The artificial intelligence landscape is poised for a significant shift in 2025, with autonomous agents and profitability taking center stage. This prediction emerged from interviews with business leaders and researchers at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York.
The Rise of AI Agents
AI agents, sophisticated systems capable of performing tasks like scheduling and purchasing without direct human intervention, have long been a goal in AI research. Recent advancements in step-by-step reasoning, similar to those employed in OpenAI’s models, suggest that this ambition is within reach.
OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar expressed confidence in the rapid advancement of agent technology. “I think we are going to see a lot of motion next year around agents, and I think people are going to be surprised at how fast this technology comes at us,” she stated, emphasizing the potential of agents to revolutionize daily tasks in 2025.
Friar also offered insights into the timeline for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), a point where AI surpasses human capabilities in most economically valuable tasks. She predicted AGI’s arrival in the “shorter term,” asserting, “I don’t believe it’s a decade away.”
AI’s Impact on Business Operations and Profitability
The practical applications of these advancements are already evident. George Mathew, Managing Director at Insight Partners, highlighted the transformative impact of AI on both front and back-office functions. He cited Relevance AI, a portfolio company, as an example, showcasing AI-powered digital sales teams operating at a fraction of the labor cost of human counterparts.
This emphasis on efficiency and cost reduction led Molly Alter, a venture capitalist at Northzone, to declare 2025 “the year of profitability for AI.” She anticipates a shift from prioritizing revenue growth to leveraging AI for margin improvement. “This year, it’s going to be, instead of all about grow, grow, grow, it’s going to be, ‘wow, if I use AI, my margins are going up.'”
Beyond Experimentation: AI Integration in Established Businesses
The adoption of AI extends beyond the tech startup realm. Major banks and corporations are integrating AI into their workflows. BNY Mellon CEO Robin Vince revealed that thousands of employees now utilize AI-powered agents for daily tasks, leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance productivity and generate insights.
“We’re investing in and we have tools live that create more leverage for our people, that create solutions for clients, and insights and data for clients that otherwise would have been almost impossible to derive through traditional means,” Vince stated.
Conclusion: A Transformative Year for AI
The convergence of agent technology and a focus on profitability signals a pivotal moment for AI. 2025 promises to be a year of significant advancements, impacting businesses across various sectors and potentially revolutionizing daily tasks for individuals. The rapid pace of development and integration suggests that AI’s transformative potential is on the verge of being fully realized.
