Tech & Comms Challenges, Opportunities & Predictions for 2025
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The pace of technological change continues to accelerate, delivering groundbreaking innovations alongside increasingly complex challenges. From advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing to an intensified focus on cybersecurity and data privacy, the future promises transformative developments across industries.
Cybersecurity remains a top priority as cyber threats grow more sophisticated and widespread. The rapid digitisation of industries and the proliferation of connected devices make safeguarding sensitive data and critical infrastructure more essential than ever. While AI offers powerful tools to enhance security, its advancement also introduces new vulnerabilities.
Quantum computing poses a unique challenge to encryption. If quantum computers achieve sufficient capability, they could undermine widely used encryption protocols. In response, cryptographers are developing post-quantum cryptography algorithms designed to withstand attacks from both classical and quantum computers, ensuring robust protection for the future.
AI’s rise will continue to drive innovation in sectors such as healthcare and finance, but brings ethical and regulatory challenges to the forefront. Autonomous AI systems require robust frameworks to ensure their responsible use. Governments and regulatory bodies are already tackling issues such as bias, transparency, and accountability in AI. They aim to balance innovation with the protection of individual rights and societal values.
As data becomes increasingly valuable, questions of data ownership will continue, particularly in cases where data is generated by multiple parties. Access to and regulation of data, notably in relation to children’s data, will be prominent in 2025. Looking ahead, the technological landscape in 2025 will likely be defined by stronger cybersecurity measures, more efficient data management practices, and the ethical evolution of AI, all grounded in solid regulatory frameworks.
From the promise of Web3 and the Metaverse to the profound implications of ESG and the cutting-edge possibilities of quantum computing, the next chapter of technology is unfolding with breathtaking speed. This latest instalment of Bird & Bird’s Tech Predictions dives into ten critical areas, offering expert insights from our global Tech & Comms lawyers and advisors to help you navigate the ever-evolving technological environment.
Across the globe, our clients consistently identify ten areas that significantly impact their business: Artificial Intelligence; Data; Cybersecurity; Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG); Digital Infrastructure; Cloud, Edge Computing and 5G; Quantum Computing; NFTs, Tokens, and Blockchain; IoT, Smart & Connected Devices; Web3 and the Metaverse.
Our 2025 report gathers predictions and observations from our global Tech & Comms lawyers. It looks at these ten specific areas and discusses the expected developments in the coming year.
