As I write this, I’m on a plane heading to Stockholm.
Both literally and metaphorically, I’ve embarked on the 2025 Trends Project—a process that I’m thrilled to undertake with an incredible team. It’s always a privilege to contribute to this annual endeavor, and this year feels more significant than ever.
At Qlik, we take trends seriously. And why wouldn’t we? The world is noisier than it’s ever been, and it’s critical to cut through that noise to help guide both ourselves and our customers.
AI: Where Do We Go From Here?
AI is no longer a distant prospect—it’s here, and it has reshaped how we think, work, and innovate. But in its wake, a cacophony of contrasting perspectives has emerged:
Scaling laws: Some argue that we’re hitting the limits of AI scaling, with future models expected to taper down. Others predict exponential growth, with “S-curves on top of S-curves,” signaling that we haven’t seen anything yet.
Singularity: While some believe the singularity is just around the corner—perhaps even next year—others are confident it will never happen.
Costs: The debate over costs is equally polarized. Some claim that AI costs are spiraling out of control, while others point to dramatic cost reductions. Meanwhile, we see pre-product AI startups valued in the billions, with skepticism about when, or if, that value will be realized.
Cutting Through the Noise
As data and analytics leaders, how do we respond to such divergent views?
We can’t afford to sit back and wait for pundits to settle their debates. Nor can we rely solely on hype or succumb to doom scenarios. That would be the easy way out—and the wrong one. Instead, we must embrace our role as key stakeholders in shaping AI’s trajectory, ensuring we steer clear of negative externalities and foster positive outcomes.
To do this, we must filter the noise, lean in, and get to work.
The "3As": The Focus Areas for 2025
In this year’s Qlik Trends Edition, we will explore three dominant themes—what we’re calling the “3As”:
Authenticity: The need for truth, trust, and transparency in data and AI.
Applied (AI) Value: Moving beyond theoretical capabilities to tangible, scalable business value.
Agents: The rise of intelligent, autonomous systems that act on behalf of organizations and individuals.
What’s new this year is input from our AI Council, a fantastic sounding board that brings global insights from diverse areas of AI development. Their contributions enrich our understanding and help ensure these trends are actionable and forward-looking.
Join Us
We invite you to join us on Wednesday, January 15, as we unveil our 2025 Trends Outlook.
Register here and be the first to explore the three themes and underlying trends that will dominate the AI conversation in 2025—and discover what they mean for your business.
Mark your calendar and don’t miss this opportunity to shape the conversation and prepare for what’s next!