The 2-Z of 2025 predictions: V is for verticals part 2

Part 2 of V is for verticals continues here. Read part 1 at https://www.techtradeasia.com/2025/01/the-2-z-of-2025-predictions-v-is-for.html

Manufacturing: digital twins

Siemens has seen increased demand for comprehensive digital twins as more companies transition to full Industry 4.0 operations. 

"A comprehensive digital twin, which goes beyond the standard single-product digital twin, enables engineers to simulate the functioning of complex systems and processes. This includes monitoring operational performance to enhance efficiency," shared Alex Teo, VP & MD, Southeast Asia, Siemens Digital Industries Software.

Media and entertainment: AI adoption

Source: NVIDIA. Kerris.

Think interactivity in 2025, said Richard Kerris, VP, Media and Entertainment, NVIDIA. "AI will continue to revolutionise entertainment with hyperpersonalised content on every screen, from TV shows to live sports. Using generative AI and advanced vision-language models, platforms will offer immersive experiences tailored to individual tastes, interests and moods. Imagine teaser images and sizzle reels crafted to capture the essence of a new show or live event and create an instant personal connection," he said.

"In live sports, AI will enhance accessibility and cultural relevance, providing language dubbing, tailored commentary and local adaptations. AI will also elevate binge-watching by adjusting pacing, quality and engagement options in real time to keep fans captivated. This new level of interaction will transform streaming from a passive experience into an engaging journey that brings people closer to the action and each other," Kerris elaborated. 

AI-driven platforms will also foster meaningful connections with audiences by customising recommendations and content to individual preferences, Kerris added. "AI’s hyperpersonalisation will allow viewers to discover hidden gems, reconnect with old favourites and feel seen. For the industry, AI will drive growth and innovation, introducing new business models and enabling global content strategies that celebrate unique viewer preferences, making entertainment feel boundless, engaging and personally crafted," he predicted.

A sizzle reel is a short video used as a teaser or promotion.

Public sector: identity authentication

Biometrics could come into play at geographical borders, iProov suggested. "The use of facial verification at border crossings will spread rapidly, speeding up passenger processing and enhancing security," the company predicted. 

"Automated systems will optimise passenger flow, reduce congestion, and slash wait times while dramatically reducing the load on border officials. Privacy will be prioritised, with travellers opting in and data protected by decentralised identity technologies." 

The company also forecast that 2025 will see a global surge in government-issued digital ID programmes driven by security threats and the demand for seamless online services. "Countries will accelerate efforts to deploy national digital ID systems, putting secure digital identities in citizens' hands. This shift, fueled by the limitations of physical documents and the need for stronger cybersecurity, will pave the way for a more secure and inclusive digital future," iProov said.

Public sector: disaster preparedness: open data

"Disaster resilience will be fundamentally transformed through the power of hyperlocal, community-sourced data. This shift will redefine disaster management from a top-down, reactive model to one that is proactive, decentralised, and community-driven," said Dr Werner Vogels, CTO, Amazon.

"At the core of effective disaster preparedness is data—the ability to collect and use it within a structured framework. While top-down relief efforts have advantages, such as mobilising large-scale resources, they often lack the nimbleness and dynamism required for rapid response.

"We are witnessing a shift toward community-centric platforms that empower individuals to take charge of their safety. With the ubiquity of cell phones, communities are empowered to collect diverse, on-the-ground information. For example, during the 2022 floods in Lismore, Australia, residents used social media and Google Sheets to coordinate rescues—creating an impromptu data ecosystem," he said.

"These grassroots efforts are evolving into decentralised resilience systems. Advances in edge computing and satellite connectivity during disasters enable real-time data capture and processing, even in the harshest conditions. This technological evolution is not just about faster data—it’s about shifting power dynamics and bringing decision-making closer to those most affected. This ensures first responders and residents have immediate access to actionable insights, allowing them to make critical decisions without waiting for centralised systems to activate."

