The end of 2024 is in sight, and therefore, we are looking ahead to the tech trends of 2025. In this post, we take you through the developments within the Dutch IT landscape. We also dive deeper into topics such as staff shortages, multifunctional robots, AI, and sustainability.
According to ING, the Dutch IT services sector will continue to grow in 2025. Although 2024 was a moderate year, the industry now receives a significant boost. This is primarily due to the increasing demand for AI, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, investments in technology have risen again, and companies are now reaping the benefits. Additionally, mergers and acquisitions are returning to the levels seen in 2020. Thanks to strong profit figures and rapid digitalization, investors remain enthusiastic.
However, not all tech trends are positive. Many companies see the staff shortage as their biggest challenge. No less than 44% of entrepreneurs cite this as the main obstacle. Due to the ongoing staff shortage, the workload for IT professionals remains consistently high. The shortage of software developers, application builders, and network specialists is estimated at around 20,000 FTEs. Additionally, the workload seems to be exacerbated by unrealistic planning. A greater sense of autonomy could help reduce the workload.
A notable aspect of the staff shortage is the decreasing number of working hours in the technology, media, and telecom (TMT) sector. Although this may seem contradictory, it can be explained by slower growth. Another striking development is the 8% increase in labor costs within the TMT sector. This can be attributed to the growing role that salary plays in job satisfaction. Despite this increased importance, the AG Connect Salary Survey shows that atmosphere and collegiality remain the most important factors for IT professionals.
Regardless of all this, confidence in the sector remains strong. 85% of entrepreneurs expect their profitability to increase or remain stable, and 89% believe they will maintain or even increase their investments.
Furthermore, we are seeing the rise of multifunctional robots. To address the staff shortage, more and more companies are using smart machines that can perform multiple tasks. For example, this is becoming increasingly popular in logistics and manufacturing due to rising labor costs. Although robots do not fully solve the shortage, they do help companies save costs. Gartner even predicts that by 2030, 80% of people will interact with smart robots daily, compared to less than 10% today.
In 2025 AI will continue to grow and reach a new phase of maturity. Machine learning and AI contribute significantly to our efficiency as they become more advanced. AI has, for example, changed the way software is developed. With next-gen tools, such as AI-powered code generators and low-code/no-code platforms, the development process is accelerated, and productivity is increased. Even people without a technical background can contribute to software development. As a result, the use of these tools will only increase in the future.
In addition, Agentic AI will gain popularity in 2025 as well. This smart software makes independent decisions and takes actions to achieve goals. This technology combines memory, planning, and environmental awareness with strict safety guidelines. Agentic AI also helps organizations become more productive.
Digitalization is requiring more and more energy, making sustainability a priority. Sustainability is now high on the agenda of executives, as IT makes a significant contribution to environmental impact. Particularly energy-intensive technologies like AI are increasing energy consumption.
