Each week, the Tomorrowist team publishes a video podcast and a deep-dive article on a single important trend facing businesses. But business leaders need a holistic view of the changing business landscape. Here are a few stories from around the web focused on other Tomorrowist-worthy trends that readers shouldn’t miss.
Businesses Preparing for Another Year of Geopolitical Tumult (The Wall Street Journal)
What to Know: Geopolitical instability is a top business concern in 2025. According to a McKinsey and Co. survey, 62% of executives said it’s one of the leading risks they face this year, while 49% pointed to trade policy changes. For comparison, just 18% said the same about inflation.
Why It Matters: Businesses need to be prepared for shifts in the world order over the next year, as new leaders come to power and old tensions flare up. Leaders need to understand how potential conflicts and uprisings could impact supply chains, the marketplace for their goods, and possibly even their workforce.
The Impact of Low-Code/No-Code Architectures on Digital Transformation (Forbes)
What to Know: The market for software development tools that require little to no understanding of coding is expanding rapidly, potentially reaching $94.75 billion by 2028. These tools can allow employees without special technical knowledge to design advanced solutions to complex business problems.
Why It Matters: These tools have the potential to streamline digital transformation efforts and allow technical solutions to come from anywhere in a company. That could change the role of IT departments, as software development becomes easier; however, governance standards would become more critical than ever.
Bird Flu Causing Egg Prices to Soar to New Record High (Axios)
What to Know: Over 20 million chickens died of H5N1 bird flu in Q4 2024, contributing to record egg prices, including $8.97 a dozen in California. Some retailers are limiting consumer egg purchases to alleviate shortages coming out of the holiday baking season.
Why It Matters: The price of eggs isn’t just a food service concern. Higher food prices can lead to lower consumer confidence, which can have broad market impacts. At the same time, it’s worth noting that while reported human cases of bird flu remain rare, the disease continues to circulate, and business leaders will want to keep a careful eye on it.
Me, My Future, and I (The Atlantic)
What to Know: MIT has developed an AI program that allows users to chat with a simulated 80-year-old version of themselves. The project raises questions about identity and how people think about their future but also highlights some persistent challenges with artificial intelligence.
Why It Matters: Business leaders are going to hear a lot about AI agents in 2025, and it can be hard to separate hype from reality. Chatting with an AI agent that’s supposed to deeply understand the users’ motivations can be a reminder of these tools’ limitations and the need to maintain human supervision.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
Related Content
HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.
Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.