Peer into the future of IT trends, ranging from layoffs to emerging technologies to AI tactics.
![[Featured Image] Two IT colleagues collaborate on an infrastructure project on a shared monitor.](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/Ft6y6KWr0BGgQb0xLyjrM/3a26b1065dff4e33d12e3a4719839763/iStock-1197257945.jpeg?w=1500&h=680&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=1000)
The information technology industry is constantly growing, with new trends emerging yearly.
Although the adoption of AI systems is increasing, the costs associated with AI infrastructure have the potential to limit its growth [].
Cloud infrastructure is here to stay and is a key driver of IT outsourcing.
You can prepare for a career in information technology by acquiring in-demand skills and earning relevant certifications.
Learn about trending IT technologies to help you stay in the know. Looking to strengthen your resume with in-demand IT skills? Consider enrolling to earn IBM's Generative AI for Cybersecurity Professionals Specialization. You'll learn how large language models (LLMs) impact computer and network security measures today and gain hands-on experience with prompt engineering techniques you can use on the job.
First, let鈥檚 look at 2024 to identify persistent trends that may continue to shape the industry. Technological research and consulting firm Gartner reported the following three movements among the "top 10 strategic technology trends of 2024鈥 [闭:听
1. AI trust, risk, and security management (AI TRISM). According to IBM data, 35 percent of enterprise-scale companies surveyed reported having deployed AI in their business in 2022 []. Another 42 percent of companies are experimenting with AI, but cited limited AI skills, data complexity, and ethical concerns among the top barriers preventing deployment []. AI TRISM is a framework designed to increase transparency, protect data, and enforce AI ethics. It includes both technology and methodology. AI TRISM steadily emerged alongside AI advancements, topping the list of Gartner鈥檚 top 10 strategic technology trends in 2023 and 2024 [, ]. Strategies aligned with some of this framework's goals, such as disinformation security and AI governance platforms, replaced AI TRISM among Gartner's top 10 in 2025 [].
2. Sustainable technology. Sustainable technology is defined as solutions that increase the efficiency of IT services, conserve resources, and help both organizations and consumers reach their sustainability goals. Although technology is the primary focus, methodologies and strategies also contribute to sustainable technology in IT. Sustainable technology moved up from 10th place in Gartner鈥檚 2023 list to third place in 2024 [, ]. In 2025, it dropped off the list entirely; however, energy-efficient computing now holds the number six spot [].
3. Metaverse. In 2022, Gartner predicted that 25 percent of people would spend at least an hour per day in the metaverse by 2026 []. It鈥檚 important to note that the metaverse is not limited to Mark Zuckerberg鈥檚 metaverse. The metaverse is an amalgamation of vendors creating a virtual reality environment with immersive experiences and an economy. The metaverse has about 700 million active monthly users as of 2025, with awareness higher among people ages 18 to 44 []. Gaming is the most popular use of the metaverse, followed by social media, virtual shopping, education, real estate, and other uses [].
In recent years, hype has cycled rapidly for technologies ranging from NFT art to ChatGPT. CompTIA projected this AI excitement would wane over the next year in their IT Industry Outlook 2024, not because the tech was overhyped, but because companies will turn their attention to building the infrastructure needed to employ it responsibly []. These changes in perceived popularity don鈥檛 discredit the merit of these technologies, but they may help us view them more objectively.
Generative AI remained firmly at the top of minds in 2025, as ChatGPT was joined by many other accessible AI tools, such as Google's Gemini and Claude. However, CompTIA's IT Industry Outlook 2025 suggests the cost of AI implementation could potentially offset its tremendous potential []. It also notes that while many businesses are already reaping the benefits of AI, these applications predate the rise of GenAI and are instead centered around using machine learning algorithms to enhance workflows. In the following sections, we鈥檒l explore more trend forecasts, ranging from cutting-edge technology to organizational strategy.
According to Statista, 5G technology was a top IT trend among organizations in North America and Europe for 2025 [闭.听
The demand for governance is growing in the cybersecurity and data science spaces. CompTIA reported in 2024 that only 5 percent of individuals cited governance as a key priority for cybersecurity initiatives, suggesting this view is due to the belief that governance is synonymous with regulatory compliance []. In truth, governance practices serve many more purposes than just compliance. Organizations are beginning to realize that structured business processes surrounding vast amounts of data can provide more advanced analytics, informing critical business decisions and strengthening valuable insights.
AI governance platforms are number two on Gartner's top strategic technology trends of 2025, aiming to enable leaders to validate the reliability and transparency of AI []. These platforms are also employed to ensure AI applications align with organizational values and regulatory requirements and avoid negative societal impacts. Human intelligence will also be a key factor in IT security as generative AI increases the scale and believability of social engineering cyber threats.听
Read more: 7 Cybersecurity Trends to Know
Generative AI advancements are driving modern IT automation. Gartner predicted in 2023 that hyper-automation would trend upward to meet accuracy and productivity requirements, adding that cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency would improve with AI in 2024. This forecast demonstrates a shift, conflicting with CompTIA's prediction that implementation costs could outweigh AI automation potential in 2025 []. In addition to traditional robotic process automation (RPA) use cases like data entry, AI use in 2024 propelled the automation of more complex workflows such as fielding customer service inquiries, scheduling jobs, and screening candidates for hiring.听
Gartner's number 1 strategic technology trend of 2025 was agentic AI鈥攐r, AI programs designed to make decisions and take actions toward pre-defined goals independently []. Use cases cited in Gartner's report focus heavily on AI's data analysis capabilities, and how organizations can use them to automate and personalize customer experiences as well as improve situational awareness through the use of prediction intelligence.
