2024 has been the year of GenAI innovation on steroids. Tools like ElevenLabs are creating lookalike voiceovers in seconds. NoteBook LLM is churning out convincing 3-minute American podcasts from hyperlinks. And, last but not least, GPT keeps growing arms, legs, and a few extra brains.
So, what does 2025 have in store? And are we ready for what’s coming?
Here are my 5 top predictions for AI in 2025.
1. It’s going to be the year of legislation
2025 will be the year AI legislation grows some teeth. The EU AI Act is leading the way, much like GDPR did for data protection. This new regulation will set the high-level tone for what’s OK and what’s not when it comes to AI and data use across society. It’s the first real attempt at shaping the rules, and honestly, I think they’ve done a solid job.
The challenge will come in implementing these rules throughout the supply chain. For businesses, it’ll be all about understanding, adapting, and applying these laws without slowing down innovation. The EU has drawn the map, now it’s up to the rest of the world to decide if it’ll follow or build its own path.
2. Regulations could get messy
The US needs to catch up, and fast. If Trump decides against playing nice, it could spell big trouble for the UK and its tech sector. In that scenario, companies here would be juggling EU regulations, UK updates under the Labour government, and potential divergence from US standards.
Two differing paths on AI compliance could mean skyrocketing costs and innovation grinding to a halt. For UK firms trading in Europe, aligning with EU standards is non-negotiable. But if the US takes a laissez-faire approach, they could leap ahead in developing AI that’s more powerful, albeit riskier.
This fragmented global market would be a nightmare for businesses trying to stay competitive across continents. The only way forward? A global effort to align AI regulations, or, at the very least, keep chaos to a minimum.
3. Agentic AI will start delivering value (and headaches)
2025 is the year AI agents go mainstream. These agents are autonomous AI systems capable of decision-making and acting independently. In 2024, they’ll move beyond the hype and start delivering real value. Think of them as bright new graduates. They’re smart, fast, and efficient, but need a bit of hand holding.
But here’s the kicker… Humans hate it when machines make mistakes. Even if they make fewer mistakes than us, the moment an AI messes up – for example in a self-driving car crash – it becomes headline news. The expectation is that machines should be wholly predictable, while humans can be unpredictable. Unfortunately, expecting 100% accuracy even from machines just isn’t realistic.
Agentic AI will thrive in environments where its actions are tightly controlled, much like assigning tasks to a junior team member. Let it tackle smaller, well-defined problems, and it’ll impress. Let it run wild, and well… Look out.
4. Orchestration will take centre stage
As businesses begin to roll out more AI agents, the ability to co-ordinate them within a clear risk and control framework will be critical. AI without orchestration won’t work, as you need to lay the train tracks and get the business in order before you can even know what to automate, let alone how. After all, you can’t see what you can’t manage, and you can’t improve what you can’t see. Orchestration platforms (like Enate) are designed to handle this complexity. They ensure that your AI agents don’t ‘go bananas’ and keep tasks aligned and under control. This isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s going to be a must-have. Companies that master orchestration will unlock the full potential of AI, while those that wing it will quickly regret it.
5. AI won’t just get smarter – it’ll get practical
In 2025, expect to see AI moving away from flashy gimmicks and into the realm of real-world problem-solving. Businesses will stop asking, “What can AI do?” and start focusing on, “What should AI do?”
We’ll see smarter applications in sectors like healthcare, finance, and logistics, where AI isn’t just a cool add-on but a game-changer. The challenge will be scaling these solutions while keeping them ethical and compliant. It’s a delicate balancing act, but one that’s crucially important.
Whatever 2025 throws at us, one thing’s for sure, with AI evolving at breakneck speed, it definitely won’t be boring.
