Another year has come and passed. With the new year approaching, it is time to predict what it might bring and what we will leave behind. After all, the hype around AI is changing, and the number of cyberattacks is still increasing. Yet, will it continue? Here are my predictions for what is to come.
AI: A Year of Hype and Solutions
2024 gave us the beginning of the end of the AI hype. After multiple earnings reports focusing on AI, the mid-year saw the first time since the ChatGPT release that less than half the public companies talked about AI in their shareholder notifications. We also witnessed an embarrassing back-and-forth at OpenAI, which, on the verge of bankruptcy, is discussing abandoning its vision of a better world and focusing on making money.
However, 2024 saw the first real AI-based solutions. We have gotten high-level, complex solutions like Market Intend’s sales optimization platform and many simpler ones, such as the multitude of meeting transcription solutions.
2025 will accelerate this trend, with fewer chatbots and other toys and more real-world solutions. We will also see more hybrid solutions where AI serves as a tool for employees instead of becoming the face of the company. We will finally see a drive for profitability for many AI companies and initiatives.
Cybersecurity: The Endless Money Pit
AI has dominated the cybersecurity discussion in 2024. Unfortunately, the new technology has not stopped cyberattacks or phishing attacks. However, the latest solutions have become a significant money pit for the IT department. The new year will likely accelerate this trend, with more vendors pushing their AI to solve the crisis.
Yet, the tech only hides that IT hasn’t covered the basics. Most organizations fall short on the foundational level, from cybersecurity training and employee engagement to backups and recovery plans. Until we tackle this crisis, any hype will likely fizzle out. After all, a foolproof solution is only a way to search for a greater fool.
Yet, the increased number of attacks, combined with growing demands for ransom payments, makes it imperative that companies improve their cyber defense. If not, 2025 might become the year when it becomes too expensive to run a company with computers.
Open-Source: The Last Year?
The Open-Source Initiative published the first specifications for Open-Source AI in 2024. Unfortunately, industry practices heavily influenced the definition. Thus, the document became rather vague and messy, departing from the practices within the Free and Open-Source Software community. Open-source AI, as defined, is neither reproducible nor does it necessarily have to open the training material underpinning the AI models.
To make matters worse, many organizations have appropriated the titles of “Open” and “Open-Source” to sell their vision and software without being open. For example, Meta’s Llama models have restrictions that heavily regulate how to utilize the model without their permission once you become successful. Of course, there is nothing Open in OpenAI.
Consequently, the new year will see an increased debate about the title “Open-Source.” Many developers who have embraced “Open-Source” compared to other terms, such as “Free Software” or “Libre Software,” are reconsidering their decision in light of the AI discussions. While the community as a whole might change from the appropriation of the terms, the spirits will certainly not.
Privacy: Old Things Long Forgotten
Cybersecurity and AI’s murky progress this year caused many American companies to forget about privacy and digital sovereignty. Yet, the debate about TikTok and privacy regulations worldwide might bring it back into full force in 2025. Currently, the US is the only developed country without comprehensive privacy laws.
The lack of foresight puts consumers at risk and needlessly complicates the way organizations sell into foreign markets. The patchwork of state legislation also makes it expensive within the US to adhere to the varying standards and regulations.
The issues with TikTok and growing worries about the power of Meta and X might change the outlook in 2025. There seems to be renewed bipartisan interest in Congress to create a national, comprehensive privacy framework for consumers. Let us hope that the push will result in changes in the legislature and the incoming administration.
New Year? The Future Is What You Make Of It!
No matter what the future brings, we are in control of our future. Focusing on education and staying ahead of the curve can help us weather the upcoming changes.
However, we should remember that no matter what IT brings, we are in charge and need to connect with each other to make life worth living.