While the adoption of cloud infrastructure is not a new trend, it鈥檚 one that is surpassing expectations. Gartner predicts worldwide end-user spending on public cloud computing will reach $723 billion in 2025 []. Hybrid cloud computing has become especially integral to digital transformations, helping companies transition fully or partially from legacy IT systems without compromising integrity or performance.听
Hybrid computing was number seven among the top strategic technology trends for 2025, including the combination of technologies like edge devices, CPUs, GPUs, and quantum systems []. This diverse array creates an environment that highlights the strengths of each technology to solve complicated computational problems.
In 2022 and 2023, layoffs dominated headlines. The outlook for 2024 painted a much brighter picture, with Google research showing that 39 percent of hiring leaders planned to increase their financial commitment toward hiring []. Nevertheless, layoffs continued to persist throughout 2024 in the tech industry.
In 2025, USA Today reported that tech layoffs continued, but began to finally slow in pace []. Julia Pollak, chief economist at ZipRecruiter, says layoffs may not always indicate a reduction in headcount, but rather a restructuring and reprioritizing that may result in increased hiring []. According to research by Robert Half, technology hiring managers are focusing on candidates with the following skills and experience []:
Proficiency in AI
Experience with cloud migrations and technologies
Knowledge of cloud cybersecurity, applications, and database development
Here are the top four technology skills managers report increased salaries:
AI and machine learning
Cloud computing, security, and architecture
Software and applications development
Are you thinking about starting a career in information technology? By enrolling in the Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate program, you can gain job-ready, in-demand IT skills from a tech industry leader. In just two months, you'll learn to apply concepts like data management, troubleshooting, customer support, and networking while earning an employer-recognized certificate from Microsoft.
The IT outsourcing market accounted for over $540 billion in revenue in 2024 and is projected to grow in the coming years, including segments like application outsourcing, administration outsourcing, and web hosting []. A central component of IT outsourcing today is managed services. The term managed services refers to outsourcing IT functions like cybersecurity or cloud services to managed service providers (MSPs). Digital transformations like the cloud migration mentioned above are advancing IT outsourcing, especially given the rise of segments like software as a service (SaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS).听
In 2024, large recruitment websites were the most commonly used mode of contact between employers and job seekers []. Fifty-eight percent of hiring decision-makers reported large recruitment sites as their top sources for discovering qualified candidates, placing them above their own company鈥檚 career web pages and even employee referrals []. Job seekers also identify these as their number one source, with a colossal 92 percent claiming to use them monthly [].
Interested in learning more about information technology? Check out some of our free resources to stay up to date with the latest trends, like our LinkedIn newsletter, .
Watch on YouTube: 听
Take the quiz: Which IT Course Should You Take? Find Out in 1 Minute听
Master fundamental terminology: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary听
Want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities? Keep growing with a 糖心vlog官网观看 Plus subscription. You鈥檒l get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.听
CompTIA ", https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/it-industry-outlook-2025/." Accessed October 31, 2025.
Gartner. 鈥, hhttps://www.gartner.com/en/articles/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2024." Accessed October 31, 2025.
IBM. 鈥, https://newsroom.ibm.com/2022-05-19-Global-Data-from-IBM-Shows-Steady-AI-Adoption-as-Organizations-Look-to-Address-Skills-Shortages,-Automate-Processes-and-Encourage-Sustainable-Operations.鈥 Accessed October 31, 2025.
Gartner. ", https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2023." Accessed October 31, 2025.
Gartner. ", https://emt.gartnerweb.com/ngw/globalassets/en/information-technology/documents/trends/2025-top-tech-trends-ebook.pdf." Accessed October 31, 2025.
Gartner. 鈥, https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2022-02-07-gartner-predicts-25-percent-of-people-will-spend-at-least-one-hour-per-day-in-the-metaverse-by-2026.鈥 Accessed October 31, 2025.
Consumer Metaverse Market. 鈥, https://market.us/report/consumer-metaverse-market/.鈥 Accessed October 31, 2025.
CompTIA. 鈥, https://www.comptia.org/en-us/resources/research/it-industry-outlook-2024/.鈥 Accessed October 31, 2025.
Statista. 鈥, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1420303/north-america-europe-tech-trend-adoption-2024/.鈥 Accessed October 31, 2025.
Gartner. "Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Public Cloud End-User Spending to Total $723 Billion in 2025, https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-11-19-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-public-cloud-end-user-spending-to-total-723-billion-dollars-in-2025." Accessed October 31, 2025.
Sloan Review, MIT. 鈥, https://sloanreview.mit.edu/mitsmr-connections/hiring-trends-for-2024-optimism-online-recruiting-and-the-rise-of-ai/.鈥 Accessed October 31, 2025.
USA Today. ", https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/14/meta-layoffs-tech-industry-2025/78392050007." Accessed October 31, 2025.
Robert Half. ", https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/technology#hiringtrends." Accessed October 31, 2025.
Statista. 鈥, https://www.statista.com/topics/1900/it-outsourcing/#topicOverview/.鈥 Accessed October 31, 2025.
Writer
Jessica is a technical writer who specializes in computer science and information technology. Equipp...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.