The beginning of 2025 marks the first quarter of the 21st century, a period that has seen the consolidation of social networks and artificial intelligence, cultural changes and changes in the way of working, or new global orders. All of this will continue to define the coming months, as stated LinkedIn in its usual trend report, prepared from the contributions of experts and specialists in different areas.

The company has highlighted up to 25 trends that will define this year that has just begun and, in general terms, a panorama is drawn in which the practical applications of artificial intelligence, as well as geopolitical and economic transformations, and also social evolution will shape our relationship with both work and with life.

Next, from reason.Why we highlight some of the trends collected by the professional social network:

AI and a shorter work week

The consolidation of artificial intelligence and its integration into the work environment is already giving rise to a revolution in productivity, so much so that it could completely transform the traditional five-day work week. The implementation of digital assistants that help with everyday tasks could pave the way for four day work weekan issue that has been at the center of corporate debate in recent years.

Experts consider that AI tools, which facilitate issues such as writing emails, summaries of reports or prioritizing tasks, could pose problems in the future. digital twins at work. In this way, assistants could become so personalized that employees could count on their digital alter ego, trained on their work history and knowledge, to be able to focus on creative and strategic tasks.

Millennial CEOs and new leadership

2025 and the coming years will be key for a generational change in corporate leadership. Millennials are about to surpass Generation X in the executive ranks, consolidating a new way of leading based on recent technological, social and cultural changes.

The new generation of CEOs It will also stand out for leaving behind the figure of the founding CEO, since the vast majority will be profiles hired to lead the organizations, but who have not been involved in their training.
They will also be figures with a different perception of what it means to work and what people look for at work, and they will prioritize issues such as communication and well-being.

Corporate influencers

In a context in which each individual can become a content creator, a new wave of corporate influencersThat is, the employees themselves will be the ones who, both organically and inorganically, will transfer the day-to-day life and the virtues or defects of the organizations in which they work.

The objective of the companies is to satisfy the demand for connection and authenticity of the new generations of users, and to join the trends of social conversation by conveying their vision and values ​​with a close touch. This will also boost the recruitment of talent and develop the employer brand of companies.

Seniors, also in internships

One of the phenomena that can be observed in the coming years is the presence of senior profiles in companies. This responds to several issues, including the delay in the retirement age or economic instability, which will lead many professionals to prolong their working lives.

This, in turn, will lead to a change in the age and qualification requirements in companies for internships, and these will become more accessible to generations such as baby boomers or retirees. Some international companies have already instituted special programs to reach these groups.

Supermarkets will test edible packaging

The growing concern about sustainability and the impact on the environment has led to the elimination of single-use plastics in packaging, and could lead to the arrival of single-use plastics on the market soon. edible packaging. This option could be consolidated thanks to awareness, dissemination and marketing campaigns that encourage the adoption of new consumer habits.

One of the materials that stands out in this field are the algae, mainly due to its abundance, its biodegradable nature and its ability to protect food. However, packaging is also innovating to reduce its impact by opting for intelligent solutions that facilitate the management of the useful life of products.

Streaming will seek profit and alliances

This year will continue to define the streaming landscape. The growing fragmentation of the scene has led the large owners of the platforms to seek profitability by raising prices, betting on advertising and bundling services. However, the user is increasingly frustrated with the rates, the accumulation of subscriptions or the experience.

This is why the presence of packages, That is, a priori rival companies that will come together to offer their catalogs in a unified manner. In Spain, for example, this is the case of Movistar+ Plus with Netflix or Apple TV+.

The social media landscape will continue to fragment

The appearance of new digital platforms and the transformation of traditional social networks have marked the last few years, and will continue to be the pattern for the coming times. The growth of TikTok, the consolidation of Threads and alternatives to X such as Bluesky or Mastodon will be fundamental aspects in the field of communication.

This will give rise to a playing field in which the social conversation will no longer be concentrated in a single point, as could happen until just a few months ago with diversity of online communities. All of this will also be influenced by growing regulation and measures to limit issues such as content moderation or misinformation.

Virtual and augmented reality for tourism

As experts have pointed out to LinkedIn, 2025 will be the year in which virtual and augmented reality will revolutionize tourism. Different immersive solutions will allow users to take a look at their next destinations and improve their experience through interactive maps and personalized recommendations from remote assistants.

The tools will not only assist in planning, but also in the actual experience with augmented reality helping to provide real-time directions or translations, up-to-date traffic details, or insights and information about historical monuments and sites of interest.
All of this will change the way we discover and interact with the world, making travel more accessible, educational and engaging.

Investment in productivity

In recent years, global economic policies have been concerned with dealing with the pandemic and its consequences, navigating global conflicts and geopolitical tensions, combating inflation and avoiding a global recession. The global economy has persevered but has been left with a worrying legacy of low growth and high debt.

The objective from now on will be to focus on growth and for this the companies They will invest in their workforce and their productivity. The focus will be on reducing barriers to competition and bureaucracy and advancing digitalization, all with a view to boosting productivity, improving skills and reaping the benefits of the sustainable and digital transitions.

The power of office meals

With the workforce of large companies returning to the office after teleworking derived from the pandemic, meals in the office They will stand out as a point to attract workers and rekindle feelings of community and belonging. Some research also suggests that team meals are linked to better results, performance and retention.

There are many companies that think of moments like food less as a mechanism to promote presence and more as a way of crear culture inside the office. Coffee breaks or breakfast time are also situations that will be promoted to strengthen the corporate culture.

More inclusive environments thanks to AI

Artificial intelligence will also facilitate more inclusive work environments. By allowing task management through voice commands or screen reading through sound, More and more people with disabilities will be able to enter the labor market. In addition, technology will also allow recruitment to be more inclusive and offer employees learning opportunities and processes tailored to their specific needs.

The tangible impact of AI

After a 2024 marked by the expectation of artificial intelligence, companies will look for the practical applications. The question is no longer whether to use AI, but how to leverage it to deliver meaningful, measurable results. Business leaders need to be aware that AI transformation may emerge in unexpected areas, so they should reflect and focus on exploring the technology’s potential.

This also involves establishing clear objectives around what you are trying to achieve with AI, whether it is rapid access to critical information, faster decision making, greater productivity or operational efficiency.

Brands and “nowstalgia”

Nostalgia has reached a fever pitch in recent years. However, over the last few years it has been observed how brands have revisited this nostalgia, adapting the classics and reinventing them, giving rise to the so-called “nowstalgia” to attract new audiences. This represents an opportunity to renew timeless classic products and services.