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The year is here – 2025 – and it’s time to take a step back and gaze into the crystal ball. Or rather, let’s fire up our machine learning algorithms and generate some insights that might just become reality.
As we leave behind a tumultuous 2024, I’m excited to share my top predictions for this year. In the face of adversity, technology and its backers are on a quest for redemption – not just in terms of returns but also a sense of purpose.
1. **Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) takes center stage**: Phishing has evolved into an accessible, subscription-based service, making it easier than ever for scammers to cast their digital nets and reel in unsuspecting victims. The cat-and-mouse game between cybercriminals and cybersecurity professionals will continue, with AI playing a significant role on both sides.
2. **IPO markets revive**: Despite the bleak past, I believe that European unicorns like Klarna, Bolt, and Revolut will finally take the leap and list their shares publicly. This influx of liquidity will benefit early investors in hubs like Stockholm and Tallinn. The US IPO juggernaut will remain dominant, but London is making a concerted effort to attract smaller cap companies. The end of the drought is nigh.
3. **Defence technology becomes a hotbed**: Global security concerns and ongoing conflicts have thrust defence tech into the spotlight. Start-ups in this space are commanding astronomical valuations, and conferences are more popular than ever. But can we honestly say that these valuations will remain intact when – or if – peace breaks out? The answer is no.
4. **Venture capital shifts its focus**: After years of investing in marketing-driven start-ups with fleeting lifespans, VCs have reached a crossroads. The “spray-and-pray” approach is being replaced by thoughtful, problem-solving investments that address pressing global issues like climate change and health. This existential crisis will lead to more measured decision-making and potentially better returns.
5. **Low/no-code software finally becomes the norm**: Gone are the days of armies of consultants charging an arm and a leg for every click on your screen. AI-powered solutions have made implementation ridiculously easy, without sacrificing quality or security. The productivity gains will be substantial, and businesses can finally stop throwing money at manual automation.
As we step into 2025, it’s clear that technology has become the battleground where our digital identities are forged. From Bitcoin’s triumph to AI’s dual-edged role in both good and evil, this year promises to be a wild ride filled with potential risks and rewards.
Will we see these predictions come true? Only time will tell.
Source: http://www.forbes.com