Amazon's Now Go Build CTO Fellowship includes the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) and Help.NGO in its first cohort, Dr Vogels shared. HOT mobilises over 500,000 volunteers globally to map vulnerable regions, while Help.NGO deploys drones and performs edge computing using AWS services for real-time disaster zone mapping.

Retail: AI adoption

NVIDIA's 2nd annual State of AI in Retail and CPG report found that 89% of respondents are either actively using AI in their operations or assessing AI projects, including trials and pilots (up from 82% in 2023), while 87% said AI has a positive effect in increasing annual revenue.

Source: NVIDIA. Martin.

Azita Martin, VP of Retail, Consumer-Packaged Goods and Quick-Service Restaurants, NVIDIA said that supercentres and grocery stores will become software-defined. Each outlet will run computer vision and sophisticated AI algorithms at the edge, she said.

"The transition will accelerate checkout, optimise merchandising and reduce shrink — the industry term for a product being lost or stolen," she said.

"Each store will be connected to a headquarters AI network, using collective data to become a perpetual learning machine. Software-defined stores that continually learn from their own data will transform the shopping experience."

A supercentre is a very large supermarket.

Retail: customer experience

Ben Chamlet, Senior Director for Solutions Engineering in APJ, Twilio said consumers are giving retailers a run for their loyalty.

"More brands will turn away from traditional 'earn-and-burn' models," he said, referring to the concept of rewarding customers after a specific amount of loyalty currency is accumulated.

"Customer loyalty programmes driven mainly by discounts and cashbacks are on their way out. Instead, brands will shift towards creating experiences that surprise and delight customers, making them feel valued as their individual preferences and behaviour are taken into account," Chamlet elaborated.

"For instance, instead of offering financial incentives, brands might surprise loyal customers with preferential access to new products, or exclusive invites to previews – which cost retailers little, but provide genuine value to loyal customers."

Chamlet said that retailers will prioritise strengthening ‘phygital’ loyalty programmes, combining in-store activations with special offers for loyalty members. "Brands will become more intentional about leveraging data to test, iterate, and quickly refine their loyalty strategies. In Singapore, for example, 45% of surveyed retailers are already leveraging data to personalise experiences, according to a recent survey conducted by Twilio at the National Retail Federation’s 2024 Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific," he said.

"Brands will use data not only to create meaningful moments for customers but also to remove friction from the journey—including streamlining checkout and simplifying rewards redemption."

Telecommunications: AI adoption

Source: NVIDIA. Vasishta.

Ronnie Vasishta, Senior VP of Telecoms, said that telcommunications providers will begin to deliver generative AI applications and 5G connectivity over the same network. "AI radio access network (AI-RAN) will enable telecom operators to transform traditional single-purpose base stations from cost centres into revenue-producing assets capable of providing AI inference services to devices, while more efficiently delivering the best network performance," he said.

"AI also will be used at the wireless network layer to enhance efficiency, deliver site-specific learning and reduce power consumption. Using AI as an intelligent performance improvement tool, operators will be able to continuously observe network traffic, predict congestion patterns and make adjustments before failures happen, allowing for optimal network performance." >

Vasishta also said the telecommunications industry will be among the first to use agentic AI for key business functions. "Telco operators will use AI agents for a wide variety of tasks, from suggesting money-saving plans to customers and troubleshooting network connectivity, to answering billing questions and processing payments," he said.

Sovereign AI will be an upcoming trend for the telco vertical, Vasishta added. "Nations will increasingly turn to telcos — which have proven experience managing complex, distributed technology networks — to achieve their sovereign AI objectives. The trend will spread quickly across Europe and Asia, where telcos in Switzerland, Japan, Indonesia and Norway are already partnering with national leaders to build AI factories that can use proprietary, local data to help researchers, startups, businesses and government agencies create AI applications and services," he shared. 

Sovereign AI refers to an entity such as a country or a business being able to control its own AI capabilities without relying on third parties.

Explore

More 2-Z predictions for 2025 are at https://www.techtradeasia.com/2025/01/the-techtrade-asia-2024-roundup-2025.html

Hashtag: #2025Predictions