If 2024 was all about figuring out how to use AI, 2025 is about making sure we use it right. We're seeing some big shifts in digital workplace tech already and this year will be all about balancing the transformative power of AI with the need to keep things safe and secure.
Shadow AI – the 'wild west' of work
Shadow AI is becoming a real head-scratcher for companies. You know how it goes - employees are discovering all these cool AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and now DeepSeek and are just running with them, often without IT's blessing. And honestly, can you blame them? These tools are incredible at streamlining work - they crunch spreadsheet data and solve problems in record time.
While these tools are helpful, using them without a plan can be risky. The numbers are pretty eye-opening: about 38% of employees are actually sharing sensitive work information with AI tools without getting permission first. People might share sensitive information without realising it, which can cause major headaches for companies.
Not to mention potential data security risks with the recent proliferation of DeepSeek and the reports that it “could send some user login information to a Chinese state-owned telecommunications company.”
This unofficial AI adoption is giving IT leaders some serious anxiety, and for good reason. It's not that employees are trying to be sneaky. They just want to get things done faster. Think about it though: in their quest for efficiency, employees are inadvertently feeding confidential company info into these AI systems without realising the risks.
According to IBM, without oversight, "employees can unknowingly expose the organisation to significant risks concerning data security, compliance and the company’s reputation.” It's kind of like the early days of cybersecurity, when we had to teach everyone not to click on suspicious email links. Now we need to create a similar culture of responsible AI use. We need to find a way to harness the power of AI safely, teaching employees to be good digital citizens, but for AI.
Self-healing tech is about to take over
Self-healing technology is still very new but it gaining a lot of attention - imagine a world where your computer can fix itself. That's the promise of self-healing systems. They automatically spot and fix issues before those issues can impact you. This makes life easier for everyone and keeps things running smoothly.
It’s not just about keeping employees satisfied—though that’s crucial. It’s equally about ensuring customers enjoy a seamless experience without technical hiccups that could drive them to competitors. When customers are happy, businesses thrive. Self-healing technology minimises downtime and eliminates frustrations, paving the way for increased sales and lasting customer satisfaction.
Looking ahead to 2025, we're likely to see self-healing technology pop up everywhere - from POS systems to kiosks and mobile apps. But for those businesses not yet ready for self-healing technologies, advanced monitoring tools are the next best thing to give your IT teams visibility over your entire tech infrastructure so they can detect and resolve issues proactively, to minimise downtime.
Focus on the human side of tech
Let's be honest, no one wants to work with clunky, frustrating technology. In fact, tech frustrations are actually driving people to quit their jobs. Studies show that about half of U.S. employees have either switched jobs or are hunting for new ones because they're fed up with their workplace technology.
That's why more companies are getting serious about what they call the "digital employee experience" or DEX. Gartner predicts that “by 2026, 50% of digital workplace leaders will have established a DEX strategy and tool, up from 30% in 2024.”
Thanks to more businesses recognising the need to empower their employees to do the best job that they can, by having the right tools at their disposal, companies are finally prioritising DEX for success.
It's all about control and collaboration
So what do these three digital workplace trends tell us about the big picture? To put it bluntly, it’s the end of IT as we know it. IT's role is evolving in a fascinating way. Remember when tech issues meant simply submitting a ticket and waiting for IT to fix it? Those days are gone and the trends point to one thing: IT needs to be more involved in how technology is used across the company.
It's no longer about fixing broken computers. IT needs to work with employees to ensure AI is used responsibly and that everyone has a positive experience with the business’ technologies. With AI everywhere, remote work becoming the norm, and devices multiplying like rabbits, IT teams are having to share tech responsibilities across entire organisations while somehow maintaining control and security.
This is exactly why IT needs that permanent seat at the leadership table. As we head into 2025 and beyond, IT is not just fixing computers anymore - they're crucial partners in helping organisations navigate the exciting but ever-changing digital technology waters.
It's a challenge, for sure, but by embracing these changes and working together, companies can unlock the full potential of technology while keeping everyone safe and productive.
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