In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, businesses in Asia must navigate a maze of potential advancements while being wary of trends that may not deliver on their promises. ABI Research’s whitepaper, “101 Tech Trends That Will and Won’t Shape 2025,” sheds light on innovations that are unlikely to make a significant impact in the coming years, helping companies avoid costly missteps.
One notable trend that is expected to falter is the ambition of semiconductor onshoring in the United States and Europe, which has implications for Asia's manufacturing sector.
Despite the fervent push for local chip production driven by political motivations, practical challenges have emerged. The activation of the U.S. CHIPS Act has faced delays, complicating timelines for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. As Asian countries like Taiwan and South Korea continue to dominate the semiconductor landscape, the anticipated onshoring in Western markets may leave Asian players unchallenged, allowing them to maintain their competitive edge.
Moreover, as the demand for Arm-based PCs grows, ABI Research predicts that these devices will only represent a minority segment of the market by 2025. Asian tech giants like Huawei and Xiaomi have made strides in integrating Arm technology into their devices.
However, the dominance of x86 architecture from Intel and AMD is expected to persist, particularly in enterprise settings where software compatibility remains a priority. The limited adoption of Arm-based PCs in Asia may hinder innovation in this space, stifling the potential for a broader market disruption.
It should be noted that a major factor in any new hardware technology adoption is software. In the case of personal computing devices, including tablets and PCs, the availability of popular software tools will determine the speed of adoption. Apple experienced this when it transitioned from PowerPC (1990s) to Intel (mid-2000s) to Arm-based (starting in 2010) processors. The early days of transition from Intel-based computers to its proprietary Arm-based PCs saw Apple experience sof
Another trend that is unlikely to take off is the widespread deployment of AI-RAN (Artificial Intelligence Radio Access Network). While advancements have been made in AI technology for telecommunications, the reality remains that full commercial deployments won't occur until at least 2026.
Countries in Asia like Japan and South Korea, which have historically been early adopters of new technologies, are expected to take a cautious approach, focusing instead on trials and pilot projects rather than immediate large-scale implementations.
Additionally, the semiconductor sector will face challenges as the aspirations for green antennas struggle to materialise. Despite the push for sustainability, the transition to green antenna technology, which promises energy efficiency and cost reduction, may not be as swift as anticipated. Asian telecom operators, while eager to adopt sustainable solutions, may find the practicalities of implementation more complex than expected, leading to a slower adoption rate.
As businesses in Asia prepare for 2025, understanding these trends that won’t shape the future is crucial. By focusing on practical, proven technologies rather than chasing fleeting innovations, companies can better position themselves to thrive in a competitive landscape. The insights from ABI Research serve as a reminder that while the promise of technology is vast, not all trends will hold their ground as the market evolves.
