It’s 2025 and that means we’re a quarter into a century of this millennium. It’s pretty shocking when it’s put into perspective like that.
The first 25 years of the 2000s were defined by rapid technological advancements and digitalization once dreamed up in 80s sci-fi movies.
As we move further into 2025, here are 6 business trends that we can expect to see:
1. More AI integration
AI will continue to expand across industries and have an even stronger role in the sectors it already dominates.
For example, META announced that more AI-generated users will occupy Facebook and Instagram to drive up engagement.
Generative AI will continue to transform, becoming more accessible and high-functioning.
This will become even more critical to workflow systems. Metadata-driven tools will likely accelerate real-time content creation and add an increasingly personalized edge in advertising and marketing via various media platforms.
2. E-commerce growth
Online shopping is becoming the preferred choice among consumers.
In 2021, $37 billion worth of products and services were bought through social commerce channels in the US alone. This is expected to reach $80 billion by 2025.
With increasingly advanced UX design, targeted ads and increasing internet use (especially on mobile devices) companies can more quickly and conveniently attract new and existing customers to purchase with them.
In 2023, 56% of all online purchases were made through a mobile device (Gauss).
3. RTO vs WFH
2024 saw heated debates between the costs and benefits of remote or hybrid work with a revitalized emphasis on returning to office.
Amazon and Tesla’s strict RTO mandates caused a stir in 2024 with employees expressing great frustration and protest. Other big businesses and tech giants took it as an opportunity to establish and embolden their WFH policies, stating that their employees are trusted and free to work remotely.
In protest, thought leaders, CEOs and workers are digging their heels into the advantages of flexible work. This debate will continue and the expectation of remote work options won’t go anywhere.
4. Sustainability
Environmentally conscious values and practices are becoming increasingly favoured. Businesses will continue to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability but with a stronger expectation to prove it.
Finding a balance between business ethics, affordability and customer satisfaction will likely prove difficult yet is a challenge upcoming and prevalent companies will take on.
5. Bigger & Better Customer Service
More advanced and human-like generative AI will not only automate more business processes but help companies take care of more customers faster.
Dead-ended and awkward chatbots will see upgrades and become more adept at addressing consumer questions and concerns.
Automated tech can also help employees streamline their work, saving time and energy to create an improved experience overall.
6. Burnout culture
The world is still figuring out how to balance a faster-moving world with the limits of being human.
As AI continues to speed things up and shift responsibilities, our surroundings become increasingly digitalized and overstimulating.
Information overload and excess screen time is directly connected to mental and physical health complications.
Hopefully, in 2025, we can use technology to help us slow down and re-center by shifting our day-to-day focus away from rapid information consumption and creation.
For more information on this topic, click here.
Click here for more stories like this.
