Thought Leadership
The future of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry, supply chain automation, technologies for a more sustainable future and innovations that create safer, smarter and more efficient business spaces will be important topics in 2025.
Honeywell experts Lucian Boldea, CEO and President of Honeywell Industrial Automation, and Billal Hammoud, CEO and President of Honeywell Building Automation, name the most important topics that decision-makers should have on their agenda in 2025.
3 Trends in the field of industrial automation
Bridging the skills gap:
According to a recent study by McKinsey, up to 12 million jobs in Europe could require a career change by 2030. In the US, the skills gap in manufacturing is expected to lead to 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. AI and automation will be instrumental in addressing this labor shortage by improving decision making, problem response and individual productivity. We can expect to see the increased use of AI-powered ‘digital advisors’ who collaborate with technicians and users, providing real-time access to data, insights and step-by-step guidance to improve decision-making. This enables less experienced employees to perform better.
The future of industrial AI:
In 2025, there will continue to be an increase in AI solutions that are tailor-made for industrial use cases due to their complexity. In the energy sector – from production to refining and distribution – as in other industries, accurate, reliable and timely data is crucial, as even small errors can have serious consequences. Off-the-shelf AI solutions cannot solve the challenges of the industrial sector.
Innovations in energy storage:
Battery storage systems will become a cornerstone in stabilizing the electricity grids as solar and wind energy continue their rapid expansion. Over the next two years, solar energy generation is expected to increase by 75% and wind energy by 11%. This growth will accelerate the use of innovative energy storage solutions to make efficient use of renewable resources and ensure grid reliability.
3 Trends in building automation
Building energy efficiency:
In 2025, energy efficiency in buildings is expected to increase, driven by automation. New developments in building management systems will make it possible to monitor, manage and automate energy consumption down to the level of the individual socket, resulting in significantly greater transparency and control of energy consumption.
Reduction of CO2 emissions:
Many buildings are not exactly environmentally friendly, and the older the structure, the more problematic. In fact, the energy consumption of buildings and the associated processes are responsible for around 37% of global CO2 emissions – a fact that decision-makers will increasingly address through automation and AI in 2025.
Security becomes intelligent and scalable:
In 2025, security will become an integral part of every operation and will no longer be seen as a back-office function, but a key driver of trust and efficiency. Cloud migration will accelerate across industries, transforming the way building operators manage and protect their assets while reducing reliance on on-site infrastructure. Cell phones will play a central role in access control, providing seamless, secure access to everything from offices to warehouses. As these digital ecosystems grow, AI-driven cybersecurity solutions will be essential for detecting and responding to multiple threats in real time to protect both physical and digital spaces from new vulnerabilities.
(pd/Honeywell)
