Which tech trend do you think will have the most significant impact on your industry in the next 5 years? Share your reasoning.

Question

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, businesses face the challenge of determining which trends are worth adopting. This comprehensive guide offers expert insights on evaluating new tech trends across various industries, from AI-driven personalization to sustainable manufacturing. Drawing from the expertise of industry leaders, the article provides valuable tips to help decision-makers navigate the complex world of emerging technologies.

Max Shak · Answer

If I had to point to one tech trend that I believe will have the most significant impact on our industry over the next five years, it's the evolution of AI from a tool that supports marketing to one that actively shapes strategy. Right now, most businesses treat AI as an assistant—something to generate content, surface data, or streamline workflows. But I see it becoming more of a collaborator, capable of analyzing patterns in ways even experienced marketers can't, and suggesting strategies that feel almost counterintuitive but prove highly effective.
I've already seen glimpses of this shift at Nerdigital. A few months ago, we ran an AI-driven test on ad placements that went against what I would have chosen based on my own experience. I've spent years studying user behavior, so when the system suggested a channel I considered "too niche," I was skeptical. But I trusted the data—and that campaign delivered one of our highest ROIs of the year. It was humbling and exciting at the same time.
What excites me most isn't just efficiency, but creativity. I think AI will push us beyond conventional best practices. It will surface opportunities in overlooked platforms, recommend content formats tailored to micro-audiences, and even reshape how we think about measuring success. Instead of quarterly reporting cycles, we'll have a constant loop of strategy, execution, and adjustment happening in real time.
For me as a founder, the real value lies in what this means for small and mid-sized businesses. In the past, cutting-edge analytics and predictive modeling were reserved for enterprises with massive budgets. Now, with AI tools becoming more accessible, even lean teams can make decisions with the kind of insight that levels the playing field.
The next five years will be less about replacing human marketers and more about expanding their capacity to think bigger, faster, and in new directions. And I believe those who embrace AI as a creative partner—not just a time-saver—will be the ones setting the pace.

Vitaly Goncharenko · Answer

Agentic AI that can take real actions, safely.
In the next five years, assistants will move from giving answers to doing the work end to end. They will read context, decide the next step, and act across tools like CRM, calendars, help desks, and payment systems, all with a clear audit trail.
This matters because it turns chat from a cost into revenue. An assistant can qualify a lead, book a demo, create a quote, collect payment, and update records without handoffs. Customers get faster outcomes and teams spend less time on routine tasks.
The enablers are better grounding on first party data, reliable tool use, strong privacy and compliance controls, faster on device or edge inference, and lower model costs. Put together, this makes real automation practical for small and midsize businesses, not just enterprises.
The result is higher conversion, quicker resolution, and measurable return from every conversation. In short, buyers will expect assistants to not just tell them what to do, but to do it for them.

Roy Andraos · Answer

In the next five years, the most significant tech trend won't be a single model or platform; it will be the shift toward solving the "data bottleneck" in AI. The industry has already proven that algorithms can scale impressively. What remains unsolved is how to consistently feed these systems with the diverse, accurate, and representative data they need to perform reliably.
AI's potential is being held back not by lack of compute power but by lack of trustable inputs. Companies frequently discover that they have volumes of data but very little that is AI-ready. Without annotation, standardization, and quality checks, even the largest datasets produce models that fail in production. This explains why so many pilot projects underdeliver: the model itself isn't flawed; the data pipeline is.
In practice, the next wave of innovation will come from organizations that treat data preparation as infrastructure. Whether in healthcare, retail, or autonomous driving, the pattern is the same: annotated datasets become the foundation for predictive systems that are explainable and actionable. For example, agriculture firms are already using annotated drone and satellite imagery to forecast yields and detect crop stress. Similar approaches are expanding across industries, turning raw inputs into structured intelligence that AI can actually use.
This trend will also drive new standards. Just as cloud adoption once demanded shared protocols for storage and security, AI adoption will require global norms for data annotation, privacy, and interoperability. Companies that embrace these practices early will not only reduce costs of scaling but also earn the trust of regulators and end users.
There is also a human element to this trend. While automation is advancing, annotation still relies heavily on human judgment to capture nuance and edge cases. Over the next five years, hybrid systems, combining human expertise with AI-assisted labeling, will emerge as the most effective approach. This mix will ensure both scalability and accuracy.
The takeaway is clear: the defining tech trend isn't "bigger AI." It's better data. The organizations that recognize annotation and data governance as strategic assets will move faster, build safer systems, and lead the market. Those that overlook the data bottleneck risk getting left behind, regardless of the models they adopt.

