At the recent Reuters NEXT conference in New York, leading executives and AI researchers shared their insights into the future of artificial intelligence, forecasting that autonomous agents and profitability will take center stage in 2025.
Autonomous agents, which are AI systems capable of performing tasks such as making purchases or scheduling meetings without direct human involvement, have long been a challenging goal for AI experts. However, advancements in step-by-step reasoning approaches—such as the ones seen in OpenAI’s o1 model—are expected to enable these capabilities in the near future.
“I think we are going to see a lot of motion next year around agents, and I think people are going to be surprised at how fast this technology comes at us,” said Sarah Friar, CFO of OpenAI. She further emphasized, “We think that’s just the beginning of what 2025 will be about: agents who are really there to help you with day-to-day tasks.”
In addition to the rise of autonomous agents, Friar also predicted that artificial general intelligence (AGI)—a milestone where AI systems surpass human capabilities in most economically valuable tasks—could be achieved in the coming years. When asked about the timeline, Friar stated, “I don’t believe it’s a decade away,” suggesting that AGI’s emergence might be sooner than many expect.
Venture capitalists also weighed in on the growing impact of AI in business. George Mathew, managing director at Insight Partners, noted that the reasoning capabilities developed over the past year are already revolutionizing various industries. He pointed to the example of Relevance AI, a company that has developed digital sales teams capable of replacing human workers at a fraction of the labor cost.
“With those kinds of productivity gains in mind, 2025 will likely be ‘the year of profitability for AI,’” said Molly Alter, a venture capitalist at Northzone. “Last year it was more focused on revenue growth, but this year, it’s going to be about improving margins,” she added.
Beyond startups, major corporations are increasingly incorporating AI into their operations. Robin Vince, CEO of BNY, shared how the bank has integrated large language models (LLMs) into its workflows. “We’re investing in and we have tools that create more leverage for our people, solutions for our clients, and insights and data that would have been almost impossible to derive through traditional means,” Vince explained.
With these rapid developments, it’s clear that 2025 will be a transformative year for AI, driven by advancements in autonomous agents and a focus on profitability. The convergence of these trends is poised to reshape industries and redefine how businesses leverage artificial intelligence.
FAQs
What are autonomous agents in AI?
Autonomous agents are AI systems designed to perform tasks such as making purchases, scheduling meetings, or other actions without direct human involvement. These agents can function independently, utilizing reasoning models to accomplish goals.
- How will autonomous agents impact businesses in 2025?
In 2025, autonomous agents are expected to help streamline daily tasks, improve efficiency, and reduce human labor costs. By automating complex processes, businesses can achieve higher productivity and profitability.
- What is the role of profitability in the future of AI?
Profitability will become a key focus for AI development in 2025, as businesses aim to improve margins rather than just pursue revenue growth. AI’s ability to enhance productivity and reduce costs will be central to achieving greater profitability.
- How does OpenAI’s o1 model contribute to autonomous agents?
OpenAI’s o1 model uses step-by-step reasoning approaches that enable AI systems to perform more complex tasks autonomously. This advancement is expected to play a crucial role in making autonomous agents more effective and widely adopted in the near future.
- When is artificial general intelligence (AGI) expected to be achieved?
Experts, including OpenAI’s Sarah Friar, predict that AGI, where AI systems surpass human capabilities in most economically valuable tasks, could be achieved in the next few years, rather than a decade away.
- How are large companies integrating AI into their operations?
Major corporations, like BNY, are incorporating AI tools such as large language models (LLMs) to automate tasks, generate insights, and improve client solutions, enhancing their overall operational efficiency.
- What will be the primary focus of AI in 2025?
In 2025, the primary focus will shift to autonomous agents and enhancing profitability. Businesses will prioritize the use of AI to optimize workflows, reduce costs, and improve their bottom line.
