IDC predicts the future of IT: Top 10 trends shaping 2025

The global IT landscape is entering a new era — one led by AI, resilient infrastructure, and a data-first mindset. According to the IDC FutureScape 2025 report, the next 18 months will mark a turning point as companies transition from early AI pilots to enterprise-wide transformation.

With worldwide AI-related spending projected to exceed $749 billion by 2028, the pressure is on for tech leaders to build long-term, sustainable AI strategies — not just hype-driven experiments.

Here’s a deeper dive into IDC’s Top 10 IT Predictions for 2025:

AI Economics
The focus shifts from AI hype to measurable business value. CIOs will prioritize tracking the ROI of AI-enabled applications, ensuring investments directly support core operations.

Barriers to Generative AI
Despite massive interest in GenAI, challenges remain — including talent shortages, high deployment costs, infrastructure limitations, and poor alignment between IT and business leaders. IDC warns that without solving these, up to 30% of organizations may scale back GenAI efforts.

Cyber-Resiliency Becomes a Must
The rise of ransomware and AI-driven threats makes resilience non-negotiable. Security strategies must evolve to support AI-powered operations and real-time risk mitigation.

Cloud Modernization at the Core
Modernizing cloud infrastructure remains key to unlocking efficiency, scalability, and cost savings. Future-ready organizations will invest in agile cloud platforms to support new workloads and AI deployment.

Data as a Product
Enterprises will move beyond traditional data lakes. Treating data as a product — with clear ownership, quality standards, and delivery models — will break down silos and fuel better decisions.

App Metamorphosis
Traditional applications are evolving. Autonomous AI agents will increasingly replace manual copilots, enabling apps that can observe, decide, and act — often without human input.

Inferencing at Scale
As GenAI becomes standard, inferencing workloads will surge. A multi-inferencing strategy will help businesses stay flexible, avoid vendor lock-in, and ensure performance at scale.

Decarbonizing AI Infrastructure
The rapid rise in compute usage brings growing environmental concerns. Green AI frameworks focused on energy efficiency, resource optimization, and e-waste reduction will become a strategic priority.

Unified AI Platforms
Siloed AI initiatives deliver limited ROI. Enterprises will increasingly invest in composite, integrated platforms that can scale across departments and business units, delivering consistent value.

Redefining Work Through AI
AI isn’t just changing tools — it’s transforming how people work. Nearly half of IT and business leaders are already reshaping workflows, roles, and hiring strategies to meet the demands of a digital-first, AI-enabled workplace.

The future isn’t just AI-powered — it’s AI-native. Winning organizations will be those that modernize infrastructure, integrate AI deeply into workflows, and build a resilient, data-driven culture.