Arvind Rongala · Answer

One of the most significant trends that will reshape the corporate training industry over the next five years is the integration of AI-driven personalized learning. Research from McKinsey shows that companies using AI in workforce development see up to a 40% improvement in skill acquisition speed, and this aligns with the growing need for rapid, adaptive upskilling. As the shelf life of technical skills continues to shrink—often cited as less than three years in fields like cloud computing and cybersecurity—traditional one-size-fits-all training models will no longer be effective.
The real impact lies in AI's ability to analyze individual learning patterns, adjust content in real time, and recommend tailored pathways that ensure employees gain not just knowledge, but job-ready skills. Combined with immersive technologies like AR and VR, which PwC found can accelerate learning by four times compared to traditional classroom methods, AI-powered personalization is set to define the future of training by making it more efficient, engaging, and directly aligned with business outcomes.

Brian Fontanella · Answer

The most significant trend I observe is the rise of AI-driven security tools. Several years ago, a client faced a phishing campaign that bypassed traditional filters. Only after implementing an AI-based solution did we begin detecting sophisticated attacks that appeared legitimate to both users and standard tools. The improvement was substantial. By learning communication patterns and flagging anomalies before they reached inboxes, the system demonstrated the need for more advanced defenses to keep pace with evolving threats.
Over the next five years, AI will become a foundational component of cybersecurity. As threats grow in volume and complexity, IT teams will need intelligent automation to manage risks effectively. This shift will allow teams to focus on genuine threats rather than false positives, and to scale protection without increasing headcount, which is critical in a talent-constrained industry.

Sebastian Malczyk · Answer

In an industry where core offerings—payments, deposits, credit—are nearly identical, the question of differentiation has never been more pressing. Over the next five years, the most significant driver of change will be the blending of financial services with non-financial domains, enabled by embedded banking and value-added services (VAS). This evolution will redefine how institutions engage with customers and determine which players remain relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape.
From Banking Products to User EcosystemsThe shift from standalone products to integrated ecosystems, often delivered through superapps, marks a fundamental change. Customers no longer want isolated financial tools; they expect seamless journeys linking payments, commerce, mobility, healthcare, or entertainment. Embedding services into these broader contexts deepens engagement, lengthens retention, and grows revenues. It also creates network effects: the more services interconnect, the more indispensable the ecosystem becomes.
Hyperpersonalization as a DifferentiatorIn commoditized markets, the real edge lies in knowing customers better than anyone else. Hyperpersonalization uses behavioral and contextual data to anticipate needs and offer tailored solutions, whether instant credit at checkout, contextual insurance with a purchase, or investment advice shaped by spending patterns. This shifts financial services from reactive responses to proactive value delivery, building trust and loyalty.
AI as the EnablerAI is the engine that powers both personalization and ecosystem integration. Beyond efficiency gains, it enables predictive insights, intelligent customer support, and real-time personalization at scale. It allows financial institutions to transform customer interactions from transactional touchpoints into value-driven experiences. Those able to leverage AI will move from being product providers to becoming trusted lifestyle partners.
The Business ValueTogether, embedded finance, VAS, hyperpersonalization, and AI unlock new business models. They expand markets by placing financial products into everyday contexts, drive cross-selling and upselling opportunities, and increase customer lifetime value.
In the coming years, financial institutions will not be judged by product efficiency but by their ability to integrate into customer ecosystems. Success will hinge not on price or features but on relevance, experience, and trust—the true levers of sustainable growth.

Ahmad Faiz · Answer

The "tech trend" that will have the most significant impact on the roofing industry in the next five years isn't a software program. It's the widespread adoption of drone-based thermal imaging and inspection. This is the future of the trade because it's about safety and undeniable visual evidence.
The old method—climbing on every roof—is dangerous, slow, and often misses the real problem. Thermal imaging from a drone allows us to instantly spot hidden water damage, missing insulation, and structural deficiencies that you can't see with your eyes alone. This is critical for accurate quoting and preventing future mistakes.
My reasoning is simple: this technology will force every contractor to become more transparent. If you don't use it, your competitor will, and they will present the client with undeniable visual proof—thermal evidence of a hidden leak—that your manual inspection missed. It raises the bar for professionalism, forcing everyone to be more honest and accurate.
The core lesson is that technology that improves safety and makes you a more trustworthy professional will always win in this business. My advice is to stop seeing the drone as a toy. It's a mandatory safety tool and a competitive necessity that eliminates guesswork and holds every contractor accountable for the truth.

