Tech Career Decoded #16: 6 technology trends to watch out for in 2025

As 2024 draws to a close, the tech industry is poised for another year of rapid innovation and change. That’s why in this month's issue of Tech Career Decoded we're exploring the top technology trends that will shape recruitment and tech careers in 2025.

We've interviewed a panel of experts: Nicolas Dumoulin (Senior Managing Director, Southeast Asia) and Iñigo Fernández Alonso (Senior Executive Director, Europe), seasoned leaders at Michael Page responsible for driving our Technology practice globally, and Fabio Zapata (Executive Director Page Consulting IT, Latin America), a key figure in our LATAM tech business. We also spoke with entrepreneur and content creator Adriana Carvajal to bring you a comprehensive view of what to expect in the new year.

Read on to discover the most in-demand tech roles and skills, and the impact of new tech trends on recruitment.

2025 technology trends based on expert insights

From the continued rise of artificial intelligence to the increasing importance of soft skills, new technologies and digital trends are changing the way companies hire in 2025.

Here are the six key trends shaping the future of work in tech:

1. AI & machine learning specialists, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts will be some of the most in-demand tech roles 🚀

As companies increasingly adopt AI and machine learning, try to make the most of their data, and bolster security, these professionals will be essential to driving efficiencies and protecting critical infrastructure. So, if you're in one of these fields and seeking a new challenge or considering a career change, now is the time.

"Looking at regional trends, engineering roles remain in strong demand across different tiers of expertise. However, across all markets, we see increased demand for data specialists and cybersecurity professionals, with skilled professionals in these areas remaining scarce."

"2024 saw businesses trying to optimise their existing resources without making major new investments. There was a significant trend in roles focused on data management, as companies tried to do more with less. Many businesses focused on obtaining better market data, consumer insights, and trend analysis to make more informed decisions. I see this trend continuing, resulting in a surge in demand for roles such as data analysts, project managers, architects, and ERP specialists."

"By 2025, the top tech roles in demand are projected to be AI and Machine Learning Specialists, Data Scientists, and Cloud Computing Experts. The World Economic Forum anticipates a 40% increase in demand for AI and Machine Learning professionals, adding nearly one million jobs as advancements in automation and intelligent systems accelerate. Data science roles are also expected to grow significantly, with a 36% increase projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as organizations continue to lean on data-driven insights for decision-making."

2. Development roles will remain the most sought-after tech profile 🛠️

Development roles continue to reign supreme in the tech industry. While the frenetic hiring pace of the past few years has slightly cooled, the demand for skilled developers remains constant.

"Although demand may be a bit lower than last year, development remains the most sought-after profile, representing roughly 35-40% of the tech sector in Europe. We’ve seen peaks as high as 42% in the past, but now there’s a shift towards more measured development. Companies are more focused on maintaining the systems they’ve built rather than on rapid, large-scale new development projects."

"Development roles in general are always necessary—whether in agile methodologies or traditional waterfall approaches. These roles range from backend to frontend and technical leads, and they’ll remain a constant demand."

Fabio Zapata, Executive Director Page Consulting IT - Latin America

3. The rise of hybrid roles 🤹

As technology continues to advance and departments become more interconnected, a new type of job is emerging: the hybrid role. More and more tech companies are looking for individuals who possess a unique blend of skills and knowledge, allowing them to bridge the gap between different disciplines.

"Clients are no longer looking for someone who is hyper-specialised in one thing. Instead, they want people with broader expertise who can bring a more holistic perspective and make a bigger impact. However, this doesn’t mean that specialised roles in large organisations are disappearing. Technology is still an area where specialisation is essential—particularly in higher-level roles that focus on future trends. But hybrid roles are increasingly valued in areas that require broader perspectives. For smaller companies, hybrid roles are often a cost-saving measure since they can’t afford to hire specialists for every area. For example, when you combine data and cybersecurity roles, you get someone who can analyse data and simultaneously identify security gaps."

Fabio Zapata, Executive Director Page Consulting IT - Latin America

Looking to improve your employability and future-proof your career? Mastering more than one skill is a great way to position yourself for success in the evolving job market.

4. Tech companies will continue to hire for temporary positions 🤝 

While many tech giants implemented hiring freezes or even layoffs in 2024, there’s been an uptick in temporary positions. Whether driven by economic conditions or the need for specific expertise, hiring temporary positions offers businesses greater agility. It enables companies to bring in specialised skills for short-term projects and adjust their workforce dynamically to meet evolving demands.

