How will automation affect businesses in 2025

“Everything that can be automated will be automated.”Shoshana Zuboff said these wise words in her book, ‘In the Age of the Smart Machine’. This statement is more relatable and truer than ever as technology rapidly transforms industries. It is clear that automation is no longer just a convenience – it’s a necessity for staying competitive.Today’s enterprises are moving beyond traditional automation methods. They are embracing intelligent automation tools to address complex business challenges and boost productivity, efficiency and accuracy. In fact, 88% of small business owners agree that automation helps them compete with larger companies, according to Zapier.

In 2024, we covered automation trends like Artificial Intelligence, Hyperautomation, Optical Character Recognition and Intelligent Process Automation. As we look forward to 2025, we are excited to introduce new and updated trends in automation that promise to reshape the industry.

Ready to see what’s on the horizon? Let’s explore the top automation trends in 2025 and how they can drive your business forward!

Trend 1: Cybersecurity Automation Will Shield Tomorrow’s Threats

One of the top automation trends in 2025 to watch is cybersecurity automation. This approach uses automated programs to detect, investigate and resolve cyber threats without requiring constant human oversight. With cyber-attacks rising faster than you say, data breaches, businesses are leaning heavily on automation for security alerts, prioritized threats and incident response automation. This will allow security teams to focus on complex and high-priority issues. Remember one thing – automation is not about replacing humans; it’s about letting automation do the boring and monotonous tasks while you do the heavy lifting.

According to a Threat Quotient survey, 75% of security leaders now consider automation – up from 68% last year. Plus, 30% are using it to manage security alerts like a pro. It’s clear: automation is not a passing cloud; it has to be a part of your cybersecurity strategy.

Take GT Law, for instance, who wanted to combat the increasing cyber threats and they teamed up with Evolve Security Automation to streamline their security processes and maximize their budget without expanding their team. The result? A security upgrade without needing a bigger team. As Amy Hamilton, Senior Cybersecurity Adviser, puts it, “Automation will not replace humans.”
Admin Takeaway:

• Ensure that your security automation strategy is directly aligned with your organization’s broader IT and security objectives.
• Select a security partner with experience relevant to your industry and needs because a reliable partner can only streamline the automation processes and enhance efficiency.
• Identify and decide on which security issues are the priorities, develop use cases and evaluate the possibilities for security workflow automation.

Trend 2: AI Will Turn Automation Into The Most Interesting Process Of The Year

AI automation is reshaping the way businesses operate, driving innovation across industries. From streamlining supply chains to improving customer service through AI assistants, AI is automating complex tasks and enhancing productivity. With Intelligent Process Automation (IPA) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) on board, one can automate everything and anything – from data entry to predictive algorithms. As AI advances, businesses will increasingly adopt these technologies to optimize operations, reduce costs and focus on strategic initiatives. It is safe to say that AI automation will be something companies will be adopting the most to stay competitive and innovate their processes.

According to McKinsey, existing AI technologies are already capable of automating 60% to 70% of tasks that currently occupy workers. This shift is paving the way for greater efficiency and innovation across industries. As more companies realize the benefits, adoption of AI automation will continue to surge in 2025.

Flutter, for example, faced challenges in customer engagement and operational efficiency. Partnering with UiPath, they automated backend processes using natural language processing, which led to a 140% increase in online activity and reduced resourcing needs by 33%. Anant Maheshwari, CEO of Honeywell’s High Growth Regions, also says, “The pace of AI’s evolution is evident and companies must act on AI-driven OT automation now to avoid getting left behind.” In other words, it’s safe to say that if you are not on board with AI, you are going to be stuck in the tech slow lane.
Admin Takeaway:

• Start by selecting repetitive, rule-based and data-intensive tasks for AI automation, such as data entry or report generation.
• The success of AI automation hinges on the quality of your data, so ensure that it is well-organized, cleansed and preprocessed.
• Select AI tools based on task complexity and budget. For simple tasks, consider RPA tools, while more complex tasks may require advanced solutions.

Trend 3: Automation Will Make Your Speaker Smarter Than Ever

Another trend businesses and individuals alike should be looking for in 2025 is IoT. IoT (Internet of Things) automation is transforming the way devices, systems and industries interact. By making devices communicate and perform tasks autonomously, IoT is automating everything from homes to large-scale industries. Devices like smart thermostats, security systems and voice-activated assistants are revolutionizing home automation, offering enhanced energy management, convenience and security. In 2025, this trend will continue to grow, driving innovation in smart homes and beyond, reshaping how businesses and individuals operate in an increasingly connected world.

According to IoT Analytics, the number of connected IoT devices was estimated to grow by 13% by the end of 2024, reaching 18.8 billion devices globally. This follows a 15% growth in 2023, highlighting the rapid adoption of IoT technology across industries.

