Forrester names AI, agentic systems & robotics top for 2025

Forrester has identified the top 10 emerging technologies for 2025, highlighting that artificial intelligence is shifting from experimentation to a fundamental business requirement.

The research reveals that AI is progressing from generative models to agentic AI, systems capable of independent decision-making, and underlines the increasing relevance of synthetic data and humanoid robots.

According to Forrester's latest report, Asian Pacific enterprises are largely aligned with global technology trends but are also shaped by unique regional conditions, including data sovereignty laws, significant government involvement, and a preference for longer-term returns on investment.

Frederic Giron, Vice President and Senior Research Director at Forrester, commented, "Asia Pacific enterprises broadly align with global emerging tech trends but distinct regional preferences are shaping how these technologies are adopted. Enterprises are prioritizing localized AI models to navigate linguistic and regulatory diversity, leveraging hybrid cloud and edge architectures for data sovereignty, and adopting synthetic data as a privacy-native AI enabler. There is strong government orchestration, particularly in mature markets, which is helping drive AI adoption in the region. Additionally, enterprises tend to have longer ROI horizons compared to North America, reflecting strategic patience over quick wins."

He added, "GenAI for language is gaining traction in customer service, compliance, and multilingual support, while GenAI for visual content is advancing marketing, design, and manufacturing. The rise of IoT security is being accelerated by government-led cybersecurity initiatives, as enterprises embed AI into threat detection strategies. Meanwhile, agentic AI is emerging in early applications such as IT operations and financial automation, and humanoid robotics is drawing pragmatic interest in eldercare, hospitality, and public services, though still in its experimental phases."

Principal Analyst Leslie Joseph provided further insight into adoption patterns across Asia Pacific, noting, "Financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing are leading adoption of agentic AI and synthetic data in APAC. Demand is driven by a mix of regulatory compliance, productivity gains, and innovation mandates. In Singapore, for example, banks use agents for compliance and automation; healthcare players use synthetic data to sidestep privacy constraints; and manufacturers deploy agents for predictive operations and digital twins."

Joseph continued, "Regional firms balance near-term ROI and long-term innovation through public-private R&D programs and regulatory sandboxes. Regional leaders face fragmented digital maturity, but national AI agendas and talent constraints are pushing enterprises to explore (and in some cases, begin the push for adoption of) agentic systems for strategic differentiation. Government-backed initiatives like AI Verify provide safe experimentation zones, while rising regional competition is accelerating enterprise willingness to modernize."

The Forrester research categorises the top emerging technologies by projected benefits over short-term, mid-term, and long-term horizons to help enterprises and business leaders focus their investments.

Short-term technologies expected to provide substantial advantages within two years include IoT security and synthetic data. IoT security has become particularly important as cyber threats increase, with businesses possessing high levels of technology integration expected to benefit most. Synthetic data is highlighted for its role in improving AI model training and enhancing trust and privacy, especially pertinent to industries such as financial services, insurance, healthcare, and the public sector. Regulatory authorities are reported to encourage the use of synthetic data to help reduce risk.

In the mid-term, over two to five years, agentic AI and generative AI for visual content are expected to bring significant productivity and personalisation gains. Agentic AI, while still requiring improvements in accuracy and coordination, offers the potential for systems that can autonomously drive business process automation. Generative AI for visual content is anticipated to transform the production of photorealistic images, videos, and graphics, with the most impact likely in marketing, advertising, retail, and e-commerce.

For the longer term, expected to take at least five years to deliver enterprise value, humanoid robots make their first appearance on the emerging technologies list. Forrester's report states that advances in generative AI and decreasing component costs are making such robots more feasible. However, challenges around research and development expenses and integration complexities remain significant barriers to widespread adoption.

Sharyn Leaver, Chief Research Officer at Forrester, stated, "As AI becomes ubiquitous, business and technology leaders should prioritize investments that will deliver the greatest impact for their organizations in terms of driving business growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. Despite global uncertainty, AI's rapid acceleration will continue. Enterprises that strategically balance AI innovation with risk mitigation will be ones that successfully thrive and achieve sustainable growth."

The report concludes that as the technological landscape continues to evolve, enterprises are increasingly required to adopt AI advancements rapidly, with strategic investment decisions becoming central to navigating continued geopolitical volatility and achieving long-term growth.