
10. Addressing Global Challenges With Biotechnology
Last year saw generative AI disrupt industries. The next “game-changer” will likely be biotechnology. Its potential to address global challenges like food security and disease, drive innovation in healthcare and materials science, and revolutionize various sectors makes it a technology that businesses will soon need to navigate. – Premsai Ranga
11. Boosting Productivity Through Generative AI
Generative AI is still in its infancy in terms of the end-user impact it’s going to have across industries. Tools that build end-to-end workflows to solve users’ problems—leveraging generative AI to create bespoke experiences—solve previously unsolvable tasks and transform the knowledge worker’s day are poised to take over in the next six to 12 months. – Nishit Asnani, Sybill.ai
12. Improving Customer Interactions With AI
The next game-changing technology will be real-time, AI-driven conversational insights across multimodal communication. Integrating AI into real-time systems to predict and resolve issues across channels—including voice, chat and email—will redefine the customer experience. Those who adapt will gain a competitive edge. – Liam Dunne, Klearcom
13. Expanding AI Potential With Quantum Chips
This year, and the better part of 2026, will see significant progress in quantum computing. Just last month, Google announced its latest quantum chipset, Willow, which features supercharged processing power. Now imagine complex generative AI models running on these chipsets, possibly at the edge—this could propel many more use cases around computer vision, grid management and weather models. – Prashanth Bhushan, Cognizant Technology Solutions
14. Improving Human-Computer Interaction With End-To-End Streaming Speech Models
Cheap, end-to-end streaming speech models that can listen to voice input and generate output at the same time will be big. These will bring massive improvements to human-computer interaction. – Wei Duan, 8glabs, Inc.
15. Changing Customer And Employee Experiences With XR
Extended reality (XR)—encompassing virtual, augmented and mixed realities—enhanced by AI is set to transform how businesses engage with customers and train employees. It offers immersive customer experiences and simulates realistic training environments. – Nick Damoulakis, Orases
16. Reducing Carbon Footprints With Microreactors And Geothermal Energy Solutions
As companies strive to reduce carbon emissions, they are becoming more aware of their carbon footprint, energy use and reliance on renewable sources. Microreactors and geothermal energy solutions are gaining traction for powering data centers. I expect the adoption of these technologies to grow significantly in the near future. – Raj Jhaveri, Greenlane™ Infrastructure
17. Grappling With Digital IDs
Industries will soon face challenges with the adoption of digital IDs (Mobile IDs, Identity Wallets and more). Digital ID is an umbrella term encompassing centralized and decentralized systems that support a wide range of credentials and offer varying levels of self-sovereignty over personal data. Businesses will grapple with questions involving interoperability, platform choice and scheme selection. – Dan Yerushalmi, AU10TIX
18. Using AI To Amplify Human Potential
The next big tech question facing humanity isn’t about technology—it’s how humans can scale their capabilities alongside tech infused with AI. AI is an accelerator; if we’re smart, we’ll use AI to maximize human assets rather than displace them. That’s a race to the bottom. Achieving symbiosis—optimizing human performance with AI tools—should be the ultimate goal. – Catherine D Henry, Palpable Media
19. Leveraging AI-Driven Personalization To Improve Retention
As AI advances, it will generate actionable insights—specific, data-driven conclusions that guide decisions like identifying skill gaps or suggesting tailored goals. These insights enable leaders to take meaningful steps that boost retention, enhance employee growth and align with strategic needs. – Cheryl Johnson, Betterworks
20. Disrupting Healthcare With Advances In Neurotechnology
Neurotechnology promises thought-controlled prosthetics, cognitive enhancement and new treatments for brain disorders, transforming both healthcare and productivity. The challenge lies in addressing brain-data privacy and ethics, ensuring its potential is harnessed responsibly for human advancement. – Amitkumar Shrivastava, Fujitsu
