In 2024, generative AI and a volatile economic climate defined the global business environment. In the year ahead, the value of human connection will come to the forefront, with AI becoming part of daily life and businesses reinventing how to reach customers in authentic ways – opening the door for new discoveries and economic opportunity.
Every December, LinkedIn News spotlights bold predictions, emerging trends and innovative ideas from our editors and experts around the world that are poised to shape the year ahead. This year’s 10 Big Ideas offer a glimpse into what may define Europe in 2025 and beyond.
What prediction or trend do you expect to have the biggest impact in the year ahead, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments or by posting a video with #BigIdeas2025.
Check out Beth Kutscher’s analysis of the Big Ideas of what we got right – and wrong – with some of last year’s Big Ideas predictions. And you can see our local Big Ideas for Australia, India, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the US.
Planning a holiday escape but not sure where to go? In 2025, VR and AR technologies will revolutionise tourism – helping you get a sneak peek of your next destination, enhancing your experience through interactive maps and personalised recommendations from remote assistants.
This immersive technology is transforming the travel industry, with virtual tourism expected to reach over $24bn (€22.7bn) by 2027, according to Statista. But technology doesn’t mean you have to forget real-world travel. Once at your destination, augmented reality (AR) can enhance your journey by providing real-time translations, up-to-the-minute traffic details and insights into historical monuments. For instance, the startup AI Tour has developed software using AR glasses to show detailed reconstructions of Pompeii’s buildings, interiors and artefacts superimposed on the ruins.
These evolutions will reshape how we discover and interact with the world, making travel more accessible, educational and captivating. “What will be revolutionary in the year ahead,” says Margherita Maria Mancini, a research analyst at the Travel Innovation Observatory of Polytechnic University of Milan, “is integrating AR features into maps and developing smart glasses. As VR and AR hardware like headsets and smart glasses become more common, their impact will be even more significant.”
The rapid development of supporting technologies, such as wearable devices like the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest, with features like voice commands, gesture controls and customizable settings will make these tools more user-friendly and accessible to a broader audience. Overall, these technologies will enhance travellers’ experiences, increase engagement, boost awareness and elevate overall satisfaction. — Alessandro Mariani
💡How could VR and AR change the way we explore and experience new destinations? Weigh in using the hashtag #BigIdeas2025