"When companies adopt new technologies, implement new processes, or start new projects, they often need additional resources. In these cases, temporary or consulting roles are incredibly useful. Projects often require specialised skills for a set period—six months, a year, or even longer. The idea that ‘temp’ means short-term isn’t always true. Some temporary roles can be long-term, but they remain flexible because they’re tied to specific projects"

The demand for flexible and temporary roles is increasing everywhere. Some companies have opted for this approach, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty, as it can provide a degree of flexibility in workforce planning. Additionally, large companies often face restrictions on permanent headcount. If they can’t hire more full-time staff but still need to move forward with projects, temporary roles become the ideal solution. These roles don’t count towards headcount limits. There are so many variables driving the growth of flexible staffing. It’s becoming a significant area of investment."

Fabio Zapata, Executive Director Page Consulting IT - Latin America

"We’re seeing a notable shift in developing markets toward contract-based roles, moving away from the traditional preference for permanent positions. While contract work was historically viewed with hesitation in developing countries due to perceived job insecurity, international companies’ shared service centres are helping change this perception. They’re starting to introduce this approach to flexible employment, where contract work is widely accepted and often preferred. This cultural transformation is gradually influencing both candidates’ and employers’ mindsets in these markets."

Nicolas Dumoulin , Senior Managing Director - Southeast Asia

This growing demand for flexible, skilled talent presents a golden opportunity for self-employed tech professionals and those seeking flexible work arrangements in 2025.

5. Soft skills set candidates apart in the competitive tech job market 💡

Today's tech experts are increasingly expected to possess a diverse skill set that blends technical proficiency with strategic acumen. As technology becomes an integral part of every business function, the demand for individuals who can bridge the gap between technical expertise and business understanding is soaring.

“Technology has gone from being a support function to a strategic part of the business. Today, no company can survive without technology as a core strategy. This shift has transformed the roles of tech professionals. They now need business competencies like communication, strategy, leadership, decision-making, and market analysis. They must understand the business thoroughly to translate its needs into tangible technological solutions. 

Soft skills are becoming increasingly important. For example, agile methodologies are built around communication. Daily stand-ups, retrospectives, and other meetings require strong communication skills. Tech professionals can no longer work in isolation—they need to collaborate and share ideas.” 

Fabio Zapata, Executive Director Page Consulting IT - Latin America

"The profile of a tech professional has evolved significantly. Previously, companies primarily valued technical strength, but now they also look for strategic and business understanding. Companies want tech professionals who are technically competent but also have the ability to grasp the business side of things. This includes understanding the strategic objectives and seeing how technology can drive value for the business. 

Another key area is teamwork and interdepartmental collaboration. In the past, tech teams would work very closely within their own groups, but now there’s an expectation that they also collaborate effectively with departments like marketing, sales, and finance. It’s about understanding the needs of these departments and contributing solutions that align with broader business goals.” 

Iñigo Fernández Alonso , Senior Executive Director - Europe

6. AI-proficiency could revolutionise the talent landscape ֎

Is 2025 the year where we finally see AI-prompting and editing a permanent fixture on tech job vacancies? With more companies looking to AI to streamline workflows and accelerate production processes (whether that’s design or development), being AI-proficient could be a key competitive advantage in the job market.

"While I don’t see roles disappearing overnight, I do see certain fields needing to adapt quickly to AI or risk being overtaken by it. The creative industry, in particular, has met AI with a lot of resistance, and understandably so. AI often prioritises speed (output > process), whereas creatives take pride in the process itself, not just the end result. For them, the journey is truly at the heart of their work’s value (process > output). But even with AI’s capabilities, creatives remain the true experts in their field. AI can support and enhance their work, but it doesn’t replace their vision, originality, or intuition. Many creatives will face the choice of whether to harness AI’s potential to elevate their work or risk falling behind."

Adriana Carvajal , Entrepreneur and Content Creator

The trends we've explored in this issue highlight the increasing demand for specialised profiles, the rise of hybrid roles, and the continuing importance of soft skills. Additionally, the integration of AI and machine learning is reshaping the way we work and recruit. 

What are your thoughts on these trends? Are you already seeing any of these changes in your organisation? What other technologies or skills do you think will be crucial in 2025? Share your insights and predictions in the comments.

👀 Curious about the biggest technology trends for 2025? Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest tech insights.

As 2024 winds down, we want to thank you for being a part of our community. We hope you have a fantastic holiday season and a happy New Year! ✨

Thanks for reading!

The Michael Page Technology team