www.thedigitalspeaker.com Futurist Dr Mark van Rijmenam identifies the technology trends set to shape the world in 2025 and beyond the world stands at the crossroads of exponential technological change and geopolitical disruption delivering transformative advancements across industries and society Yet, this rapid progress brings both opportunities and profound challenges—what futurist Dr Mark van Rijmenam calls the good and the very ugly of technology and humanity The backdrop to this reckoning is a world shaped by the second Trump presidency, where nationalist policies and techno-geopolitical rivalries intensify global disruption While some technologies promise to elevate humanity—ushering in new efficiencies and greater connectivity—others erode trust and challenge societal norms at an unprecedented scale 2025 will not just be a year of progress but one of reckoning where society must confront the dual-edged nature of innovation and regulate in this critical period will shape the trajectory of the coming decade In 2025, AI will be everywhere, transforming industries and everyday interactions. Agentic AI enables autonomous decision-making and task automation but raises accountability concerns Companies like McKinsey and JPMorgan leverage fine-tuned large language models (LLMs) driving innovation and competition with tools like Llama Edge AI improves efficiency and privacy by processing data on local devices while invisible AI integrates seamlessly into daily life AI also amplifies societal issues such as job displacement and filter bubbles and inclusive governance to ensure AI serves humanity’s best interests while mitigating its risks Source: The Digital Speaker trust and truth face unprecedented challenges as generative AI and misinformation erode our ability to discern reality from fabrication Hyper-realistic deepfakes—ranging from fake videos of leaders to government-created digital personas—will sow confusion and disrupt businesses Resilience becomes crucial in combating these threats Families and organizations will rely on practical strategies fostering environments where employees feel empowered to question suspicious activity Media literacy education and advanced detection tools will play vital roles in exposing fake content and preserving authenticity Social media platforms, such as X may exacerbate the problem by amplifying misinformation and reinforcing divisive echo chambers In the absence of comprehensive regulations governing AI and synthetic media bad actors will exploit these technologies The challenge ahead lies in rebuilding trust in a world where even tangible truths can be digitally distorted Addressing this requires collective action and a commitment to transparency to protect the integrity of information and restore confidence in what we see In 2025, the volume of data and content will soar to unprecedented levels, driven by AI’s relentless creation of synthetic information Generative AI already produces 57% of web-based text with projections that 90% of online content will be synthetic by 2026 and complicates decision-making across society The challenge is filtering relevance and credibility amid this information overload AI risks creating a self-reinforcing loop by relying on synthetic outputs potentially undermining its own effectiveness Individuals face data fatigue from constant notifications while businesses struggle with decision fatigue with 79% identifying data management as their greatest challenge the spatial internet and metaverse introduce immersive 3D content making the evaluation of information even more challenging Platforms like Futurwise aim to transform chaos into clarity helping individuals and organizations navigate this overwhelming landscape The question remains: can we effectively harness tools to distill clarity from the flood of information or will we be swept away by its relentless tide The answer will shape how society adapts to an era of synthetic content and perpetual updates tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) will revolutionize finance by integrating tangible assets like commercial real estate and carbon credits into the digital economy Blockchain technology enables fractional ownership and drawing institutional giants like BlackRock into this transformative space with RWAs projected to unlock trillions in value Dynamic NFTs (dNFTs) will redefine asset representation by updating in real time to reflect changes in usage or conditions bridging static ownership with evolving realities Regulatory clarity from regions like Singapore and the EU has provided a framework for innovation while protecting investors and platforms like Fermion and Securitize are leading the charge with compliance-friendly ecosystems Centralized platforms could undermine decentralization and over-financialization could lead to speculative bubbles akin to the 2008 crisis Success in tokenization will depend on secure platforms As RWAs reshape global finance the focus must remain on responsible adoption to ensure a transparent and inclusive financial future while mitigating potential pitfalls In 2025, “The Big Crunch” underscores the looming threat quantum computing poses to traditional encryption systems like RSA and ECC potentially endangering global security across banking a major player—be it a government or Big Tech—may crack a critical encryption algorithm though secrecy will likely delay public acknowledgment for strategic cyber warfare advantages Efforts to mitigate this risk include NIST’s quantum-safe standards and early adoption in sectors like banking and defense driven by startups like PQShield and tech giants like Google transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography (PQC) is resource-intensive