2025 Predictions Showcase
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2025 Predictions from Thought Leaders in Infrastructure Technology
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2025 Predictions from Networking, Cloud, Security, and Telecommunications Thought Leaders
Views and predictions expressed are those of the presenting individuals and companies and may not necessarily represent views of Converge! Network Digest or AvidThink.
ROTATING PREDICTIONS HIGHLIGHTS
3 Game-Changing Data Center Trends Shaping AI Infrastructure by 2025
Nigel Alvares, VP of Global Marketing at Marvell, outlines three major data center predictions, including cloud providers moving to fully custom infrastructure and the evolution of AI cluster configurations — growing AI workloads will push organizations to adopt multi-site data centers with enhanced interconnect capabilities.
AI, Innovation, and Network Automation in 2025
Mike Bushong, Vice President, Data Center at Nokia, outlines three predictions for 2025 including AI initiative adjustments, renewed focus on practical innovation, and increased network automation adoption. His analysis suggests organizations will embrace multi-vendor control solutions while adapting to workforce changes and operational requirements.
AI Infrastructure Predictions That Will Shape 2025
Shekar Ayyar, CEO of Arrcus, outlines three major AI infrastructure predictions for 2025, including a shift from training to inference and the deployment of AI models at network edges. His analysis highlights how Arrcus is developing intelligent networks with optimized channels for power and cost efficiency, while integrating security features directly into routing and switching infrastructure.
AI, Quantum & Network Evolution
Matt Swinden, MD Digital Connectivity at BT Business, discusses emerging technology trends including quantum encryption, AI-driven network optimization, and the convergence of wireless access with satellite technologies.
MORE PREDICTIONS FROM INDUSTRY THOUGHT LEADERS
AI CapEX Surge and Network Impact
Alan Weckel, Founder and Technology Analyst at 650 Group, forecasts AI’s dominance in 2025 with unprecedented hyperscaler spending and equipment needs driving 300-400% growth in AI ASICs and 100% growth in GPUs. The acceleration of networking speeds through AI fabrics and 1.6T connectivity creates major opportunities for network vendors in this expanding trillion-dollar ecosystem.
2025 Tech Forecast: Wi-Fi 7, Storage Evolution & Telecom Market Challenges
Chris DePuy, Co-founder & Analyst at 650 Group, examines key market expectations for 2025, including the Enterprise Wi-Fi market’s growth with Wi-Fi 7 and the shift toward flash-based storage solutions in hyperscale environments. His analysis highlights potential challenges in the telecommunications sector, where conflicting expectations about component pricing could impact vendor margins and industry dynamics.
3 Critical Network Trends Shaping 2025
Mattias Fridström, Chief Evangelist at Arelion, outlines three essential predictions for 2025, focusing on fiber availability for network resilience, power infrastructure requirements for AI advancement, and mandatory sustainability reporting. His analysis highlights how network operators must adapt to increasing demands for route diversity while balancing power resources and environmental responsibilities.
Edge AI vs Cloud: 2025 Predictions from Former IBM Research CTO | AI Computing Future
Evangelos Eleftheriou, CTO of Axelera AI, draws from his extensive IBM Research background to predict a significant movement from cloud to edge AI computing by 2025, citing benefits in latency reduction, efficiency, and data privacy. He anticipates that conventional AI applications, especially in computer vision, will lead edge computing growth, while Axelera AI develops advanced chips to support both current and future edge AI needs.
AI, MSPs, and Cybersecurity: 3 Game-Changing Predictions for 2025
Manoj Srivastava, Chief Technology and Product Officer at Blackpoint, outlines his vision for AI security challenges and MSP evolution in 2025, highlighting the emerging conflict between beneficial and malicious AI applications built on large language models. His analysis emphasizes how MSPs will adopt unified security approaches while balancing specialized tools with comprehensive platform solutions to enhance customer protection.
Optical DSP Evolution - Pluggables and More
Chris Collins, VP of Sales & Marketing for Optical DSPs at Credo, outlines predictions for 2025 including the emergence of 1.6T transceivers and power-efficient 3nm DSP devices. He highlights how optical link reliability will be essential for AI clusters while the optical ecosystem expands beyond traditional suppliers to support growing market needs.
Ethernet, Standards & Copper's Comeback
Don Barnetson, VP Product – HiWire AECs at Credo, forecasts key networking shifts for 2025, including InfiniBand’s reduced role as Ethernet becomes the standard for scale-out networks and proprietary interfaces align with 224G IEEE Ethernet standards. His analysis highlights how liquid cooling’s space advantages will drive renewed interest in copper connectivity for NIC-to-switch connections, offering better power efficiency and reliability at lower costs.
AI, Space Internet & Humanoid Robots 🚀
DE-CIX CEO Ivo Ivanovich leads a global internet exchange operation spanning 58 markets and connecting over 3,700 networks worldwide. As head of DE-CIX, Ivanovich forecasts major shifts in AI services, space-based internet connectivity, and robotics advancement through 2025.
