Introduction

AI is reshaping business, but that’s only part of the story. McKinsey’s 2025 tech report reveals 13 trends shaping tomorrow’s economy.

What’s the problem it solves?

Tech moves fast, and companies often struggle to know where to focus or invest. This report helps leaders spot the most important technologies, understand where they are headed, and how to use them before competitors do.

Quick Summary

The 2025 McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook highlights 13 key innovations driving business and society forward. These trends fall into three big buckets: AI evolution, computing and connectivity, and advanced engineering. The report shows how these trends are changing fast, where investment is flowing, and how companies are applying them today.

One of the biggest shifts is the rise of “agentic AI” - smarter AI that can plan and act like a digital coworker. It’s still early, but interest and job demand have exploded. Other key trends include more powerful, task-specific chips built for AI, new ways of connecting the world (like 5G and satellites), and smarter robots and vehicles. At the same time, infrastructure and trust challenges are growing, and leaders must deal with complex problems like power supply, regulations, and workforce shifts.

The report warns that global competition is heating up. Countries are racing to secure chips, talent, and self-sufficient tech stacks. So companies can’t just wait and see. They need to act smart and fast - knowing which trends matter most for them, and how to scale safely and responsibly.

Key Takeaways

• AI is the strongest force in tech right now and fuels other trends too
• Agentic AI (AI that acts on its own) is growing fast and could change how we work
• Custom chips for AI tasks are booming due to massive computing needs
• Robots, self-driving tech, and new mobility ideas are advancing steadily
• Quantum tech and immersive reality are progressing but need more time
• Energy and sustainability tech is getting the most investment
• Scaling AI means solving real-world problems - power, people, and policy
• Trust, ethics, and global competition now shape how tech is adopted

What to do

• Focus on AI and agentic AI use cases for your business
• Invest in the right infrastructure (e.g., chips, cloud, energy supply)
• Prepare your team for AI-human collaboration and new workflows
• Track rising tech trends (e.g., robotics, quantum, space, bioengineering)
• Build internal systems for ethical, safe, and transparent tech use
• Stay alert to regulations and national policies that may impact tech use
• Don’t bet on every trend - pick the ones most relevant to your strategy
• Start small but build with scale in mind - future-proof your roadmap