Wayne Lowry · Answer

The most significant trend will be the maturation of AI-driven personalization that extends beyond marketing into product design and customer experience. In local retail and service industries, the shift will move from simply targeting ads to dynamically shaping offerings based on granular behavior data. Imagine a boutique where inventory updates in near real-time according to neighborhood search trends, or a restaurant that adapts menu highlights based on seasonal interest detected online. The reasoning is simple: consumer expectations for relevance are rising faster than most businesses can manually manage. AI-enabled systems that synthesize purchasing patterns, search signals, and location data will allow small and mid-sized companies to act with the agility once reserved for global players. Those who adapt early will not only reduce wasted spend but also strengthen loyalty because customers feel genuinely understood. The businesses that delay will struggle to remain visible as competitors deliver experiences that feel individually designed.

Anupa Rongala · Answer

One of the most significant trends shaping the outsourcing and technology services space over the next five years will be the convergence of generative AI with intelligent automation. Beyond automating repetitive workflows, generative AI is evolving into a co-pilot for complex decision-making, customer interactions, and even software development. For outsourcing, this means a shift from cost optimization being the primary driver to value creation through faster innovation cycles, hyper-personalized customer experiences, and predictive problem-solving. Recent research by McKinsey highlights that generative AI could add up to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, with business process management and IT services among the sectors most directly impacted. The industry is heading toward a model where humans and AI collaborate seamlessly—humans focus on strategy and empathy-driven tasks, while AI handles scale and speed. This transformation is expected to redefine outsourcing relationships, moving them from transactional to strategic, where technology solutions become central to business growth.

Daria Turanska · Answer

As the founder of a legaltech startup, I believe the most significant tech trend shaping our industry over the next five years will be the rise of AI-driven document automation combined with regulatory intelligence. For too long, legal services have been reactive, slow, and prohibitively expensive for small businesses and nonprofits. With AI that can not only draft documents but also stay dynamically updated with evolving laws and compliance standards, we're moving toward a world where legal guidance is proactive, affordable, and accessible at scale.
This matters because clients don't just want templates anymore—they want living documents that adapt as regulations shift. At FasterDraft, I see daily how organizations struggle to keep policies current across multiple jurisdictions, and I believe technology that marries automation with real-time legal data will transform the industry. It won't replace lawyers, but it will free us to focus on higher-level strategy while giving businesses reliable, up-to-date tools at their fingertips.

Xi He · Answer

Search engines are rapidly moving away from keyword-based ranking to AI-powered semantic search and generative results. Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) and similar technologies are already starting to redefine the SERP as an answer engine rather than a list of links. The shift involves:
1. Content Optimization Will Change - Rather than optimizing for keywords only, SEO will need to develop content that echoes the ability of AI to perceive intent, context, and entities. Content must be structured, authoritative, and schema-enriched to be preferred in generative summaries.
2. Traffic Patterns Will Shift - With AI providing increasing numbers of answers directly within the SERP, organic clicks will decline. Businesses will need to focus on prominence in AI-generated snippets and find alternative points of entry like multimodal search (text + image + voice).
3. Automation and Personalization - AI will automate SEO activities, ranging from keyword clustering and content briefs to technical audits and link prospecting. Meanwhile, personalization of search will increase, forcing SEOs to shift strategies for personalized search experiences rather than one-size-fits-all rankings.
Overall, AI will force SEO professionals to move away from ranking approaches and instead build trust, authority, and presence within AI-driven ecosystems. Early adopters—who leverage structured data, high-quality content, and AI tools themselves—will have sustained advantages as search becomes more about contextual relevance and brand authority, and less about keywords.

