IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Future of Operations 2025 Predictions
This IDC study presents IDC's top 10 predictions for operations with analysis that covers a five-year period."Many organizations have reached the point of diminishing returns with regard to the continuous improvement of their operations. The only way to survive in the always complex world of operations is to become data driven. It will be essential for companies to not fight this increasing complexity — but to embrace it — by taking a digital-first strategy and laying the foundation for data-driven operations," according to Reid Paquin, research VP of IDC's Future of Operations program.
IDC FutureScape Figure
Executive Summary
IDC FutureScape Predictions
Summary of External Drivers
Predictions: Impact on Technology Buyers
Prediction 1: By 2026, More than 80% of the Top 500 Industrial Enterprises Will Have an Operations Data Fabric Capability in Place to Support Widespread Adoption of AI-Driven Use Cases Requiring Multiple Data Sets
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 2: To Overcome Interoperability Challenges with Legacy Operations Technology Systems, 30% of the Top 500 Industrial Enterprises Will Leverage GenAI to Communicate Across Proprietary OT Languages by 2029
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 3: By 2026, Progress in Language Models, Vision Systems, and Edge Computing Will Boost 3x the Number of Robotics Use Cases, Leading to a More Natural HMI
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 4: By 2026, Industrial Organizations That Focus Their GenAI Investments on Targeted Operational Use Cases Will Move More AI Pilots into Full Production, Benefiting by Up to a 50% Improvement in ROI
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 5: By 2027, 40% of the G2000 Will Increase Their Spending by an Additional 10% to Incorporate AI and GenAI Services by Continuing to Leverage Engineering Services Partnerships to Transform Their Operations
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 6: By the End of 2025, 60% of Industrial Organizations Will Need to Increase AI Talent Development Spending Substantially and Foster Partnerships to Effectively Execute and Scale Operational AI Road Maps
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 7: By 2029, Over 75% of the G2000 Will Have Comprehensive Carbon Management Programs in Place That Include Scope 3 Emissions, Reducing Their Operational Emissions by as Much as 25% Through These Efforts
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 8: By 2027, Due to Rising OT Cybersecurity Incidents and Concerns, Industrial Organizations Will Need to Increase Investments in Security Solutions by Up to 50% to Protect Legacy Operational Environments
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 9: By 2027, 75% of the G2000 Will Have Adopted AI-Enabled Quality Management Solutions Within Operations, Allowing New Insights to Be Uncovered and Reducing Scrap/Waste/Defects in Production by Up to 30%
Associated Drivers
IT Impact
Guidance
Prediction 10: By 2029, 30% of Industrial Organizations Will Leverage Vision-Based Mobile Robots in Localized and Mapped Environments, Boosting Workflow Efficiency, Inventory, and Safety Management by 10%
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
Expanding Digital Security Frontiers — Fortification Against Multiplying Threats
Geoeconomic Reordering — Rethinking Globalization, Supply Chains, and Macroeconomic Challenges
Battling Against Technical Debt — Overcoming Hurdles to IT Modernization
Learn More
Related Research
Research Assistance
Download our eBook: How to Succeed Using Market Research
Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.
Download eBook