Forget AI: These tech trends should be on your spotlight

AI is everywhere, and yeah, it’s awesome. But let’s not forget, it’s not the only game-changer in tech. While AI grabs the spotlight, other exciting innovations are shaping the future too. So, let’s dive into the biggest tech trends of 2025 that go beyond AI.

The Internet of Things (IoT): The hidden game-changer

Remember when we were kids and the idea of talking to our house, controlling things with a remote, or having our fridge tell us what’s missing felt like something out of a sci-fi movie? Well, that future is here, and it’s called the Internet of Things (IoT).

IoT is already everywhere, and it’s growing fast. According to Statista, there were around 18 billion IoT connections worldwide in 2024, and that number is expected to soar to 32.1 billion by 2030. Spending on IoT is forecasted to reach $800 billion in 2025.

So, what exactly is IoT? Simply put, it connects everyday devices to the internet so they can communicate with each other and with us. Think smart thermostats that adjust the temperature before you even get home, security cameras that send live feeds to your phone, and wearables that track your fitness and health stats in real time.

If it’s “smart,” it’s likely an IoT device.

An IoT system relies on four essential components to function. First are the sensors, which serve as the eyes and ears of the device by gathering data from the environment. A security camera detects motion, a smart thermostat senses temperature changes, and a smartwatch tracks your heart rate. Once the data is collected, it needs a way to travel. This is where connectivity comes in, allowing IoT devices to transmit information through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular networks. For instance, your smart doorbell sends an instant notification to your phone when someone rings it.

The next step is data processing. Some devices handle this locally, while others send the information to the cloud for analysis. AI can also assist in making real-time decisions based on the data, such as when a security system automatically recognizes the difference between a human and a stray animal. Finally, the user interface lets you interact with the device. This can be through a smartphone app, a website, or a voice assistant, allowing you to monitor, control, and customize your IoT system according to your needs.

IoT is not just transforming homes; it is reshaping industries as well. In healthcare, wearables track patients’ vital signs and alert doctors to potential issues before they escalate. In manufacturing, sensors predict when machines need maintenance, preventing costly breakdowns. Transportation is also becoming smarter, with connected vehicles optimizing routes, improving fuel efficiency, and securing shipments.

As everything becomes more connected, IoT is quietly transforming our lives. It may not attract as much attention as AI, but behind the scenes, it is making a significant impact.

Augmented and virtual reality: The next big shift

Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Meta, and Qualcomm are making major investments in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). Apple has its Vision Pro, Microsoft offers the HoloLens, and Meta brings the Quest headset and Ray-Ban Meta Glasses to the table.

While VR feels cutting-edge, it isn’t entirely new. Remember those plastic View-Masters from childhood? You’d pop in a reel and see 3D images that made you feel transported to another place. That old-school stereoscope technology was essentially the early ancestor of today’s VR headsets.

Now, VR is making waves in gaming, entertainment, education, and even healthcare. Steam features an entire section dedicated to VR games, and companies are using VR for everything from virtual house tours to immersive employee training. According to Statista, the global AR and VR market is projected to grow by $21.7 billion from 2024 to 2029, reaching an estimated $62.03 billion.

AR is also advancing rapidly. Instead of immersing you in a fully virtual environment, AR overlays digital elements onto the real world. Popular examples include Pokémon Go or the filters used on social media. In the future, AR glasses could even replace smartphones by allowing users to navigate, send messages, and browse the web through simple eye movements.

What’s next?

While AI is undeniably changing the world, let’s not overlook the other tech revolutions happening right in front of us. IoT is making everything smarter and more connected, and AR/VR is bringing us closer to the digital world than ever before.

As we move into 2025, the tech landscape is evolving fast, and these innovations prove that the future isn’t just about AI. It’s about all these technologies working together to make life easier, cooler, more immersive, and most importantly, more fun.