Hershel Glueck · Answer

In the next five years, I believe eco-friendly production will transform the game manufacturing industry. Customers are increasingly asking about recyclable packaging, lower-impact materials, and sustainable options. The technology behind these processes is advancing, and I see a future where sustainable practices are viewed as minimum requirements rather than optional extras. For us, it means investing early so we can meet that demand without sacrificing quality.

Usama Chaudhry · Answer

In the next five years, AI-powered talent matching and workforce analytics will have the most significant impact on Human Resources (HR) and Talent Management. This technology goes beyond simple keyword matching by using machine learning to analyze candidates' skills, work history, and performance patterns to predict the best fit for a role. 
For staffing firms, this means dramatically improving placement speed and quality while reducing human bias in the hiring process. The ability to harness real-time data will also allow us to anticipate client workforce needs, optimize candidate pipelines, and offer predictive insights that create a strategic advantage. 
AI-driven recruitment will transform staffing from a reactive process into a proactive, data-driven operation, improving efficiency, retention rates, and the overall candidate and client experience.

Ryan Stone · Answer

One of the most significant trends we're seeing is the rise of generative AI in animation. The idea that, within five years, we could create short animated clips or fully rendered 3D models to near-Pixar quality, without a full animation team, is staggering. Tools are already emerging that allow for scene generation, motion capture, lighting, and rigging with minimal input. While that doesn't replace animators entirely, it fundamentally reshapes their role: from creators to curators, directors, and refiners of AI-generated output. The speed, scalability, and accessibility this offers could completely rewrite the production model for animated content.

Neil Fried · Answer

I believe the most transformative trend in the next five years will be the convergence of sustainability with advanced technology, especially in how companies handle recycling and resource efficiency. For years, digital media and marketing technology have been built around scale and speed, but we are now seeing a shift toward accountability. Businesses that once measured success in clicks or conversions are being asked to demonstrate how their operations reduce waste, conserve energy, and make smarter use of materials. This is not just a reputational issue; it is becoming a growth driver.
What excites me is how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data platforms are evolving to track and optimize sustainability efforts at a granular level. When a company can use technology to close the loop on recycling or redesign its supply chain for efficiency, it creates both immediate cost benefits and long-term strategic value. I have always thrived in turbulent markets, and this moment feels similar. The companies that integrate sustainability with tech-driven innovation will not only stay ahead of regulation but will also redefine how partnerships and investments are evaluated. This integration is going to shape the future of corporate development.

Rory Keel · Answer

In the fashion industry, AI-driven predictive analytics is poised to have the most significant impact over the next five years. By combining consumer behavior data, social media trends, and regional sales patterns, brands can anticipate demand with greater precision, optimize inventory, and reduce waste. This capability not only improves profitability but also addresses sustainability concerns by minimizing overproduction and excess stock.
The reasoning is twofold: efficiency and consumer personalization. Predictive analytics allows designers and merchandisers to make data-informed decisions rather than relying solely on intuition, while enabling tailored product offerings that resonate with individual customer preferences. Early adopters will gain a competitive advantage, improving speed-to-market and aligning production closely with real-world demand, ultimately reshaping how fashion businesses operate and engage with their audiences.

Vincent Carrié · Answer

AI copilots will revolutionize all operations at our agency and similar organizations. The technology enhances our operational capabilities while requiring us to develop alternative pricing models for our services. The process of creating early drafts and conducting market research and headline testing used to require multiple hours of work. A strategist who uses appropriate AI workflows can now complete tasks that previously needed 2 days to finish within 2 hours. The combination of accelerated launch times with reduced team sizes enables organizations to develop new methods for assessing value that move away from traditional billing systems.
The organization employs AI technology to create marketing prototypes, perform lead classification and feedback clustering, and produce multiple creative content versions for different platforms. The system enables professionals to concentrate on developing concepts and strategies while eliminating routine tasks from their workload. Organizations that fail to implement AI-based solutions will experience rapid decline in their market position.

Skandashree Bali · Answer

In the next five years, I believe AI-driven personalization in pet care will have the most significant impact on our industry. From tailoring nutrition and exercise plans to predicting health risks through wearable data, technology will allow pet parents to provide highly individualized care. At Pawland, we see this as a game-changer—not just in improving pet well-being, but also in building deeper trust between pet parents and service providers.
Skandashree BaliCEO & Co-Founder, Pawland | https://www.pawland.com

Justin Smith · Answer

"The real power of AI lies in how it amplifies human judgment, transforming decision-making, customer experience, and growth potential."
In my view, the tech trend that will have the most significant impact in the next five years is the seamless integration of AI with human decision-making. The real power isn't just in automation; it's in how AI enhances human judgment, making businesses faster, smarter, and more customer-centric. For us, that means leveraging AI not only to process massive data sets but also to personalize customer experiences at scale and identify growth opportunities we couldn't see before. The companies that thrive will be the ones that treat AI as a strategic partner, not just a tool.