Indeema is one of the top IoT development companies in Switzerland. By integrating devices for climate control, solar energy management and security, they showcased how IoT can enhance convenience and energy efficiency.

Lara Sokolova, CEO at LANARS Norsk, jokes about the same. “For instance, IoT can be implemented in the kitchen, where colleagues are eating, resting and using different devices. Imagine an intelligent kitchen that would shut off kitchen appliances if needed or sensors that would track how long ingredients are in the fridge to remind that the expiration date is near. That is just a tiny part of booming interest relating to IoT automated choice.” With this trend, we will see less human intervention soon – no more expired milk cans in the fridge!
Admin Takeaway:

• Incorporate testing at every stage of the development lifecycle to detect and resolve issues at the early stage.
• Automate routine tasks such as sensor data validation and network connectivity checks.
• Update firmware regularly and invest in robust encryption with compliances to secure IoT devices from cyber threats.

Trend 4: Autonomous Vehicles And Drones Will Revolutionize Logistics

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are set to transform the logistics industry, especially in last-mile delivery. With self-driving cars, delivery robots and drones, businesses will be able to optimize routes, reduce delivery times and lower operational costs. These technologies enable faster, more flexible and efficient deliveries while reducing reliance on human drivers. This approach will also minimize carbon emissions and traffic congestion. As Ecommerce demand surges, AVs will play a critical role in streamlining logistics operations and meeting the growing need for faster deliveries in 2025. No more guiding your courier to your home – your parcel will already be there!

The global autonomous vehicle market was valued at $1,500.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to skyrocket to $13,632.4 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 32.3%. In the U.S., McKinsey predicts that full AV autonomy could reduce operating costs by 45%. These statistics highlight the increasing adoption of AVs in logistics and their potential to revolutionize the industry.

Take Global Logistics & Fulfillment (GLF) as an example. By integrating an autonomous Stockchaser vehicle, GLF reduced labor costs by 64% and boosted productivity by 33% in just four weeks. Matt McLelland, VP of Sustainability and Innovation at Covenant, also says, “Our customers don’t care how the load gets there. They don’t care if it’s a driver, an AV or a squirrel driving the truck, they just want the load to get there. AV is not being driven by customers, it’s driven by asset utilization and optimizing TCO.” These examples give us a glimpse into the future of Logistics, where automation will drive operational success.
Admin Takeaway:

• Ensure that your investment in autonomous logistics solutions aligns with your long-term goals.
• Prepare your logistics team to manage the transition to autonomous systems by investing in training the support staff.
• Be ready to update your logistics strategies as autonomous vehicles reshape production, sourcing and distribution.

Trend 5: Welcome To The World Of Industry 5.0

While many businesses are yet to adopt Industry 4.0 and technologies like automation, artificial intelligence and IoT, a new revolution is already here – Industry 5.0. While Industry 4.0 focuses on maximizing efficiency and productivity through machine-driven processes, Industry 5.0 introduces a collaboration between humans and machines with advanced robotics and AI. This shift aims to create industries that not only drive economic growth but also contribute positively to society and the environment. By integrating human creativity with advanced technologies, Industry 5.0 promises a future where we prioritize the welfare of the workforce and respect our planet’s limits as well. Now, that’s like feeding two birds with one scone.

The global Industry 5.0 market was valued at $54.21 billion in 2023 and is projected to soar to $822.38 billion by 2033, with a remarkable CAGR of 31.25%. This growth illustrates how businesses are moving towards Industry 5.0 for a more human-centric and sustainable approach.

According to an Irish industry case study about Industry 5.0, the role of collaborative robots or cobots, will be transformative. As cobots can enhance manufacturing by managing repetitive tasks, they allow workers to focus on complex responsibilities. This not only boosts productivity but also improves worker safety. Nitin Mittal, Deloitte’s Global Generative AI Innovation Leader, also shares his thoughts on the same, “Industry 5.0 will be fueled by minds, not just machines.” As industries embrace this mindset, the balance between human and machine collaboration will drive Industry 5.0 forward.
Admin Takeaway:

• Audit your existing infrastructure to understand the current state. Evaluate both software and hardware to determine how well your setup supports the new Industry 5.0 technologies.
• Deploy collaborative robots (cobots) to handle repetitive tasks to free up human workers so that they can focus on more complex and creative roles.
• Implement Industry 5.0 technologies in phases, starting with areas that show the highest potential for impact.

Final Thoughts

“Change is the end result of all true learning.”

As we move toward 2025, industry and businesses also need to adapt and upgrade to meet the demands of evolving technology. Automation industry trends like autonomous vehicles, cyber security, AI innovations, IoT and Industry 5.0 are likely to transform all the industries. These trends offer greater efficiency, sustainability and productivity, unlocking new opportunities for growth and progress.

Whether you’re a business or an individual, staying updated on these trends is essential for staying competitive and prepared for what’s next. Embrace automation and streamline your process already!