IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Artificial Intelligence and Automation 2025 Predictions
The IDC study provides IDC's top 10 predictions for artificial intelligence and automation in 2025 and beyond."AI agents are set to revolutionize various industries by enhancing efficiency, improving customer experiences, and enabling new business models," says Ritu Jyoti, GVP/GM, AI and Data Research at IDC. "With technological innovations, responsible technology usage, and workplace transformation, AI adoption barriers will continue to diminish, mitigate barriers, and transform an enterprise operating model."
IDC FutureScape Figure
Executive Summary
IDC FutureScape Predictions
Summary of External Drivers
Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers
Prediction 1: By 2026, 90% of Enterprise Use Cases for LLMs Will Be Dedicated to Training SLMs Because of Cost, Performance, and Expanded Deployment Options
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 2: By 2027, AI Adoption Barriers Will Become Indistinct Due to AI Infrastructure Commoditization, Advanced LC/NC Tools, and Security Frameworks, Leading to Reduction of AI Build Costs by Nearly 80%
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 3: By 2026, 20% of Frustrated Knowledge Workers With No Development Experience Will Take Charge of Transforming How They Work by Building Their Own Agentic Workflows, Improving Cycle Times by 40%
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 4: By 2025, 50% of Organizations Will Use Enterprise Agents Configured for Specific Business Functions, Instead of Focusing on Individual Copilot Technologies to Achieve Faster Business Value from AI
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 5: By 2028, 80% of Foundation Models Used for Production-Grade Use Cases Will Include Multimodal AI Capabilities to Deliver Improved Use Case Support, Accuracy, Depth of Insights, and Intermode Context
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 6: By 2028, 80% of RAG Implementations Will Be Embedded in Generative AI–Based Features and Products, Increasing Standardization and Transparency About the Use of Contextual Data for Such Applications
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 7: By 2028, 80% of Foundation Models Used by Enterprises Will Be From a Maximum of Three Providers as the Market Will Consolidate Due to Unsustainable Business Models
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 8: By 2026, 65% of Enterprises Will Adopt Hybrid Edge-Cloud Inferencing as Organizations Fully Integrate Edge into the Cloud Infrastructure and Management Strategy
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 9: By 2027, a Third of New AI Applications Will Contain a Diversified Set of Chained Traditional and GenAI Models and Business Rules, Outpacing the Development of New Singular AI Model Applications
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 10: By 2027, 80% of Critical AI Decisions Will Require Human Oversight Supported by Visual Explainability Dashboards, Potentially Slowing Processes but Enhancing Accountability
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Advice for Technology Buyers
External Drivers: Detail
AI-Driven Business Models — Moving from AI Experimentation to Monetization
The Drive to Automate — Toward a Data-Driven Future
Future Proofing Against Environmental Risks — ESG Operationalization and Risk Management
AI-Driven Workplace Transformation — Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today
Regulatory Flux — Navigating Compliance Challenges in a Shifting Policy Landscape
Responsible and Human-Centric Technology — Ethics in the Enterprise
Battling Against Technical Debt — Overcoming Hurdles to IT Modernization
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