Edward Tian · Answer

AI is, of course, going to have a major impact on virtually every industry, but the tech industry in particular is one that will be significantly impacted, perhaps more than the rest. Everything from "vibe coding" to the roles of software engineers transitioning into AI engineers is going to shape and mold a new tech industry. AI is also going to create a lot more problems for the tech industry to solve, like energy usage. I think there will be many impacts that we aren't even aware of at this moment.

Alex Smereczniak · Answer

The tech trend I see having the biggest impact on franchising over the next five years is AI-powered personalization. Currently, many people find franchises through scattered searches or brokers, which isn't always transparent or efficient. AI allows platforms like Franzy to match prospective owners with opportunities that actually fit their budget, experience, and goals. Over the next few years, this kind of intelligent matchmaking will likely become standard, helping more people make informed decisions and making the franchise discovery process faster and more accessible.

Illustrious Espiritu · Answer

A lot of aspiring leaders think that to predict the future, they have to be a master of a single channel. They focus on measuring IT metrics or a specific software's performance. However, that's a huge mistake. A leader's job isn't to be a master of a single function. Their job is to be a master of the entire business's effectiveness.
The tech trend with the most significant impact will be the integration of predictive maintenance and telematics directly into OEM Cummins and diesel engine diagnostics. It taught me to learn the language of operations. We stop thinking about the trend as a technology problem and start thinking like business leaders. The technology's job isn't just to work. It's to ensure that the company can actually fulfill its customer needs profitably.
My reasoning is that the trend allows us to get out of the "silo" of reactive service. Predictive maintenance directly impacts operational efficiency. It enables the marketing team to offer a proactive service—a guaranteed part delivery before the engine fails. This predictability impacts the "operational" efficiency of our supply chain by allowing us to anticipate demand accurately, eliminating rush shipping and inventory costs.
The impact this had on my career was profound. I went from being a good marketing person to someone who could lead an entire business. I learned that the best technology in the world is a failure if the operations team can't deliver on the promise. The best way to be a leader is to understand every part of the business.
My advice is to stop thinking of a tech trend as a separate feature. You have to see it as part of a larger, more complex system. The best technology is the one that can speak the language of operations and can understand the entire business. That's a product that is positioned for success.

Jeremy Yamaguchi · Answer

In the pool services industry, I can see AI having an increasing impact in the coming years. I cannot imagine an industry where it will not have an impact. I can envision more and more service companies implementing AI in their customer service or scheduling processes. I can also see AI significantly improving the technology of pool cleaning products, such as robotic vacuum cleaners.

23 Tips for Evaluating Whether to Adopt a New Tech Trend

23 Tips for Evaluating Whether to Adopt a New Tech Trend

AI Evolves from Tool to Strategic Partner

Agentic AI Transforms Customer Interactions

Solving the Data Bottleneck in AI

AI-Driven Personalized Learning Reshapes Training

AI Security Tools Revolutionize Cybersecurity

Embedded Banking Redefines Financial Services

Drone-Based Thermal Imaging Transforms Roofing

AI Personalization Shapes Local Business Offerings

Generative AI Revolutionizes Outsourcing Industry

AI-Powered Legal Document Automation Emerges

AI Transforms Search Engine Optimization Strategies

Eco-Friendly Production Reshapes Game Manufacturing

AI-Powered Talent Matching Revolutionizes HR

Generative AI Reshapes Animation Production

Sustainability Converges with Advanced Technology

AI-Driven Analytics Revolutionizes Fashion Industry

AI Copilots Transform Agency Operations

AI Personalization Enhances Pet Care Services

AI Amplifies Human Judgment in Business

AI Reshapes Software Engineering Landscape

AI Matchmaking Transforms Franchise Discovery

Predictive Maintenance Integrates with Engine Diagnostics

AI Impacts Pool Services Industry