IT is evolving faster than ever thanks to advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing technologies. In 2024, IT security professionals faced significant changes—partly due to the large adoption of generative AI—that shifted how businesses operate and plan.
Because these changes affect business operations and, ultimately, your bottom line, it’s important to stay updated on emerging trends year after year. Knowledge is power, and staying ahead of the competition with this knowledge helps your company prepare for the future and protect your assets at large.
To adapt to recent changes and prepare for upcoming advancements, here are the top 10 IT trends we can expect in 2025.
AI trends aside, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) take the spotlight across industries. In January 2024, 72% of organizations had already adopted generative AI, a significant increase from the 50% adoption rate seen in previous years since 2017.
In IT, companies are using artificial intelligence to automate processes and enhance data analytics. As AI platforms become more refined, their capabilities will enable business technology teams to make even smarter data-driven decisions as well as optimize operations and improve the overall customer experience.
According to NIST's AI Risk Management Framework, AI's role in IT will continue to evolve further in 2025. However, there’s a large discussion about the potential challenges that could arise with the ethical use of these tools and new data security requirements of AI.
The fifth generation (5G) of wireless technology will continue to impact connectivity, providing faster data transmission and furthering the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). With predictions that suggest up to 75 billion IoT-connected devices in 2025, 5G and upcoming generations of wireless communication will facilitate large-scale innovations, including smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and broader access to telehealth opportunities.
When it comes to IT trends, Quantum computing is certainly an important one. IBM claims that it will increase its quantum circuits to run 7,500 gates and reveal “the first quantum-centric supercomputer” in 2025. If this rolls out, companies will be able to leverage more power to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of existing computers. This could quickly affect use cases involving cryptography, drug discovery, data encryption, and financial modeling.
Edge computing enhances real-time data processing by bringing computation closer to data sources. Continuing its current trajectory, edge computing IT architectures will reduce latency and improve efficiency even more, particularly for IoT applications. As more data is generated at the edge, adopting secure, advanced solutions will become essential for improved performance and reduced company bandwidth costs.
With cyber threats becoming more widespread and sophisticated, cybersecurity assurance isn’t just one of the IT trends to keep an eye on, it’s a staple for organizations across the globe. Innovative cybersecurity technologies like AI-driven security systems will likely reshape how companies protect their data and networks, using AI and ML to automatically detect and prevent security gaps.
Additionally, Gartner previously predicted that 60% of businesses would implement zero-trust architectures (“never trust, always verify”) as standard practice by 2025. Confronting the increase in threats will push companies to adopt zero-trust frameworks to safeguard against inevitable cyberattacks.
The growing adoption of cloud-native technologies—such as microservices, containers, and serverless computers—is on the rise. Cloud-based IT services offer greater scalability, flexibility, and resilience for applications deployed in cloud environments, so more business technology teams will likely implement cloud-native solutions that enable agile practices.
Blockchain technology is no longer just a buzzword, or one of the IT trends, in cryptocurrency spaces. In 2025, it’s going to keep broadening its usability to areas such as supply chain management, wireless transactions, digital identity verification, and healthcare data privacy. Its ability to provide transparency and traceability while keeping data secure makes it valuable for IT operations across industries.
One of the IT trends we’re excited to see take center stage is sustainability. This movement has become a major concern in IT operations, especially regarding the environmental impact of data centers. Companies will be pressured to discover energy-efficient data solutions, green computing practices, and more sustainable supply chains as ESG requirements become more intense. Embracing sustainable IT practices not only benefits the planet but can also lead to cost savings and improved corporate reputation.
Moving forward, there will be more opportunities to use augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in IT. From employee training simulations to enhanced customer experiences in retail settings, AR and VR technologies are finding new applications in every industry, from retail to chemical manufacturing.
Automation technologies like RPA are streamlining business processes by automating repetitive tasks. This not only improves efficiency but also reduces operational costs. As automation tools become more commonplace, business technology teams will be able to focus on higher-value activities while maintaining productivity.
These technological trends will impact businesses' technology stack and their IT practices, particularly related to operations, customer experiences, and competition.
Additionally, industries such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail will be affected by these trends as they adopt new technologies to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
IT technologies are constantly advancing, and 2025 is an exciting year as big leaps in AI, sustainability, and powerful computing take the lead. Businesses must stay ahead of IT trends to maintain their competitive edge and protect their data through every new advancement.
As a leader in IT solutions, Meridian offers services that strengthen your business technology that outlast trends and support future growth. To navigate the changes in 2025 and beyond, Meridian provides expert-managed IT solutions that include cloud-native technologies, cybersecurity enhancements, and automation initiatives that optimize your operations and support your profitability.
For personalized recommendations on the latest IT technologies for 2025, get in touch.