10 Big Ideas that will change our world in 2025

The prospect of transformational change has been simmering beneath the surface of headlines for so long that it’s hard to tell what’s about to boil over — and what’s just noise.

Amid this uncertainty, 2024 may emerge as a turning point for Southeast Asia. With China’s economic slowdown persisting and a new US leader setting the nation’s course, the region’s economic future appears unclear. Meanwhile, rapid advancements in AI and escalating environmental challenges are already transforming how we work and live. In 2025, AI’s continued evolution and a changing global order shaped by emerging leaders are expected to further impact Southeast Asia’s economy and daily life.

Every December, LinkedIn News spotlights bold predictions, emerging trends and innovative ideas from our editors and experts around the world that are poised to shape the year ahead. This year’s 10 Big Ideas offer a glimpse into what may define 2025 and beyond.

Check out Beth Kutscher ’s analysis of the Big Ideas of what we got right — and wrong — with some of  last year’s Big Ideas predictions. And you can see our local Big Ideas for Australia, India, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, Europe, the UK, Latin America, the US and the Middle East (English, Arabic).

What prediction or trend do you expect to have the biggest impact in the year ahead? And why? Share your thoughts in the comments or by posting a video with #BigIdeas2025. 

By 2025, workplaces will embrace hyper-personalised employee experiences, offering flexibility and autonomy tailored to individual needs — think of it as Netflix recommendations, but for work, as change leader Friska Wirya puts it.

JLL's Future of Work Survey shows that 85% of APAC organisations require at least three days of office attendance, with many redesigning spaces to support hybrid and in-office work. To meet this demand for personalisation, companies are focusing on flexible hours, individualised learning paths, and adaptable work styles, which are quickly becoming essential for attracting and retaining talent. 

"The office is regaining its central role, and workplaces that cater to diverse needs — from accessibility and neurodiversity to cultural and work style preferences — will attract top talent," says Susheel Koul , CEO of JLL Work Dynamics, Asia Pacific. AI-enabled spaces and collaboration technology allow companies to create agile environments that adapt throughout the workweek.

"Generation Z, in particular, demands authenticity, inclusivity, and transparency, and they won’t settle for generic, corporate messaging. They expect every interaction to be an experience", adds Qinxin Khoo .

By Adrian Tay.

What does a truly personalised employee experience look like to you?

The integration of AI into our daily work routines has quickly become less of a novelty, and more of a cultural norm. Soon, it will become a necessity — something people will begin to expect from their tools at work — and spark a productivity revolution. 

The AI we have today will evolve into intelligent digital assistants that will be able to draft email responses, ready for you to send when you sign on to start your workday, help determine which meetings to join, and even assist in contract negotiations, reducing your overall workload. 

Over time, AI digital assistants will become fully customised, evolving into a “digital twin,” equipped with your work history and institutional knowledge. It will fundamentally change how we work, allowing us to prioritise the creative and strategic tasks that truly require the human touch and thoughtful focus time.

Back in 1926, Henry Ford revolutionised the work week, reducing it from 48 to 40 hours. Now, thanks to AI, a four-day workweek could become the norm — enabling the fifth workday to be used as a mindful retreat from daily tasks to be spent with friends, family or hobbies.

In the end, our digital twins will allow us to top Ford — and the implications for productivity, work-life balance and collaboration will be profound. A four-day workweek could truly be within reach.

By Eric S. Yuan, CEO of Zoom.

What do you think about the idea of having an AI assistant to help you free up time? Weigh in.

AI is stepping into the spotlight as a critical partner in decision-making. "It is now a strategic partner in everyday business, augmenting human ingenuity and decision-making,” says Peter Marrs , President, Asia Pacific Japan & Greater China, Dell Technologies .

Its ability to uncover insights often lost in the noise is also reshaping C-suite roles, says Lawrence Yong , MD of Circle M. For example, CEOs leverage AI for predictive analytics to anticipate trends, CMOs use it for personalised marketing, and COOs employ it to optimise operations and reduce costs.

A report from IBM reveals that 43% of CEOs already use generative AI to guide their strategic decisions. Research from Boston Consulting Group reinforces AI’s impact, showing that AI-assisted consultants complete tasks 40% faster and deliver higher-quality outcomes than their non-AI peers.

However, AI cannot replace human intuition. “Those who rely solely on data without balancing it with human insight will falter,” warns change leader Friska Wirya . ‘The winners will know when to lean into the precision of AI and when to draw on human empathy and judgement.”

While boards should embrace AI, they should also not abdicate their responsibility to it, reminds board director Su-Yen Wong, FSID .

By Adrian Tay

How are you preparing your team to embrace AI as a critical business partner?

In the year ahead, the US will firmly cement its role as a haven for foreign investment and capital expenditure. 

For decades, globalisation put a damper on the US as an investment destination. Persistently high production costs in the US created opportunities for China and India to gain pace.

However, an intensifying set of push and pull factors has redirected the spotlight back to the US. China’s cautious consumer and property market and Europe’s fragmentation and lack of growth have made these regions less attractive to investors. Meanwhile, conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have pushed investors to seek safety in the US.

