IEEE Global Survey: AI expected to dominate technology landscape in 2025

In its latest annual survey, IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization, reveals that AI is anticipated to lead as the most critical technology in 2025. This finding from "The Impact of Technology in 2025 and Beyond: an IEEE Global Study" marks AI as the top priority for tech leaders worldwide, surpassing other key fields like cloud computing, robotics, and quantum computing.

According to the survey, conducted across major markets in Brazil, China, India, the U.K., and the U.S., a significant 58% of technology leaders predict that AI—including predictive and generative AI, machine learning, and natural language processing—will drive advancements in various sectors in the coming year. This interest nearly doubles that of the next closest areas, with 26% of respondents citing cloud computing and 24% identifying robotics as primary areas of focus.

Respondents foresee a broad range of applications for AI, particularly in:

Cybersecurity: Nearly half (48%) predict AI will enhance real-time identification of vulnerabilities and prevent cyberattacks.

Education: AI could power custom learning experiences and intelligent tutoring, with 39% of leaders emphasizing its role in education.

Software Development and Supply Chains: AI is also expected to streamline software development (35%) and improve efficiencies in supply chain automation (33%).

Generative AI, in particular, is experiencing heightened expectations among industry leaders. While 33% of organizations plan to use it in small projects, a substantial 24% are focusing on developing practical applications. However, 18% of respondents cited challenges with generative AI, planning to reconsider their approach, indicating that AI’s path to mainstream adoption may face hurdles in the near term.

In addition to AI, IEEE's survey highlights growing interest in other emerging technologies. Key insights include:

Extended Reality (XR): Technologies like virtual and augmented reality are expected to play a significant role, with 21% of respondents identifying XR as a priority.

Quantum Computing: Seen as a transformative field, 35% of respondents plan to initiate quantum computing integration by 2025, while 44% foresee business-wide quantum deployments within the next three years.

Humanoid Robotics: Interest in human-like robots is growing, with 37% of leaders exploring their use in areas such as healthcare, hazardous environments, and customer service.

With AI's increasing prevalence, leaders are also looking to expand relevant skill sets within their teams. The survey indicates that top skills for AI-related roles in 2025 include software development (40%), AI ethics (35%), data analysis (34%), and robotics programming (30%).

IEEE’s survey reveals that the telecommunications sector (45%) is expected to be the most affected by technological advancements in 2025, followed by banking and financial services (37%), media and entertainment (32%), and manufacturing (31%). These industries, along with automotive, healthcare, and other key sectors, are likely to witness transformative shifts as organizations implement new tech strategies.

Robotics cybersecurity solutions are also gaining traction, with 41% of leaders planning to implement AI-powered cybersecurity to monitor and manage threats by 2025. This shift highlights the industry’s commitment to securing robotics as it becomes increasingly integrated into everyday operations.

The complete results of IEEE’s "Impact of Technology in 2025 and Beyond" survey are available for public review, offering detailed insights into the future of AI, quantum computing, robotics, and other critical technologies that are shaping tomorrow’s technological landscape.

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