Top themes for 2025: quantum, AGI, AI vs the environment, and experience-led composability
2025 has started with a bang. Amid the barrage of news and announcements, I am highlighting a few themes that I believe will shape the year ahead.

My advice is to get clued up on the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing
Number one on my list is quantum computing. I have discussed quantum computing before, and the outlook for quantum in 2025 is highly optimistic, with advancements announced almost daily.
As the groundswell continues, quantum computing is poised to revolutionise the finance industry by tackling problems currently intractable for classical computers. Its promise of performing complex calculations and analysing vast datasets at unprecedented speeds could revolutionise risk management, portfolio optimisation, and fraud detection.
For instance, quantum computers could enable more accurate and efficient financial risk assessments by considering a wider range of variables and scenarios. They could also optimise investment portfolios by finding the best possible combinations of assets to maximise returns and minimise risks, even with highly complex market conditions and individual investor preferences.
Furthermore, quantum computers could enhance fraud detection algorithms by identifying patterns and anomalies in financial data that are currently undetectable, leading to more secure transactions and reduced financial losses. While still in its early stages, quantum computing holds the potential to reshape the financial landscape and drive significant innovation in the years to come.
My advice is to get clued up on the rapidly evolving field of quantum computing, particularly its potential applications and implications for finance.
Related to quantum computing is, of course, Q-Day.
I wrote extensively about Q-Day last year. In 2025, companies must get with the program, understand their cybersecurity estate, and get going, ensuring they are post-quantum-cryptography ready or quantum secure.
My next theme is artificial general intelligence (AGI), which is a big deal.
The theme of GenAI dominated 2024, and I wonder if 2025 is the year of AGI. AGI will be capable of performing any intellectual task a human can, with the ability to reason, learn, and adapt across a wide range of domains.
Its achievement, often called the singularity, would cause a mix of incredible excitement and deep, deep concern. Now may be the moment to dust off the VHS and rewatch The Terminator and The Matrix.
The evolution of GenAI over 2024 was incredible, and I have moved from being cynical about the possibility of AGI to being a ‘not if, but when’ person. 2025 could be the year!
AGI has the potential to supercharge the finance industry. Imagine a “thinking” bank account looking after your money.
A thinking bank account would likely utilise both AGI and GenAI, which would likely require extensive GPU arrays in large data centres for their effective operation. A major focus for 2025 will be the Faustian bargain we’ve struck with technology and its environmental consequences. The greater the model’s intelligence, the greater its impact. Thus, my next theme is AI versus the environment.
Every leap in “intelligence” requires more online processing, leading to a corresponding rise in the computational and cooling resources needed. Computing power, often called “compute,” has surged approximately 550% over the past decade. This trend is expected to continue as AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday applications. High-performance AI models consume far more energy than routine online activities, such as sending an email or completing an online purchase. The tension between advances in AI and the environment will likely become starker if data centres become so large they potentially begin to put pressure on water supplies or power grids for energy.
Finally, experience-led composability, which refers to creating financial services that are modular and seamlessly adaptable to customer needs, emerges as a pivotal trend for the finance industry in 2025. Revolut’s announcement of in-app calling triggered this theme for me.
In 2025, the financial industry finds itself at a pivotal juncture where simplicity and intelligence converge to deliver unparalleled value. A wave of technological advancements, from quantum computing to AI, has set the stage for a “limitless” era. These advancements create boundless opportunities to reimagine customer experiences, whether through agentic banking—where customers are empowered to self-direct their financial journeys—or by elevating existing channels with innovative enhancements.
However, to seize this moment, the Old Guard must act decisively. Established financial institutions, bolstered by their balance sheets, are uniquely positioned to modernise legacy systems and prepare for this future. The window of opportunity is now, and failure to act risks ceding ground to the “new kids on the block” who are rapidly reshaping the industry with agile, experience-led innovations.
Experience-led composability is poised to be a defining theme in finance for 2025. It embodies the idea that financial services must be modular and seamlessly adaptable to customer needs. Revolut’s recent announcement of in-app calling exemplifies this principle, showcasing how a simple yet innovative feature can deliver real value.
Fraudulent calls and phishing attempts have become a relentless scourge. Revolut’s in-app calling solution tackles this head-on. The feature ensures communication authenticity and eliminates the guesswork by enabling users to receive calls directly within the app. Customers can be confident they are speaking with verified representatives, significantly reducing the risk of fraud.
This approach is both simple and brilliant. It solves a pressing issue while aligning perfectly with modern consumer expectations for security and seamless experiences. It’s an elegant example of how experience-led composability can transform financial services, turning pain points into trust-building moments.
About the author
Dave Wallace is a user experience and marketing professional who has spent the last 30 years helping financial services companies design, launch and evolve digital customer experiences.
He is a passionate customer advocate and champion and a successful entrepreneur. All opinions are his own – feel free to debate and comment below!
Follow him on X at @davejvwallace and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Monzo and Barclays, to name 2, might take issue with Revolut being identified as leaders in “in app calling” fraud prevention.
Getting the (backwards facing) GenAI sorted before (forward facing) AGI implementation may be prudent. GenAI is a useful, productive tool, but hallucinations continue to be an issue.
I am uncomfortable with private, monopolistic tech firms with poor employee engagement policies using nuclear power and water resources to further their advantage (perhaps AGI can find more tax avoidance schemes for them?).
I found the discussion on the intersection of quantum technology and AI fascinating. It’s interesting to see how these advancements might impact our approach to environmental challenges. Looking forward to seeing how these themes evolve throughout 2025!
Great article! The themes you’ve highlighted for 2025 are really interesting, especially the focus on AGI and its implications for the environment. Looking forward to seeing how these developments unfold!