Instead, their forecasts reveal continued advances in artificial intelligence, the emergence of nuclear fusion and quantum computing and the advent of more sophisticated cybersecurity.

This article is particularly relevant for innovators and entrepreneurs within the Cincinnati Innovation District, known for fostering collaboration between startups, established firms and academic institutions. The University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub serves as a nexus for creativity and advancement, making insights from leading experts critical for those navigating the competitive landscape of technology.

Below, we’ll look at 2025 tech forecasts from key thought leaders searching for innovation patterns over the next 12 months.

Amy Webb: Futurist and CEO of Future Today Institute

As founder and CEO of the Future Today Institute, Amy Webb uses strategic foresight to advise leaders on developing long-term business resilience and success. She predicts that AI, advanced sensors and biotechnology will dramatically reshape the business landscape this year. Additionally, Webb sees 2025 as the time for nuclear fusion and quantum computing to move from pipe dreams into reality.

Today’s tech: AI, advanced sensors and biotech

2024 marked a watershed moment for AI, and Webb predicts continued growth in 2025. Expect companies to start viewing AI less as an emerging technology and more as a practical tool for improving operations, leading to “a new reality that will shape the future decisions of every leader.”

Tomorrow’s tech: Nuclear fusion and quantum computing

In Webb’s view, two other frontier technologies are nearing the horizon: nuclear fusion and quantum computing. The former is quickly reaching a point of viability for powering data centers and manufacturing facilities, potentially eliminating the need for fossil fuels. “The dream of near-limitless, zero-carbon energy fusion is within reach,” Webb says. “Thanks to recent breakthroughs, fusion machines are on the verge of producing more energy than they consume.”

Quantum computing may finally reach a point where humans can harness quantum mechanics’ potential to revolutionize various fields. Webb predicts widespread disruptions in industries ranging “from medicine to materials science to finance.”

Deloitte: Leading professional business services firm

As the world’s largest professional services firm by revenue, Deloitte offers businesses with tax, auditing and advising options. It forecasts a revolutionary year ahead for AI in the technology sector, with a strong focus on spatial computing and a renewed interest in computer hardware.

Today’s tech: AI everywhere

Discussions about AI have largely focused on large language models (LLMs) and small language models (SLMs), which use natural language processing to generate text. Neither is going away, but Deloitte predicts a greater focus instead on augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) tech along with AI agents in 2025.

Beyond spatial computing, Deloitte forecasts the emergence of “AI agents that can execute discrete tasks.” Models could start completing complicated jobs such as booking flights based on personal preferences and providing useful customer service without requiring long-winded and specific prompts.

Tomorrow’s tech: A heady year for hardware

Deloitte predicts that transformative changes to “[computer] hardware will reclaim the spotlight” in 2025. The last decade led to steady advances for computer software such as operating systems, games and apps. While improvements keep progressing in these fields, Deloitte forecasts larger — and more powerful — changes to hardware components such as computer chips and hard drives.

As with many 2025 tech predictions, the impetus for this change is the rise of sophisticated AI tech. “As AI demands specialized computing resources, companies are turning to advanced chips to power AI workloads,” Deloitte says. “In addition, personal computers embedded with AI chips are poised to supercharge knowledge workers” and transform the Internet of Things and robotics.

McKinsey: Top business consulting firm

Ranked as the world’s largest management consulting firm, McKinsey & Co. helps companies across the world improve business practices and stimulate stronger growth. One of McKinsey’s main forecasts for 2025: a reframing of what it means to be a data-driven organization.

Tomorrow’s tech: Data, AI and cybersecurity strategies

It’s essential for forward-thinking companies to become data-driven in 2025, in McKinsey’s view. One of the firm’s main predictions for the new year is that “nearly all employees naturally and regularly leverage data to support their work.”

Integrating AI into work structures is the main avenue McKinsey envisions companies using to become truly data-driven, especially by “automating basic day-to-day activities and regularly occurring decisions.” That should allow employees to instead focus on more pressing and complicated tasks such as stimulating innovation, collaboration and communication.

McKinsey also sees AI-enhanced data procedures as ushering in a new era of cybersecurity. “Automated, near-constant backup procedures [will] ensure data resiliency,” the company forecasts, and “AI tools [will] become available to more effectively manage data” that’s personally identifiable or proprietary to the business.

Featured image at top: Cincinnati skyline at night. Photo/Mariana Ianovska