Revisiting CIO’s “What IT Will Look Like in 2025”
In October 2022, CIO published an insightful piece titled “What IT will look like in 2025.” This was before the widespread integration of generative AI, making it an interesting exercise to revisit their predictions and evaluate the current state of IT.
CIOs were preparing for IT in 2025 by focusing on:
- Cloud Dominance
- IoT Growth
- Data Management
- AI Integration
- Cross-Functional Teams
- Tech Democratization
Let’s delve into each of these areas and see how they stack up today.
Cloud Dominance
Prediction: Increased public cloud adoption and the expectation of a robust cloud environment to support tech trends like AR/VR and the metaverse.
Current State: The move to the cloud has accelerated, with more companies ditching their on-prem ecosystems. However, the metaverse has taken a backseat, with the move to return-to-office and AI emerging as the more dominant trend.
IoT Growth
Prediction: An explosive growth in connected IoT devices with a focus on supporting, monitoring, and securing endpoint infrastructure.
Current State: While connectivity remains crucial, IoT has not maintained the momentum it once had. The focus has shifted towards other technological advancements, but the security and support of connected devices remain essential.
Data Management
Prediction: A surge in data volume from various sources, with an emphasis on advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning capabilities.
Current State: This prediction was spot-on. The importance of data and data storytelling cannot be overstated as companies of all sizes grapple with vast quantities of data. Advanced analytics and AI are critical in extracting actionable insights from this data.
Cross-Functional Teams
Prediction: The formation of fusion teams that blend tech and business professionals, democratizing technology across enterprises.
Current State: The integration of AI and an increased reliance on analytics has necessitated the embedding of tech team members within business units. There is a growing demand for roles such as Prompt Engineers and data specialists to work closely with business teams, enhancing collaboration and efficiency.
Agile Practices and Automation
Prediction: Adoption of agile methodologies and DevOps practices to accelerate tech capabilities through increased automation.
Current State: Agile has remained a standard practice since 2022, continuing to drive efficiency and adaptability in IT projects. Automation, particularly Robotic Process Automation (RPA), has seen significant growth, streamlining various business processes.
Skills Development
Prediction: Emphasis on critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and business acumen for tech workers, with upskilling efforts to meet evolving business needs.
Current State: Critical thinking has always been a fundamental skill, but emotional intelligence (EQ) saw a spike in importance, although fewer companies seem to be emphasizing it now. The focus has shifted towards upskilling, particularly in AI-related areas, as companies strive to keep pace with technological advancements.
Strategic Planning
Prediction: Creating roadmaps to shed legacy technologies and align talent strategy, vendor selection, and training with the 2025 business vision.
Current State: Developing and committing to strategic roadmaps has become increasingly challenging due to the rapid innovation cycle. Talent strategy remains a critical focus, encompassing talent acquisition, employee retention, and learning and development to keep up with technological changes.
Overall, the CIO’s predictions for 2025 were rather accurate. However, the rise of generative AI has significantly influenced the IT landscape, shifting focus areas and accelerating certain trends. Tech leaders are now more invested in AI implementation, automation, and creating integrated environments to leverage data fully.