2025 Tech Forecast: AI, 5G & WAN Reshape Enterprise Networks | Expert Predictions
Archana Khetan, SVP of Product Management and Technical Marketing at Ericsson, anticipates major networking shifts in 2025, including wider WAN adoption and expanded AI capabilities beyond operations. She expects the integration of 5G and AI will enable new edge computing applications, particularly for mobile scenarios, while emphasizing distributed security solutions for AI implementations.
Fiber Industry M&A, Data Centers, and Funding Shifts
Bill Major, CEO of Fiberlight, forecasts intense M&A activity in 2025 across enterprise fiber, fiber-to-the-tower, and fiber-to-the-home markets, while highlighting strong data center growth and Bitcoin mining’s expanding influence.
3 Game-Changing Enterprise Wireless Network Trends That Will Define 2025 | Expert View
Kelly Burroughs, Enterprise Solutions Director at iBwave, forecasts that enterprise wireless networks in 2025 will see expanded private network adoption across industries like energy and healthcare, while supporting multiple wireless technologies for indoor and outdoor connectivity. She highlights that simplified deployment methods and enhanced partnerships will make private networks more attainable for businesses.
3 Optical Networking Trends That Will Define 2025
Tim Doiron, VP of Solution Marketing at Infinera, shares his vision for 2025’s optical networking landscape, highlighting advancements in Next Generation Optical engines and compact modular systems. His analysis points to significant progress in open optical automation, with network operators embracing multivendor solutions across coherent pluggables, optical line systems, and embedded optical engines.
AI, 5G & Data Processing
Gretchen Tinnerman, GM, US Telco, Media and Technology Market at Kyndryl, outlines three key trends for telecommunications in 2025, including AI-driven networking, micro industry vertical expansion, and enhanced data processing capabilities. The Kyndryl Readiness survey indicates only 43% of telecom leaders believe their IT infrastructure is fully prepared for future risks, highlighting the importance of these emerging trends.
Cloud-Native Networking and Beyond
Ranny Haiby, CTO of Networking, Edge/IoT, Access at Linux Foundation, outlines three major networking trends for 2024 including cloud-native adoption maturity, Open RAN acceleration, and non-terrestrial networks. These trends reflect the industry’s focus on expanding connectivity options and improving network architectures through initiatives like the Cloud Native Telco project and satellite network integration.
2025 Tech Forecast: AI Drives Edge Computing & Nuclear-Powered Cloud Infrastructure
Ed Fox, CTO of MetTel, forecasts substantial IT infrastructure expansion in 2025, with edge computing and AI leading the advancement across cloud, enterprise, and satellite networks. He anticipates the emergence of small modular nuclear reactors for powering cloud infrastructure, while highlighting the critical role of encryption and decentralized identity management in securing these evolving systems.
AI & Tech Trends Reshaping Broadband Construction: 2025 Industry Forecast
Rob Laudati, VP, Products & Services at Render Networks, forecasts that AI will play a central role in optimizing network planning and construction while enhancing field operations through mobile technologies by 2025. His analysis points to the continued dominance of fiber technologies alongside emerging solutions like fixed wireless and satellite systems to meet growing bandwidth demands.
Game-Changing Broadband Industry Predictions
Jason Moore, Co-founder and CEO of RouteThis, outlines three predictions for broadband providers in 2025, focusing on heightened competition and the importance of customer experience. He highlights how data visibility will become essential for competitive advantage, enabling providers to enhance support operations and field service efficiency through advanced tools and real-time insights.
3 Game-Changing Network Predictions That Will Shape Your Business by 2025
John Capobianco, Product Marketing Evangelist at Selector, outlines three major networking predictions for 2025, including AI agents with specialized functions, digital twins for network testing, and the widespread adoption of automation. His analysis draws from extensive industry experience to highlight how these technological advances will shape enterprise networking practices and organizational expectations.
3 Game-Changing Tech Predictions for 2025: AI, Network Security & 5G Evolution
Steve Douglas, Head of Market Strategy at Spirent, shares three major predictions for 2025 including network infrastructure as a service for AI, operational resilience becoming widespread across industries, and accelerated 5G developments. His analysis highlights how telecom providers will offer multi-tenant solutions while strengthening security measures and expanding 5G standalone deployments across global markets.
Linear Pluggable Optics Set to Redefine Data Centers
Armond Hairapetian, Founder and CTO of Terasignal, identifies three major networking developments for 2025, including linear optics adoption for high-speed interfaces, retiming driver advancements, and enhanced link training algorithms. His analysis highlights how these changes will lead to significant improvements in latency, power efficiency, and cost reduction across networking and compute applications.
Private Networks Set to Soar: The Future of Enterprise Connectivity in 2025
Bruce Lancaster, CEO of Wilson Connectivity, forecasts substantial private networking growth in 2025 as enterprise solutions become more affordable and accessible. The expansion is fueled by automation requirements for industrial equipment and IoT devices that need the performance advantages of 5G-based private networks.