The global technological landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, bringing extraordinary opportunities and complex challenges by 2025. To not be left behind, many organizations worldwide have on their radar the importance of smart insights, diversity of testing, and the ability to adapt quickly.
To assist managers in this process, CESAR, the most comprehensive innovation and knowledge center in Brazil, highlights seven key trends that will shape the corporate ecosystem and the digital environment and, consequently, our future.
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#1 Agentic AI: The rise of autonomous digital workers
The next evolution of AI is fundamentally different from what we have seen before. The Agentic AI trend represents a significant leap beyond traditional chatbots and automated systems, bringing autonomous decision-making capabilities that promise to reshape how organizations operate.
While conventional AI tools follow predefined scripts, Agentic AI systems can learn, reason, and act independently of defined parameters. By 2028, Gartner predicts that 15% of daily work decisions will be autonomously made by these systems.
Tasks that once required days of manual processing can now be completed in seconds, from complex customer account management to business operations. As this technology matures, we are seeing the emergence of new roles like AI trainers and workflow orchestrators.
Furthermore, the workplace of the future is likely to be a hybrid environment where humans evolve from task performers to strategic orchestrators, managing teams of specialized AI agents. The CESAR Generative AI Laboratory (GenIAL) itself exemplifies this evolution. Established in 2023, GenIAL focuses on designing AI-driven business models with the aim of building a robust model training infrastructure and offering targeted educational programs.
#2 Ambient Intelligence: The Invisible Technological Revolution
The next wave of technological transformation is not just smart – it’s invisible and omnipresent. As we move towards 2025, Ambient Intelligence or ‘Environmental Intelligence’ is weaving into the fabric of our cities and industries, with Brazil emerging as a major innovation hub.
An initiative called Yes!Recife exemplifies how this trend can address urban challenges, using Design Thinking and collaborative workshops to tackle issues ranging from healthcare efficiency to real-time road maintenance.
The future lies in what a Brazilian investor calls the ‘AIoT First’ approach – the powerful fusion of AI with the Internet of Things. This convergence is creating intelligent environments that transparently respond to human needs, from optimizing industrial operations to enhancing urban services, while prioritizing sustainability and quality of life.
#3 Quantum Computing: Exploring the Future of High-Performance Technology
Quantum computing represents an imminent revolution in computational capabilities, promising to surpass the limits of traditional technologies with its ability to process information on an unimaginable scale and speed. This emerging technology has the potential to solve complex problems that are insurmountable for classical supercomputers, such as molecular simulations for drug discovery, optimization of global logistic systems, and advanced financial analysis for risk mitigation.
As quantum computing advances, it opens doors to the creation of quantum algorithms that can transform cryptography, artificial intelligence, and big data analysis, with significant impacts on virtually all industrial and research sectors. Academic institutions, technology companies, and governments worldwide are already investing billions to develop infrastructures that support this next generation of computing.
#4 Critical Infrastructure: The New Frontline of Cybersecurity
Critical infrastructure systems are facing unprecedented threats. Recent data shows that cyberattacks against these systems have increased by 30% in just one year, with the energy, transportation, and telecommunications sectors emerging as primary targets. As these systems become more digitally interconnected, their vulnerability to cyber threats grows exponentially.
The Integrated Center for Security in Advanced Systems (CISSA), an Embrapii Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity, an initiative of Embrapii, operated by CESAR, is leading the evolution of cybersecurity in Brazil. CISSA represents an innovative operational model focused on four main fronts: identity and access management, data protection and privacy, intelligence against cyber threats, and legal, ethical, and behavioral aspects.
This initiative comes at a critical time, as Brazil’s dependence on foreign technological platforms has created significant security vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. The risk extends beyond individual systems. Recent disruptions have highlighted how dependence on solutions from major international technology companies can compromise national security and operational resilience.
#5 Building human-centered security
The evolution of cybersecurity should focus on its most critical – and vulnerable – component: humans. With 88% of data breaches attributed to human errors, organizations are recognizing that technology alone is not enough. The challenge is particularly prevalent among age groups, with younger employees about five times more likely to report security errors. Interestingly, time and experience prove to be valuable in cybersecurity.
While 32% of employees between 31-40 years old clicked on phishing links, only eight percent of those over 51 years old reported falling for these scams. This suggests that life experience and strong professional networks help in detecting suspicious activities.
The path forward requires a multifaceted approach that includes integrating security into daily workflows, replacing traditional training with interactive learning experiences, and involving employees in the development of security policies. By treating security as a collaborative effort, organizations can build stronger defenses that leverage both human insight and innovation.
#6 Defense against disinformation: A new security frontier
Disinformation is escalating in Latin America, with sophisticated “digital mercenaries” operating across the political spectrum to spread false narratives. These actors are becoming increasingly adept at circumventing security measures on social media platforms, creating a complex challenge that demands innovative solutions.
A collaborative investigation by media organizations from 14 Latin American countries exposed the scale of this threat, according to Foreign Policy. The research, coordinated by the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP), reveals how disinformation networks have successfully evaded both platform controls and government oversight.
For example, the Brazilian Electoral Court demonstrated how swift action can be effective, successfully countering false allegations of electoral fraud within 24 hours of their appearance.
#7 Corporate security: The Financial Sector in Brazil under threat
The success story of fintechs in Brazil has created an unexpected challenge: unprecedented levels of financial cybercrime. With Pix processing over three billion transactions monthly – five times more than traditional card payments – the country’s digital financial infrastructure has become an attractive target for sophisticated attacks.
The statistics tell a compelling story: 44% of Brazilians maintain digital-only accounts, making the market particularly vulnerable to browser-based threats. This vulnerability is driving strategic responses across the sector.
The $350 million acquisition of ClearSale by Experian in October 2024 signals a shift towards integrated fraud prevention solutions that combine transaction monitoring with account security.
