This is a submission for the 2025 New Year Writing challenge: Predicting 2025.

The year 2024 witnessed a transformative leap in the tech world, with AI firmly taking the lead. From the advent of advanced large language models (LLMs) to groundbreaking developments in video generation and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), the landscape of innovation was rich and dynamic. As we step into 2025, let’s dive into what the future holds, predicting the trends, technologies, and tools that will dominate industry headlines.

The Rise of Agentic AI

2024 set the stage for Agentic AI, but 2025 is poised to be its breakout year. As NVIDIA’s CEO aptly stated, the IT departments of today might soon evolve into the HR departments of AI agents. Companies will begin building specialized AI agents to automate repetitive tasks, optimize workflows, and generate new revenue streams. This paradigm shift will empower individuals and businesses alike, enabling people to create and deploy their own AI agents tailored to specific needs.

Big tech companies are already investing heavily in Agentic AI, and frameworks like LangChain will likely gain even more traction. LangChain’s modular approach to building AI-driven workflows will attract a broader audience, from startups to enterprises, as businesses seek to simplify the adoption of these powerful tools.

The Decline of Traditional DevOps?

A bold prediction for 2025 is that the role of DevOps engineers as we know it may start to fade. With platforms like Vercel automating deployment, CI/CD pipelines, and server management, the need for manual DevOps processes is diminishing. These platforms offer seamless backend and frontend hosting—Next.js, for instance, allows developers to host both on a single server effortlessly.

This trend could lead to a shift where developers focus more on building and less on deployment, while backend-as-a-service solutions like Firebase continue to rise in popularity. As these platforms mature, they will likely handle an increasing share of the infrastructure work traditionally managed by DevOps teams.

The Dominance of Next.js and Serverless Architectures

Next.js, with its powerful features like server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG), is set to become the go-to framework for web development. The ability to host backend and frontend together simplifies development pipelines and reduces operational complexity.

Moreover, serverless architectures will continue to thrive. Services like AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, and Firebase will attract more developers and businesses seeking scalable, cost-effective solutions. These platforms will reduce the barrier to entry for startups, enabling them to launch quickly without heavy infrastructure investments.

The Shift in Mobile App Development

React Native is gaining momentum as the preferred framework for mobile app development. Its ability to deliver a seamless cross-platform experience with a single codebase is a significant advantage over Flutter. In 2025, we can expect more companies to adopt React Native for its efficiency and developer-friendly ecosystem, further solidifying its position in the market.

2025 promises to be a transformative year for technology. From Agentic AI redefining workflows to platforms like Vercel and Firebase simplifying development, the future is bright and full of potential. While some roles and practices may evolve or diminish, new opportunities will emerge, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.