The US’s unmatched capital market strength has enticed companies looking to be closer to their end consumers, and they are relocating their supply chains accordingly. This, combined with a business-friendly environment, has opened doors for semiconductor manufacturing, energy efficiency and electrification projects.

Carrots matter — the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act helped drive Taiwan’s TSMC Arizona to up its cumulative capital investment in its Phoenix site past US$65 billion in 2024, the state’s largest-ever foreign direct investment. While much remains to be seen in terms of US policy and regulation under the incoming administration, I expect the compelling US investment opportunities will continue to strengthen. 

The US comprises nearly 50% of the world’s capital, and its private sector is strong. While global lanes have changed as supply chains diversify, it’s clear that all roads still lead to the US.

By Jane Fraser , CEO of Citi

"In Asia Pacific (APAC) – a region known for its vast geographic diversity, rapid growth and regulatory and political complexity – unique transport and distribution challenges will bring a layer of intricacies," Glen Hilton explains.

More than 50% of the decline in global growth in recent years has been due to tepid productivity gains. In the coming year, major economies will invest in their workforces to turn this around. 

Over the past few years, global economic policymaking has been preoccupied with many other things — dealing with the pandemic and its aftermath, navigating global conflicts and geopolitical tensions, fighting inflation and avoiding a global recession.

The global economy has persevered and shown remarkable resilience through it all. But it has been left with a worrying legacy of low growth and high debt. Now is the time for global economies to capitalise on the resilience it has developed in recent years to focus on growth. We can do that by making work work better for more people.

Policymakers in 2025 will need to invest in reforms like reducing barriers to competition, cutting red tape and advancing digitalization, to name just a few. The right reforms can help boost productivity, enhance skills and seize the benefits of the green and digital transitions. Governments will need help from the private sector, who can provide capital and innovation, to pull this off.

We will raise our growth ambitions and create good jobs where people need them most.

By Kristalina Georgieva , Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund

What do you think about the idea of having an AI assistant to help you free up time? Weigh in.

By 2025, employee benefits will transform as companies shift from traditional perks like retirement plans and insurance to personalised well-being solutions such as meditation- and coaching apps, gym memberships or flexible working arrangements. 

This shift reflects changing demographics. Singapore's workforce, once dominated by Boomers and Gen X, now sees a growing presence of Gen Z and soon, Gen Alpha. Randstad research highlights that while younger workers prioritise well-being and flexibility, older workers value financial security and pensions. To meet these diverse needs, organisations are moving away from one-size-fits-all benefits.

Beyond demographics, this change is a strategic move to attract and retain talent in a competitive market.

"Employees now expect benefits that cater to their individual needs and preferences rather than a generic package," says Primus Lee , Executive Director at Howden Singapore. Charu Srivastava AMIPRS , Co-Founder of TriOn & Co , adds, "Employees across generations increasingly seek work benefits that address their well-being."

Some companies are already adapting to meet these evolving needs. TSMC , the world’s largest contract chipmaker, recently launched a flexible benefits plan that lets employees customise perks. This includes pet care, as it recognises pets as "important family members" in today's society. Similarly, Gushcloud International has partnered with Tinder to provide employees in the region with company-sponsored subscriptions and "Tinder Leave" to support their social well-being.

The economic impact is clear: companies embracing personalised benefits are likely to see higher retention, reduced absenteeism and better overall performance.

By Thomas de Man and Adrian Tay

How would a shift toward personalised employee benefits impact workplace culture or productivity?

AI is set to revolutionise workplace inclusivity by enabling people with disabilities to join the workforce like never before. Companies like Google have started developing inclusive speech recognition models. Roman Matla , APAC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director at Google , shares that the company is creating a private dataset to train machine learning models for better understanding diverse speech patterns.

A WEF report on AI and disability inclusion highlights that excluding people with disabilities can cost up to 7% of a country’s GDP. Implementing a disability-inclusive business strategy with assistive AI could result in 28% higher revenue and 30% higher profit margins for companies.

Roughly 690 million people in Asia-Pacific live with disabilities, and AI's adaptability has the potential to be life-changing for them, says Ahmed Mazhari , former President of Microsoft Asia.

“As someone who navigates life in a wheelchair, I’ve seen firsthand how tools like voice recognition, predictive text, and adaptive interfaces open doors that were previously closed. These advancements aren’t just about convenience — they’re about giving us the autonomy to perform, contribute, and thrive,” says diversity and inclusion leader Alister Ong . AI might also keep making recruitment more inclusive and could offer employees learning opportunities and processes tailored to their specific needs, including for neurodivergent individuals.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 2.5 billion disabled individuals will require assistive products globally by 2030. Andy Bentote , regional managing director, Asia Pacific at PageGroup , adds, “With 75% of employers globally struggling to find the talent they need, embracing assistive AI for persons with disabilities offers a great opportunity for them to tap into this underrepresented and highly capable talent pool.”