requiring significant investment and expertise Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face steep barriers while uneven global readiness—especially between the U.S. and China—risks deepening geopolitical divides quantum computing promises transformative benefits in AI the strategic secrecy surrounding quantum decryption and the uneven pace of preparedness amplify risks As quantum computing nears its “ChatGPT moment” in 2025 urgent action is needed to secure digital trust and economic systems augmented reality (AR) will revolutionize how we interact with the world blending digital and physical realities seamlessly focusing on developing mass-market AR glasses with lightweight These innovations will enable immersive experiences across industries such as healthcare with enterprise applications and diverse pricing expected to boost adoption providing users with contextual information about their environments and systems including risks like real-time doxxing and data surveillance Over-reliance on AR could diminish critical thinking and monopolized platforms may restrict user autonomy AR offers opportunities to enhance productivity and customer engagement while governments must implement regulations to protect privacy and ensure equitable access The future of AR in 2025 hinges on balancing its transformative potential with ethical oversight shaping its role as either a tool for innovation or a source of division humanoid robots will transition from prototypes to integral workforce tools revolutionizing industries like healthcare Robots are already transforming restaurants by cooking and serving food while aged care facilities are exploring humanoid solutions to combat labor shortages and address the needs of aging populations many aged care facilities are expected to be predominantly staffed by humanoid robots taking on repetitive tasks and filling workforce gaps Innovations from leaders like China and the USA 2025 will introduce specialized humanoids optimized for unique tasks featuring forms like extra limbs or non-human locomotion Advances in AI will improve robot adaptability enabling collaboration with humans and effective operation in complex environments Collaborative robots (cobots) are increasingly common Humanoids are set to reshape workflows across sectors addressing critical challenges with innovation healthcare will continue its transition from reactive treatment to a proactive model aimed at predicting Wearable devices like smartwatches and the Oura Ring already empower individuals with real-time insights detecting conditions like sleep apnea and encouraging healthier habits IoT-enabled monitoring systems and AI-driven analysis of medical records and genetic profiles further support early interventions and Mayo Clinic’s individualized medicine highlight the growing potential for tailored healthcare enabling individuals to make informed decisions and prevent crises Insurance models are adapting by rewarding preventive behaviors with dynamic premiums fostering early interventions but also raising concerns about accessibility and equity While proactive healthcare can reduce system strain and improve outcomes cost and infrastructure disparities risk deepening healthcare divides As AI and wearable technologies integrate further in 2025 their impact will hinge on addressing these challenges determining whether they bridge gaps or exacerbate inequalities in healthcare access In 2025, Trump’s presidency will significantly impact technology through protectionist policies Companies like Tesla and X stand to gain from favorable policies while Apple’s China-reliant supply chains may face disruption due to tariffs Proposals to repeal Biden’s AI Executive Order and eliminate Section 230 protections signal turbulence for Big Tech Deregulation will fuel rapid growth in crypto markets bolstered by Bitcoin innovation and accumulation this growth comes with increased risks to ethics with companies like SpaceX and Anduril advancing defense-focused AI tools and autonomous weapons embedding Silicon Valley further into geopolitics and defense strategies As Big Tech navigates this landscape of favoritism its ability to balance innovation with accountability and ethical considerations will shape the technological and societal trajectory of 2025 navigating exponential technological change requires balancing innovation and the EU regulates” reflects how different nations approach this challenge and spatial intelligence but risks ethical issues and societal disruption if not guided by foresight may prioritize rapid innovation over ethical considerations leveraging first-mover advantages but risking long-term accountability Imitation accelerates technological adoption but exacerbates copyright disputes which could stifle originality and slow progress Over-regulation in the EU curtails creativity China’s adaptive model positions it as a potential leader in technological advancement Global cooperation is necessary to tackle challenges like AI ethics and individuals must hold stakeholders accountable The harmony of these strategies will determine whether 2025 becomes a year of opportunity or disruption As we stride into 2025, the so-called Year of Reckoning ten seismic trends chart a world reshaped by disruption and an overwhelming flood of synthetic information challenge our perceptions of truth and redefine our relationship with technology blockchain and Real World Assets (RWAs) usher in novel financial frontiers and quantum computing emerges as both a formidable risk and an unprecedented opportunity Augmented reality and humanoid robots blur the boundaries between the physical and digital realms while advances in proactive healthcare reimagine the very essence of well-being