Digital transformation in 2025: maturity levels and five technologies indispensable for generating tangible results

Digital transformation is often seen as the ultimate destination for technology use, but in reality this is an ongoing process for businesses. 

In 2025, this process should be considered even more strategically, because corporate success depends not only on the adoption of the technology, but on the maturity with which it is used (either starting to digitize processes or already exploring the resources of Artificial Intelligence).

According to the “AI Index 2025” report by HAI, Stanford, Brazil has been highlighted by the annual growth in hiring professionals specialized in Artificial Intelligence: (217%). Therefore, it is recognized as one of the leading countries in the training of graduates in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

In addition, the second edition of the Digital Transformation Index Brazil (ITDBr) showed that companies are advancing in this direction, with digital maturity rising from 3.3 in 2023 to 3.7 in 2024. However, the study pointed out that cultural and structural barriers still limit a more comprehensive evolution.

It is a scenario that reinforces the urgency to accelerate the process of technological innovation so that digital maturity levels are transformed into tangible competitive advantage. 

Understand your digital stage to act accurately

Digital maturity is a three-stage journey, and understanding each stage is critical to mapping appropriate technologies, directing investments, and setting priorities that will maximize business impact.

• Initial stage: with fragmented processes and low digitization, it is time to create a technological base, with basic automation and integration in the IT structure.
• Intermediate stage: with partial digitization and limited integration between areas, the focus should be on connecting systems with more efficient operational flows.
• Advanced stage: organizations use real-time data, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and automation, prioritizing continuous innovation and personalized experiences for customers.

Five essential technologies for 2025

This year, some technologies are emerging as pillars of competitiveness for companies at different levels of digital maturity.The five technologies in evidence for a strategy successfully executed are:

1. Artificial Intelligence: a study released by the Center for Management and Strategic Studies (CGEE) highlighted Brazil as one of the main centers of Artificial Intelligence in Latin America, with 144 research units working in sectors such as science, energy and agriculture. AI is fundamental to analyze large amounts of data, predict demands, customize service and automate critical activities.
2. 5G: in Brazil, there is a great potential for growth from 5G. An Opensignal report, with evaluation in 137 countries, showed that Brazil is the third place in average download speed in 5G. More than that: it was ahead of first-world countries such as the United States, Japan and Germany. 5G allows real-time decision making through Internet of Things (IoT) resources and connected experiences, improving performance in various sectors of the economy.
3. Cloud computing: migrating data to the cloud extends flexibility by adapting resources on demand and eliminating the need for high hardware investments and infrastructure maintenance. 
4. Intelligent automation: redefines processes by going beyond the execution of repetitive tasks, optimizing operational flows and allowing assertiveness according to the core business the company. 
5. Advanced cybersecurity: according to EY, 90% of identity breaches occur by human error, and to reverse these risks, companies must invest in cybersecurity training programs.

Digital asset protection ensures regulatory compliance in a scenario of growing cyber threats.The implementation of security policies is mandatory to ensure the integrity of the operation and business, avoiding financial and reputational damage.

These five technologies, when integrated with intelligence, not only optimize operations, but also drive differentiation of companies in their respective markets.

The use of technology requires objective criteria

For real results, each of these technologies must prioritize impact and strategic alignment. 

Therefore, adopting new technologies without planning involved is a mistake. It is essential to define how each technology is used, according to the criteria:

• Company port: large organizations demand robust and customized solutions, while smaller companies benefit from modular and agile tools such as Software as a Service (SaaS).
• Return on Investment (ROI) tangible: every investment in technology must deliver measurable value. Otherwise, value ceases to be investment and becomes “gasto”.
• Integration with existing systems: avoiding operational disruption during integration is essential to strengthening productivity.
• Scalability: solutions must keep pace with the growth of the company, without requiring constant reinvestment.

Regardless of the maturity stage, these criteria are the foundation for sustainable digital growth, benefiting companies with greater operational efficiency, data-driven decision making, and strengthening the innovation-driven organizational culture.

The proof of the importance of these benefits is in a McKinsey report, which concluded that companies with continuous investments in innovation, even in periods of uncertainty, tend to outperform their competitors. The differentials for this overcoming are the involvement of professionals and the correct use of infrastructure, intellectual property and customer relationships in identifying new market opportunities.

Technology and people: the indispensable combination of digital transformation

Finally, it is worth reinforcing: digital transformation is not just about tools. It is about people. It is the synergy between technology, processes and talents that generates results from these tools. 

By putting people at the center of digital strategy, companies become more resilient, adaptable and ready to act in a market that requires constant adaptations and reinventions.

In 2025, digital transformation remains an imperative. The question is: is your company just keeping up, or are you ready to lead?