By Neha Jain Kale

How could AI tools shape the future of workplace inclusion?

For more DEI conversations, follow:

• Alister Ong
• Jonathan Tiong
• Shawn Lim 🏳️🌈

In 2025, surgeons might be at the forefront of expanding global health possibilities — and still make it home for dinner. Remote surgery — which utilizes both robotic technology and wireless networking to connect patients and surgeons who are geographically distant — has been growing since its first successful operation in 2001. 

The continued expansion of 5G brings strong hope that this procedure can spread further. In June, a Chinese surgeon performed the world’s first transcontinental robotic prostate removal, using a surgical console connected to robotic arms 8,000 km away via a 5G network and fibre-optic links.

In August, a Shanghai surgeon performed a lung cancer operation on a patient 5,000 km away using a 5G-enabled robot. A month later, a Bordeaux-based urologist removed a kidney tumour from a Beijing patient 8,000 km away, also via remote robotic surgery.

“Telesurgery is one of the most important development directions in the future of surgery,” said Zhang Xu, director of urology at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, who led the groundbreaking operation in June.

Advancements in 5G and augmented reality are driving progress in telesurgery, offering real-time guidance and collaboration, says Shady Saikali MD, FACS , a specialist in robotic and minimally invasive urology surgery.

With 143 million additional surgeries needed globally, telesurgery could help bridge the gap, improve surgical education, and expand access. However, challenges like cross-border approvals, accountability and patient consent remain.

According to Saikali, more hospitals will adopt telesurgery-capable robots, with initial growth focusing on refining models locally before expanding to long-distance procedures.

By Emilie Tôn and Adrian Tay

How could the growth of remote surgery transform global healthcare access and medical collaboration?

Get ready to meet a new colleague next year: the office influencer. With Gen Z's unrelenting demand for brand authenticity and personal connection, more employers are poised to hire in-house influencers in 2025 to give their online presence a relatable touch.

Unlike traditional content creators who participate in one-off brand deals, office influencers will be full-time employees at established employers.

These social media personalities will capture their company's essence on video, producing everything from day-in-the-life vlogs to Q&A sessions with colleagues. They'll also jump on the latest social media trends to inject humour into employer branding, while coaching senior executives on effectively using video to communicate company news, such as earnings announcements.

In B2C, companies like AirAsia are already leading the charge. Terence S. , AirAsia ’s Head of Marketing for Hong Kong and Macao, highlights how their cabin crew double as campaign stars and event hosts, taking on roles like DJing and emceeing.

B2B companies are also tapping employees as brand advocates. Subject matter experts and key opinion leaders (KOLs) are driving conversations by sharing insights on company updates and industry trends, explains Dr. (h.c.) Jaslyin Qiyu , MD at Mad About Marketing Consulting . Such employee-driven content not only amplifies voices but also strengthens global perspectives and industry positioning.

Office influencers aren’t just a trend — they’re the future of workplace branding.

By Gianna Prudente and Adrian Tay

How do you think the rise of in-house influencers will transform workplace culture and employer branding in the year ahead?

Ordering a beer at a bar might come with a new question: with or without alcohol? The global market for non-alcoholic beverages is set to surge by 2025, fueled by the rise of the NoLo (non-alcoholic and low-alcohol) movement. Research from IWSR projects that in the world’s top 10 markets, consumption of NoLo beverages will grow by an average of 6% annually from 2023 to 2027. In 2023 alone, the market was valued at over US$13 billion.

The shift is largely driven by younger generations, who are prioritising wellness, moderation and mindful drinking. They’re moving away from alcohol and toward health conscious alternatives. But it’s not just young people embracing this trend — individuals of all ages are showing interest in what’s being called a “sober-curious” lifestyle, as they reconsider alcohol’s role in their lives. This change has gained momentum especially since the pandemic, with wellness taking centre stage.

The market response has been swift, with a wave of startups entering the scene to develop alcohol-free beers and spirits, adding momentum to this fast-growing market. “Consumers are increasingly looking for ways to enjoy social drinks without the effects of alcohol,” says Matt Agnew, founder of an Australian non-alcoholic beer startup.

Major beverage giants are also reshaping strategies. Industry leaders in Asia like Suntory, Asahi, ThaiBev and Tiger Beer are expanding their focus on non-alcoholic beverages, signaling a major shift in the social drinking landscape. As preferences evolve, NoLo beverages are on track to become a mainstream choice in social settings worldwide.

By Satoshi Ebitani

How could the rise of the non-alcoholic or low-alcohol movement change the way people approach social drinking? 

For more NoLo conversations, follow:

• Heaps Normal founder 🧠 Andy Miller (米乐)
• Naked Life Beverages ’ Carl Ryan
• Seadrift Distillery Jules Robinson

What major trends do you think we'll see in 2025? Share your thoughts in a post, comment or video using the hashtag #BigIdeas2025.

Compiled by Adrian Tay

Graphics by Kyle Ranson-Walsh

Community Manager: Alita Utari Dewi