Pure Signal: Four technology shifts that matter right now

The technology landscape never stops evolving, but knowing which changes truly matter makes all the difference. In the inaugural episode of our newly rebranded podcast, Pure Signal (formerly Tech Tangents), we cut through the noise to focus on what actually moves the needle.

Global Chief Data Scientist Vincent Yates, Chief Technology Officer Jason Goth, and North America CEO Kevin Erickson unpack four significant shifts reshaping enterprise technology in 2025—and how you can transform potential disruption into strategic advantage.

Listen to the full episode for deeper insights on navigating these critical technology shifts. Like and follow Pure Signal on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

1. Crypto consolidation: Behind the headlines

The numbers tell an interesting story: 88 crypto deals worth $8.2 billion in just the first four months of 2025—triple last year's activity. Yet despite this flurry of consolidation across Bitcoin treasury acquisitions, traditional finance/DeFi mergers, and exchange consolidations, the core technology itself hasn't fundamentally changed. Most acquisitions are "bolt-ons" rather than deep integrations.

There's an innovation gap with crypto compared with fields like AI. What we're seeing is primarily two years of pent-up demand released as companies position themselves strategically—even without complete regulatory clarity.

What this means for you: Take an industry-specific approach. If you're in financial services, deeper engagement makes sense. For others, consider Bitcoin as practical "insurance" for scenarios where traditional payment systems might fail. The key is matching your crypto strategy to your actual business needs—not following market hype.

2. Navigating policy uncertainty: Making decisions that hold up

With approximately $4.5 trillion in tax changes and tariffs creating significant strategic uncertainty, many organizations feel stuck in wait-and-see mode. Between Jobs Act expiration, bonus depreciation changes, and R&D expensing modifications, multi-year planning has become increasingly complex.

The only certainty is continued change. The cost of doing nothing while waiting for perfect clarity is often greater than making thoughtful decisions with the information at hand.

What works now:

• Keep your focus on fundamentals—the quality of your core products and services still matters most.

• Use uncertain periods to strengthen your essential capabilities and infrastructure.

• Remember that maintaining the status quo often means falling behind competitors who are moving forward.

Listen to the full Pure Signal episode to learn why adaptability, foundational tech, and clear strategic vision are more essential than ever.

3. The AI platform divide: Finding your path forward

We're seeing a clear split in AI implementation approaches that will shape enterprise technology for years to come. OpenAI is building depth with a comprehensive, standalone platform, while Google deploys Gemini 2.5 broadly across its existing ecosystem.

This mirrors classic technology divisions we've seen before: the vertical integration approach (think Microsoft/Apple) versus open ecosystems (Android/open source). Both strategies have proven viable, but most organizations tend to align with their existing technology philosophy.

As AI capabilities consolidate around major cloud providers, the distinction between enterprise and consumer AI solutions is becoming increasingly important, with business systems requiring more robust security and monitoring than consumer applications.

4. Power realities: The overlooked challenge in AI adoption

While most discussions about AI focus on capabilities and use cases, there's a practical constraint that deserves more attention: energy infrastructure. AI power demands are projected to increase 30-40% in the next few years and potentially double by 2030. Yet only 28% of planned renewable energy projects are coming online as scheduled.

For organizations already in the cloud, this primarily becomes the provider's challenge to solve (with Microsoft reportedly exploring nuclear reactors for data centers). However, power availability may increasingly influence where you locate critical operations and how you structure your technology footprint.

The bottom line

The teams that successfully navigate these shifts won't just be reacting—they'll be strategically positioning themselves for what comes next. Organizations that lack a thoughtful approach to AI governance are likely to face significant breaches by 2026, creating both risk and opportunity.

Three practical approaches can help you stay ahead:

1. Shift from reaction to proactive positioning: Use this period of change as a strategic thinking opportunity rather than merely responding to external pressures.

2. Double down on your foundations: Continue strengthening your organization's ability to innovate, scale quickly, and leverage data effectively.

3. Find your differentiation advantage: This period of disruption creates space for organizations willing to make bold, informed moves while others hesitate.

The path forward isn't about predicting exactly which technologies will dominate, but building an organization with the agility, infrastructure, and strategic clarity to adapt to whatever emerges. As the saying goes: "When's the best time to plant a tree? Twenty years ago.” When's the second-best time? Today.

• AI
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cyber Security
• Digital Transformation
• AI Strategy
• Cloud Data
• Data Strategy