Top Trends in Technology: What Are They and How Do I Adapt?

The future belongs to those who are adaptable. If you have been in the workforce for a while, your experience is invaluable. But staying competitive means embracing lifelong learning and technology adaptability.

Soft skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability will always be in demand. Tech-savviness in AI, automation, and data analysis will set professionals apart. Hybrid work and digital collaboration skills have become necessary and will continue to be.

Below are some of the tech trends that are already impacting industries today and are expected to see growth in the coming years. My objective is to provide baseline information, help grow your tech vocabulary, and help you understand real-world examples of how these trends are playing out.

What are the top trends?

Upskilling is essential: Artificial intelligence and machine learning evolution

The continued democratization of artificial intelligence (AI) will mean more accessible AI tools for businesses and individuals. Content generation, images, and videos are becoming more sophisticated thanks to the advancements in generative AI.  Integrating AI-powered automation is already providing enhanced efficiencies for many businesses. Companies that extensively use AI report a 72 percent increase in organizational productivity, compared to 55 percent for those that use AI to a limited extent.

Real-world examples of AI include virtual assistants such as Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. Streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube use AI to recommend things for you to listen to or watch, based on your history.

A shift in problem-solving: Quantum computing breakthroughs

In simple terms, quantum computing is a new type of computing that uses the principle of quantum physics to process information in a more powerful way than regular computers.  This means that quantum computers can be exponentially faster, in some cases, in processing data and solving problems. Industry leaders anticipate that 2025 will be a pivotal year for quantum computing, as advancements in post-quantum cryptography, error correction, and AI integration transform cybersecurity and innovation.

Real-world comparison: In 2019, Google’s Sycamore quantum computer solved a problem in 200 seconds that would take the world most powerful supercomputer 10,000 years.

A new way of doing business: Web 3.0 and decentralized technologies

Today we live in a web 2.0 internet world, where social media, cloud computing, platforms, and companies own our data. Web 3.0, the next generation of the internet, promises to be more private, secure, and fair. In this decentralized internet world, users own their own data. Transactions would be peer-to-peer and middlemen (such as Google) would be removed from the process. However, web 3.0 is still evolving, with challenges like scalability, regulation, and accessibility.

Real world examples of web 3.0 and how it will function include non-fungible tokens (NFTs); digital ownership of art, music, and assets; and  decentralized finance, or defi, which refers to banking without banks (for example, lending and borrowing via smart contracts).

More flexibility in work: Edge computing and 5G expansion

Edge computing is a way to process data closer to where it is created versus sending it to a faraway data center or cloud, thereby increasing speed and response time. Coupled with much faster 5G (fifth generation wireless) technology, the internet will become faster and more responsive overall. Edge computing market size is expected to reach $155.9 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.9 percent (2022-2030).

Real world examples already in use include wearable devices like heart monitors that analyze data on the spot and alert doctors in real time. Self-driving cars also process data in real time to avoid obstacles.

A redefinition of roles: Robotics and automation

Robotics and automation both use machines to perform tasks, but they are slightly different concepts.  A robot is a programmable machine and can be a physical device, while automation is the use of technology (software) to perform tasks without the intervention of humans. This concept has been around for a while and it continues to expand and revolutionize industries. Robots have boosted manufacturing productivity by 30 to 50 percent.

Real world examples of automation include self-checkout machines at the supermarket and chatbots doing customer support. Robotics applications include industrial robots that assemble cars in factories and humanoid robots that mimic real human interactions.

New careers emerging: Biotechnology and bioengineering

These interdisciplinary fields combine principles of biology and engineering to develop technology and products that enhance our quality of life. Both fields are instrumental in driving innovation across sectors leading to sustainable practices and improved healthcare outcomes.  Most notable in this area is CRISPR, the gene editing technology that allows scientists to make specific edits to an organism’s DNA. This has implications for medical research, agriculture, and functional genomics. Employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow by 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, outpacing the average for all occupations.

A real-world example, CRISPR Therapeutics is a leading biotech company that has successfully leveraged CRISPR to develop groundbreaking therapies for genetic disorders.

New careers emerging: Sustainable and green technologies

Sustainable and green technologies refer to innovations and practices that minimize environmental impact, promote resource efficiency, and support long-term ecological balance.  These technologies are designed to reduce carbon footprint, conserve natural resources, and mitigate climate change while ensuring economic and social benefits.  Some areas to watch are next-gen batteries and carbon capture and removal tech. Globally, 13.3 million new jobs in clean energy are expected to be created by 2030.

Real world examples of sustainable and green technologies include AeroFarms (USA), a vertical farming company using aeroponics to grow crops indoors with 95 percent less water than traditional farming. San Francisco’s Purple Pile System is a city-wide water recycling system that reuses treated wastewater for irrigation and industrial use.

A new era of work and training: Extended Reality

Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term for all the immersive technologies—augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR,) and mixed reality (MR)—plus those that have yet to be created. These technologies extend the reality we experience by either blending the virtual and “real” worlds or by creating a fully immersive experience.

In the retail industry, XR enables customers to try before they buy. Real world examples include watch manufacturer Rolex, which has an AR app that enables you to try watches on your actual wrist. Furniture company IKEA gives customers the ability to place furniture items into their homes via their smartphones.

How can I adapt?

Beyond familiarizing yourself with terminology and real-world examples, it is crucial to futureproof your career.

• Be adaptable: Stay open to new technologies and processes
• Be a lifelong learner: Invest in certifications and practical experience.
• Combine tech + soft skills: Leadership, critical thinking, and tech literacy are must-haves.
• Build strength thru networking: Engage in tech-driven industry groups, online courses, and communities.

Cornell offers 240+ certification programs across several of the areas covered above (see Online Certificates – eCornell).

• Choose one or two courses that align with your plans.
• Build hands-on experience (via freelance or side projects and case studies).
• Update your resume and LinkedIn page with new skills.
• Position yourself as a subject matter expert: Write blogs, speak at webinars, and create a portfolio.

What additional articles can I read?

Quantum Computing Has Arrived; We Need To Prepare For Its Impact (Forbes, Feb 22, 2025)

What Is Extended Reality Technology? A Simple Explanation for Anyone (Forbes, Aug 12, 2019)

What is Web3 technology (and why is it important)? (McKinsey Insights, October 10, 2023)

Top Six Edge Computing Use Cases Transforming Industries In 2024 (Forbes, Dec 04, 2024)

The sustainable tech transformation: Paving the way for a greener future | EY – Switzerland (EY, March 22, 2023)

Margaret Walsh is a certified leadership and career coach at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business who specializes in the technology and consulting industries.