(Ecofin Agency) - Tech development continues to shake up every corner of the global economy. From finance and healthcare to retail and artificial intelligence, big changes are already underway. Research firm CB Insights has laid out some of the key trends that could define the year ahead.

Finance: AI takes the lead, crypto keeps growing

The financial world is changing fast. AI-powered “cyborg wealth advisors” are stepping into the spotlight, managing investment portfolios with a level of speed and accuracy that human advisors can’t match. These virtual assistants can sort through massive amounts of data in real time, helping investors make sharper decisions.

Cryptocurrency is also gaining ground. Blockchain is now at the core of financial conferences, and major payment platforms are deepening their involvement. When it comes to fintech, falling valuations since 2021 have opened the door for strategic acquisitions. For investors, this could be a good year to snap up promising companies at a discount.

Healthcare: AI transforms how we treat and detect diseases

AI is paving the way for faster, more personalized care. From speeding up diagnoses to predicting outbreaks before they happen, the possibilities seem endless.

mRNA-based therapies are also drawing serious investor attention. This rapidly growing field could soon offer treatments for diseases that once seemed untreatable.

Meanwhile, hospitals are starting to adopt autonomous robots for tasks like surgery assistance and patient rehabilitation. These machines aren’t replacing doctors, but they’re making their jobs easier and more precise.

AI: Open source battles Big Tech, transparency becomes key

AI itself is going through a major shift. Mergers and acquisitions are heating up, especially around tools like chatbots and personalized marketing platforms. But there’s growing pressure from both companies and regulators to make large language models (LLMs) more understandable—people want to know how these powerful systems actually work.

While Big Tech firms still dominate with proprietary models, open-source AI is holding its ground, largely due to privacy concerns. On the military side, the U.S. remains far ahead in developing AI-driven defense technologies, though Europe and Asia are ramping up their efforts.

Business: Spatial computing finds its place

Following the launch of Apple Vision Pro in 2024, spatial computing is starting to take hold in the workplace. By blending augmented reality with computer vision, this tech enables immersive experiences that are changing how teams train, collaborate, and design.

More than half of Fortune 100 companies have started using it. And in 2025, Google and HP are expected to release a commercial version of Project Starline—an ultra-realistic holographic video conferencing system. Nvidia’s Omniverse platform is also gaining traction, helping companies simulate digital twins of their operations.

Retail: Personalization becomes a must-have

In retail, both online and in stores, personalization is now the rule—not the exception. With shoppers expecting more tailored experiences, brands are turning to AI and big data to stay competitive.

Retailers are analyzing customer behavior in real time to fine-tune everything from product recommendations to promotions. Whether through targeted ads, dynamic websites, or smart offers, these strategies are boosting conversion rates across the board.

Smart digital avatars are also entering the mix—virtual sales reps that guide customers online just like a human would in-store. The result? A shopping experience that feels smoother, smarter, and more personal.

Industry: Data centers go greener, space becomes a new frontier

As demand for computing power rises, data centers are turning to liquid cooling to save energy and operate more efficiently. In 2024, only 20% of companies used this technology. By 2026, that number could jump to 38%.

The space economy is also getting a lift. Cheaper launches—thanks in part to SpaceX’s Starship—are making it easier to send satellites into orbit. That’s great news for investors, but also for sectors like telecom and earth observation that rely on space-based infrastructure.

From smarter AI and faster finance to more immersive business tools and personalized shopping, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year for tech-led transformation. Companies that move quickly to adapt may find themselves well ahead of the pack.