Unveiling the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025

• Forrester’s guide for emerging technologies of 2025 focuses on maximizing ROI.
• The top 10 technologies include automation and synthetic data, among others.
• Navigating technical debt is crucial for businesses adopting new tech.
• AI scales beyond pilots to deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Geopolitical dynamics are shaping tech investment in Europe and APAC.

Emerging Technologies and ROI: A Complex Interplay

Understanding Emerging Technologies for 2025: The Big Challenge Emerging technologies have become the backbone of innovation in numerous sectors, and their potential for ROI is vast yet often unclear. When trying to evaluate when these technologies will actually pay off, it’s like trying to see through fog—you can make out shapes but it’s tough to discern what lies ahead. In turbulent market conditions, the challenge is exacerbated, as fluctuating circumstances can shift timelines and impact results, complicating the decision-making process for businesses that want to invest in next-gen tech.

AI, Automation and the Future of Tech

Forrester’s Top Emerging Technologies: A Roadmap to the Future Forrester has identified its top 10 emerging technologies for 2025, categorizing them into three distinct benefit horizons which can help organizations figure out how to leverage these innovations strategically. If you’re curious about which ten technologies made the cut, you’re in luck: there’s a downloadable guide offering insights, examples, and a detailed roadmap for boosting ROI while adopting new solutions. This guide is a must-have for any business looking to make informed technology decisions. This trajectory focuses on efficiency—AI, automation, synthetic data among others are all key players this year—but this isn’t just about keeping up with tech trends. The guide delivers a framework for a bold approach to help technology executives see beyond mere experimentation and embrace measurable outcomes.

Navigating the Global Tech Scene

A New Wave of Tech Investment: The Global Perspective The geopolitical landscape is pushing Europe to ramp up its investments in emerging technologies, which leads to fascinating developments. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is racing ahead in the adoption of emerging technologies, making it a hotbed of innovation and competition. In the coming years, the landscape will be shaped by a constant exchange of ideas between continents, particularly as XR technology takes a step back while AI continues to rise. As businesses navigate this evolving terrain, identifying the right emerging technologies to prioritize is crucial for public-sector IT leaders too. But there’s a flip side: without careful planning, the rush to adopt these transformative technologies can lead to a detrimental buildup of technical debt. To combat this, Forrester has developed toolkits aimed at helping organizations identify and manage this hidden risk.

Investing Wisely in Tech Innovations

Building Your Case for Investment in Emerging Technologies As tech innovations start raining down like sprinkles in a summer storm, it can be daunting to sift through and figure out which opportunities merit investment. So, how do you build a compelling business case for emerging technology? Forrester’s guide helps you navigate this especially chaotic landscape by using proven strategies, including identifying relevant use cases. Also, it empowers tech executives to take their AI initiatives beyond small experiments and into the realm of measurable business success—with a sharp focus on scaling those efforts. Don’t underestimate the power of Forrester’s Technology & Innovation Summits—they’re a rich platform for tech executives to mingle with analysts and industry leaders who can help to supercharge their business outcomes through the adoption of emerging technology. Whether you’re in Austin, London, or Sydney, participating in these summits can equip you with the insights you need to make the best out of today’s ever-evolving technology landscape.

In summary, emerging technologies for 2025 carry significant promise, yet they also present challenges surrounding ROI and investment decisions. Forrester has laid out a detailed guide with crucial insights, categorizing the technologies into manageable frameworks that can help organizations make informed choices. With the right strategies in place, especially during these volatile times, companies can effectively leverage emerging technologies to achieve measurable outcomes while minimizing the risks associated with technical debt.