What to expect from AI in 2025: Innovations shaping the future

Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, the field of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been buzzing with activity, with the technology progressively embedding itself into various industries. The year 2025 is poised to be a pivotal moment, marked by groundbreaking innovations that are set to redefine the sector.

The rise of AI agents  

AI agents are emerging as the next logical step in generative AI’s evolution. Unlike traditional models that simply respond to queries, these agents can autonomously execute multiple consecutive actions to achieve a desired outcome. Their strength lies in their ability to integrate data from diverse sources, draw meaningful conclusions, and interact proactively with other systems or platforms.

For instance, an AI agent could directly order your preferred meal on Uber Eats through a voice command. Companies like Microsoft and Anthropic have already introduced such agents, with OpenAI expected to follow suit soon. Large language models (LLMs) with advanced reasoning capabilities are fueling this trend, as seen with GPT-o1.

AI assistants like Siri and Alexa are also expected to heavily rely on these systems in the future. They could handle a wide range of tasks, such as automatically planning travel routes based on traffic and user preferences or setting intelligent reminders tied to habits and schedules—like notifying users to pay bills or purchase gifts.

Enhanced collaboration between humans and AI at work  

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace—not by replacing human workers en masse, but by alleviating the burden of repetitive and time-consuming tasks. This allows employees to focus on their core responsibilities, fostering productivity.

As AI models grow increasingly adept at managing complex, long-term tasks, businesses are exploring deeper integration of these tools into their operations. This shift will see humans and AI working side by side, forming a tandem that optimizes efficiency.

However, this new dynamic raises critical questions about the future of human resource management. Analysts at Goldman Sachs predict that HR departments may evolve into “hybrid resource management” centers, overseeing both human employees and AI tools. Managers will need to develop new skills to lead these hybrid teams effectively, embracing a workplace where human-machine collaboration becomes the norm.

Transforming the gaming industry  

Generative AI holds immense potential to revolutionize the gaming sector. While much of this has been speculative until now, companies like Microsoft and Google are making significant strides in leveraging AI for gaming innovation.

For example, Google’s DeepMind has developed Genie, a model capable of transforming a single image into a playable 2D platform game. Its successor, Genie 2, takes this concept further, generating entire virtual worlds from a single starting image.

The possibilities are staggering. Game designers are exploring how AI could transform player experiences, potentially creating non-player characters (NPCs) that adapt their reactions and responses dynamically. By 2025, gamers may witness the initial stages of this transformative technology.

Bridging generative AI and robotics  

Generative AI is also making waves in robotics. Language models are beginning to extend their capabilities into the physical world, marking a crucial step in their development. Integrating these models into robotic systems or devices is a natural progression.

In recent months, companies like Tesla and Figure, which focus on humanoid robots, have made significant advancements. Generative AI is playing a key role in accelerating these developments, enabling robots to reason, perform complex tasks, and engage in meaningful conversations with humans.

This shift is also evident in the realm of connected devices. AI’s ability to elevate consumer hardware is transforming ordinary components into highly sophisticated tools. A notable example is Meta AI’s integration into Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which enhances the device’s functionality and user experience.

Pioneering new scientific frontiers  

AI is increasingly cementing its role as a cornerstone of scientific discovery. Recent breakthroughs underscore its transformative potential, particularly in the natural sciences. In October, Google DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on AlphaFold, a tool that solves the complex problem of protein folding. Similarly, David Baker was recognized for his innovations in designing novel proteins. These achievements highlight how AI, when trained on rich datasets, can accelerate progress in traditionally slow-moving fields.

Momentum is building in materials science as well. Meta has released extensive datasets and models aimed at expediting the discovery of new materials. Meanwhile, Hugging Face and the startup Entalpic have launched LeMaterial, an open-source initiative to standardize existing data in the field. OpenAI has also made its latest model available to researchers for experimentation, paving the way for generative AI to become a vital tool in scientific exploration.