Three forces that will shape 2025

Three forces that will shape 2025

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It seems appropriate that 2025 has been designated the year of quantum science and technology by the United Nations. Because like Schrödinger’s cat, which (in a quantum thought-experiment) was both alive and dead at the same time inside a closed box, 2025 has long hovered in a superposition of two very different states, defined by the outcome of America’s election. Now that the ballot boxes have been opened, the world knows which 2025 to expect: the one in which Donald Trump returns to the White House. 

With that uncertainty resolved, here are the themes to watch in the coming year, spanning politics, economics, business, technology, demographics and travel. And don’t miss our selection of “wild cards”—things that sound implausible, but could happen in 2025, from a devastating solar storm to the discovery of lost ancient texts and even another global pandemic. To navigate the future, it can help to anticipate the unlikely.

We hope you will find The World Ahead 2025 a useful guide to the coming year, whatever surprises await.

Tom Standage, Editor, The World Ahead 2025

The three forces that will shape 2025

Watch the interplay between Donald Trump, technology and radical uncertainty


Where Donald Trump will be constrained—and where he will not

The MAGA scale of policy plausibility provides a handy five-part guide


The gap between global threats and American power will grow in 2025

The deterrence deficit will become starkly visible in the coming year


America and China’s trade war will rock the world

Countries that had previously managed to sit out the spat will be dragged into it


Have global emissions peaked?

It all depends on the latest figures from China, the world’s largest emitter


America’s economy enters 2025 in great shape

Politics will not spoil it—but Donald Trump’s agenda presents some serious risks


World leaders are getting older—except in democracies

Countries are ageing with them


Will the bubble burst for AI in 2025, or will it start to deliver?

It is the biggest gamble in business history—but adoption of AI is proving patchy


The skies are getting smaller—and more dangerous

Global connectivity is suffering as air transport faces new constraints


Ten implausible-sounding scenarios for 2025

To navigate the future, it can help to anticipate the unlikely

Thamsanqa Somtseu

Director of Corporate Services at Koukamma Local Municipality

1mo

Whilst Donald embarks on making America great again , the other leaders in this world must focus on making the world great, by unlocking the potentilal for even multi lateral development, narrowing the economic development gaps amonngst nations for eventually eliminating unemployment and poverty in countries, especially in the global south countries.

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The US enters 2025 in great shape thanks to Democrat's/President Joe Biden pragmatism, now watch the village idiot rock the boat

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Ruby Kaniu

Director of Operations

1mo

Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, changing the way we live and work. Whether it is a smart assistant or an automated system, AI is creating endless possibilities! The future is here, let's explore it together! 🤖💡 #人工智能 #科技创新 #未来已来

Anne Blackman

Global Marketing Communications Director | Thought Leadership | Campaigns | Brand | Content | Reputation | McKinsey & Company | Freshfields | Linklaters

1mo
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