Smart Manufacturing and Robotics
By 2025, manufacturing is going to get a serious upgrade with advanced robotics and AI, ushering in Industry 5.0. By introducing robots which are smart enough to make real-time decisions, the manufacturing industry will see optimised production processes, enhanced quality control, and a reduction in machine failures, all of which should enhance productivity and innovation.
Health Tech: AI-Driven Diagnostics and Personalised Medicine
In health tech, AI algorithms will make diagnostics faster and more accurate, helping detect diseases early and creating better treatment plans. Wearable health tech devices will get more advanced, offering continuous health monitoring and personalised insights which are tailored to your genetic makeup. While these advancements will revolutionise treatments and improve patient outcomes, they come with legal challenges, like ensuring the accuracy of AI diagnostics and protecting personal health data.
Blockchain, Crypto, and DeFi
2025 may be the year that alignment between the UK government and the FCA actually facilitates innovation and exploitation of crypto assets and the underlying distributed ledger technology (DLT). The FCA's recently launched Digital Securities Sandbox will help firms prove viable DLT models for financial market infrastructure, making trading and settlement of various financial instruments more efficient and cheaper. In addition, the government plans to regulate certain activities relating to crypto assets and stablecoins (although it will not be bringing stablecoins in scope of UK payments regulation).
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity will be a hot topic in 2025, thanks to the rising threat of supply chain attacks. The UK's proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aims to beef up cyber defences and protect essential services by improving reporting requirements and giving regulators more power. The EU's Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and NIS2 Directive will set unified cybersecurity standards for the financial services sector and critical infrastructure, respectively. Businesses will need to update their information strategies, audit third-party supply chains, conduct cybersecurity audits, get cyber insurance, and update their incident response plans.
Sustainable Technology
AI will lead the charge in sustainability efforts by optimising energy use in data centres and enabling smart grids to efficiently integrate renewable energy sources. The EU's Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation and the UK's Environment Act 2021 will push for circular economy practices. Innovations like energy-efficient AI systems and ClimateTech startups will help align technology with environmental goals.
Online and Product Safety
Safety is a big deal in 2025 – especially in relation to products and the online world. Keeping internet users – particularly children - safe online is a big deal for platforms and search engines, particularly in light of the Online Safety Act. Platforms may look to implement better tools for quickly taking down harmful content. In addition, the EU’s new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR), effective December 2024, will mean businesses in Europe need to up their game – with stricter accountability requirements for manufacturers, distributors and, importantly, online marketplaces, which must now establish internal safety processes and respond swiftly to regulatory orders
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles (AV) are expected to become more common, thanks to the UK's Automated Vehicles Act (AVA). This legislation sets strict safety standards and clarifies liability in case of accidents. Advancing AI and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology will speed up commercial adoption in logistics and public transport. However, there are still challenges in balancing innovation with implementation costs and public trust.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it! 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year with lots of tech advancements. If you're curious about how these trends could impact your business, feel free to reach out for a deeper dive.
