As digital innovation accelerates, understanding which technologies truly matter for the future of education and research has become essential.
The newly released Tech Trends Report 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the 50 most important technology trends expected to transform learning, teaching, and scientific discovery over the coming years.
Introduction to the Report
Published on October 8, 2025, the biannual Tech Trends Report was developed by experts from universities, research institutes, universities of applied sciences, UMCs, and SURF, the collaborative ICT organization for education and research in the Netherlands.
Together, they mapped the technological landscape to help institutions make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving digital world.
“Technological developments are advancing at a rapid pace.
With this report, you can instantly distinguish between what is merely hype and what could be the next major technological breakthrough,” said Ron Augustus, Chair of the SURF Board.
The report serves as a practical guide for CIOs, researchers, educators, and policymakers, helping them navigate emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and data management.
Each trend is analyzed for its potential impact on education, research, and campus operations.
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Inspiration for the Next Five Years
Beyond tracking current innovations, the Tech Trends Report looks ahead five years and beyond, identifying the technologies and strategies that will shape the education ecosystem of the future.
It encourages institutions to ask critical questions:
Should projects be developed collaboratively or independently? Should they be open source?
Which innovations warrant investment today to ensure long-term success?
Key Themes in Tech Trends Report 2025:
The ten main topics explored include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Immersive Technologies
- Data Management
- Digital Trust
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Computing
- Compute and Connectivity
- Quantum Technologies
- Wildcards: unpredictable innovations that could reshape the sector
By placing these trends in context, the report empowers education and research leaders to separate hype from genuine opportunity — inspiring smarter, more sustainable innovation for the years ahead.