the fallout from Trumpian policies fragments globalization societies grapple with the triad of innovation striving to adapt to an accelerating technological trajectory The decisions we make now will ripple through generations defining whether exponential technologies become tools of empowerment or engines of disparity Let’s seize this moment not with trepidation but with purpose Let the reckoning of 2025 inspire a vision of possibility—a future that is innovative Brave New Coin reaches 500,000+ engaged crypto enthusiasts a month through our website, podcast, 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Ahmed Ishtiaque|2025-05-05T06:03:34+12:005 May 2025|News| Ahmed Ishtiaque|2025-05-05T06:00:26+12:005 May 2025|News| Usman Ali|2025-05-04T19:10:01+12:004 May 2025|News| Usman Ali|2025-05-04T19:05:54+12:004 May 2025|News| David McNickel|2025-05-04T15:25:07+12:004 May 2025|News| Auckland / Melbourne / London / New York / Tokyo own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment University of Technology Sydney provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU View all partners When Google’s algorithm AlphaGo beat South Korean Go Grandmaster Lee Se-dol by 4-1 last week it was a significant event in the world of algorithms and artificial intelligence This is because it represented a new form of artificial intelligence: intuitive artificial intelligence something which is remarkably more challenging than standard artificial intelligence The disruption happening thanks to algorithms is happening all around us but uses smart algorithms to connect drivers and passengers The largest telephone company in the world owns no inventory but uses algorithms to help others sell products Companies like Uber, WhatsApp and Alibaba clearly show that smart algorithms can disrupt an entire industry. But we are just at the start of this disruption and the coming decade will likely see all industries being disrupted thanks to algorithms. Gartner calls this trend the “Algorithmic Business” and it will fundamentally change how we do business With the advance of technology, companies and consumers are generating more and more data. Some organisations, such as Walmart create and store dozens of petabytes a day But collecting and storing massive amounts of data is not enough to gain competitive advantage organisations must do more than simply analyse the data It’s now about what actions you can derive from your data in order to add value Algorithms define actions and they are pieces of software that are extremely good at very specific actions, much better than humans are. As a result, the more algorithms are used within organisations; the more people will be out of a job in the future. In fact, 2013 research from Oxford University and Deloitte estimated that in the UK alone more than 35% of current jobs are at high risk due to computerisation The same research estimated that almost 47% of US jobs could be lost due to algorithmic business within one or two decades A society with nearly half of the workforce without a job does sound frightening but if we prepare ourselves now it also offers great possibilities to drastically improve our societies This enhanced use of algorithms is happening at a staggering pace Already organisations like Associated Press use algorithms to write financial reports at a rate of 2000 stories per minute these are not in-depth award-winning articles involving stock market performance and corporate profits Does that mean robot journalists are putting journalists out of business although the developments in artificial intelligence that can write a readable novel are progressing rapidly Another example in the financial world is the Venture Capital firm Deep Knowledge Ventures this Hong Kong VC fund appointed an algorithm to its board of directors that gets to vote on whether an investment in a certain company is made or not The VC fund focuses on life sciences and age-related disease projects and the algorithm analyses data from multiple sources including clinical trials Although the algorithm is not yet running the VC fund by itself it is a giant leap forward in how venture capital firms approach investments A third disruptive algorithm is Chef Watson the supercomputer from IBM that acts as your personal chef Founded on extensive research and using IBM Watson’s supercomputer the algorithm is capable of creating unique recipes based on all the ingredients in the world human taste preferences and thousands of recipes from Bon Appetit Users can simply enter several ingredients and Chef Watson comes up with a wide range of recipes ranging from very experimental to more traditional how can you apply algorithms to gain competitive advantage and ensure your business doesn’t become redundant There are five steps you can follow to automate your business: 1) Determine which processes within your business can be automated and think out-of-the-box when you do so who would have thought that financial reporting could be automated 2) Secondly, collect and store data. Algorithms require lots of it to make validated decisions. Find relevant data sources that you can use and make your business environment smart by applying the internet of things to tap into new data sources; 3) Ensure that you collect high-quality data because feeding your algorithms low-quality data will provide poor results; improve in a continuous cycle to create better algorithms that can add value to your business; 5) Repeat the first four steps to slowly automate more processes within your business The move towards algorithms is happening fast It’s therefore important for us to be aware how algorithms will change how we do business how we live and how we run our societies because before we know it