Exploring Technology Predictions for 2025: What Will Not Happen

The Breakdown of 2025 Tech Trends: Expectations vs. Reality

As we step into 2025, a year filled with promise and optimism regarding technology advancements, it's equally essential to scrutinize what innovations will not come to pass. ABI Research, a notable player in technology intelligence, has rolled out its annual trend report that casts a critical eye on technology's upcoming landscape. According to their findings, 2025 will not see the full-scale adoption of several high-profile technologies that have garnered much attention and speculation.

1. AI-RAN: A Waiting Game

One of the most talked-about advancements is the implementation of Artificial Intelligence in Radio Access Networks (AI-RAN). Despite the impressive strides made in this tech domain, ABI Research forecasts that it won't undergo widespread deployment before 2026. Major trials are underway, yet the commercial application is still in its infancy. Notably, major players like SoftBank have hinted at organizational trials, but extensive rollout remains a distant reality. Therefore, while the groundwork is being laid down in 2025, the promise of AI-RAN will likely remain unfulfilled for the time being.

2. Smart Glasses: Stuck in Niche Markets

Another anticipated technology, consumer smart glasses, is expected to be confined to early adopters rather than achieving mass adoption. Even with significant advancements in AI technology, consumer smart glasses won't shift mainstream. Current virtual reality applications continue to thrive in niches such as gaming and fitness, while smart glasses struggle to pitch for broader utility. Companies like Snapchat are indeed launching new products, but these will cater more towards niche uses than widespread appeal.

3. Humanoids: Not Yet Ready to Serve

Humanoid robots have captured imaginations with their portrayal as possible solutions to various societal challenges. Despite ongoing funding and development, the report indicates that 2025 isn't the year humanoids will conquer markets en masse. Although advancements in humanoid hardware are noteworthy, operational capabilities will still be limited. Without substantial breakthroughs in AI, humanoid robots will find it hard to gain a foothold beyond early-stage testing and sector-specific utilization, such as in automotive manufacturing.

4. Semiconductor Onshoring: A Pipe Dream

Amidst these impactful technological considerations, the promises surrounding semiconductor onshoring in the U.S. and Europe are also coming under scrutiny. The year 2025 will serve as a wake-up call, with significant delays in implementation due to persistent challenges. The ambitious U.S. CHIPS Act is a commendable effort, yet obstacles such as EUV machine shortages and labor gaps threaten timelines. Operational capacities are anticipated to stall, with full realization pushed back to 2027 — putting the EU's goals of increased chip production in jeopardy.

Conclusion: Eyeing Future Predictions

While much optimism surrounds innovative technologies, ABI Research guides us with a sobering perspective. The firm emphasizes the critical importance of shifting attention from broad visions to practical implementations in 2025. Aligning with customer values and achieving tangible returns on investment will be crucial as industries adopt solutions amid a landscape filled with challenges.

As we journey through the year, ABI Research encourages tech implementers to deeply analyze market readiness to adapt and optimize for a transformative shift in technology adoption. For a more comprehensive understanding of what will and won't materialize in technology for 2025, download ABI Research's whitepaper, "101 Technology Trends That Will—and Won't—Shape 2025."