Clearly, 2024 has been the year of AI. As we move into 2025, the question on everyone’s mind is: Will the craze continue?
While 2024 has been marked by billions of dollars invested in AI infrastructure, a flourishing of startup creation, and enterprises transitioning from experimentation to large-scale implementations, some newsfeeds are beginning to cast a shadow of doubt. Articles highlighting scaling costs and governance hurdles are in the news, suggesting that the Generative AI (GenAI) hype might be fading.
Some skeptics may nod. “We always knew it,” they’ll say. “We’re just moving from the peak of inflated expectations to the trough of disillusionment.”
So, will the triumphant days of AI — when every CEO felt obliged to mention GenAI in quarterly earnings calls — fade away? To predict what’s ahead in 2025, as usual, the best approach is to separate myths from facts.
Debunking some myths with the harsh reality
Myth #1: GenAI’s business impact is still far away
Imagine you were a translator, graphic designer, or archivist over the past 18 months. With many clients progressively turning to large language models (LLMs), the wake-up call may have been harsh, except for those who quickly mastered the new tools or specialized in niche areas.
And this is just the beginning.
The fact is, GenAI is not only dramatically transforming the knowledge worker space but is also revolutionizing software development, research and development, and tomorrow’s robotics. It’s no coincidence that a staggering 59% of CEOs cite (Gen)AI as the technology most likely to impact their industry over the next three years.
Myth #2: GenAI will never replace people
We’ve all heard the comforting statement: “People won’t be replaced by AI; they’ll be replaced by people using AI.”
Some analysts even claim that AI will create more jobs than it will destroy. But is this true? The data tells a very different story. In administrative services, AI is expected to automate up to 40% of tasks; in customer service, 30%; in finance, 25%.
And the list goes on.
With autonomous agents and robotics on the horizon, even more dramatic shifts are coming. Certainly, those who remain will take on higher-value tasks. In the long run, new job categories will emerge — AI officers, AI trainers, AI ethicists, and more. However, the reality is that we face a period of massive creative destruction.
Myth #3: GenAI is just another tool to add
“I get it,” skeptics might say. “GenAI is just another tool to master. We’ll simply add it to our toolbox.”
Indeed, we see independent software vendors (ISVs) building bridges to LLMs or embedding LLMs into their software. But is simply adding GenAI to an already complex IT ecosystem the solution? Or is GenAI the long-awaited opportunity to truly modernize and rethink enterprise legacy systems?
It’s no accident that intelligent AI orchestration agents are emerging as a strategic trend.
So, what’s coming in 2025?
Top 3 trends to watch out for
The data is clear: we’re still on the exponential part of the S-curve.
On the technical side, innovation is flourishing, with AI hybridization, an explosion of open-source solutions, and a long-term shift toward robotics and autonomous enterprises. On the usage side, the evolution is no less frantic, with three key trends gaining momentum:
1. A move from internal productivity to business reinvention
After focusing on internal productivity, GenAI use cases will shift massively toward enhancing customer experience, reengineering operations, and ultimately reinventing business models. The current focus on back-office productivity, with applications like office copilots and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), is just the beginning.
2. A much-needed shift toward AI-native thinking
The mass adoption of GenAI will require a profound mindset shift. Today, most people are simply AI immigrants, forced to adopt and adapt. However, the transition to an AI-native mindset will take time and effort, as humans learn to collaborate with machines as assistants, teammates, and even coaches.
3. The rise of AI risks and the need for governance
The risks are mounting, including AI-powered cyberattacks and disinformation. Statutory regulations, such as the EU’s AI Act, are beginning to emerge. With great possibilities come great responsibilities. AI security, ethics, and compliance must become board-level priorities.
In a nutshell, what does 2025 hold for GenAI?
2025: Recharge. Relearn. Readapt.
Skeptics are right in one respect. After the initial hype, we are entering the pragmatic phase of the AI journey where we begin to see promises realized but also face the challenges of scaling.
Yet, all signs point to doubling down on AI.
We have only experienced the early signs of a tidal wave. Gear up to embrace the tsunami.
Eviden is a global leader in digital transformation, with a competitive edge in cybersecurity, cloud, supercomputing and AI. With Eviden’s GenAI Acceleration Program, we are systematically streamlining our customers’ AI adoption journeys for a sustainable future, accelerated by AI.
Learn more about the future of AI with Eviden’s GenAI acceleration program.
Let’s connect and discuss how AI is poised to influence and transform your business plan in 2025.
