Automation trends highlighted in Gartner's Hype Cycle include four key areas

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the concept of the "Autonomous Business" is taking centre stage, according to Gartner. This new era is poised to revolutionise the business landscape, as companies seek decision processes that are fast, high-quality, consistent, compliant, cost-efficient, and capable of handling complexity and change.

Gartner's Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies 2025 highlights two key technologies supporting the development of autonomous enterprises: AI agents and world models. Notable companies like Microsoft and consultancies such as Deloitte are actively investing in these areas, recognising their potential impact on sectors reliant on service automation, robotics, and generative AI. The implications are far-reaching, with customer service, manufacturing, and AI-driven digital transformation across industries all set for significant disruption.

AI Agents, as identified by Gartner, are expected to perform tasks without human intervention, from decision-making to interaction with other systems and the execution of tasks. The rise of agentic AI and generative AI, coupled with regulatory pressure on decision automation and the recent global uncertainty, has exposed weaknesses in traditional business and decision-making processes, according to Christian Stephan, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner.

In the context of autonomous businesses, CIOs are encouraged to evaluate how emerging technologies can create competitive advantages, increase efficiency, and open new growth opportunities.

Another transformative technology is Programmable Money, any form of digital money that can be developed using software, with its functionality determined by algorithmic criteria. This innovation is particularly impactful for financial services, enabling new forms of currency and digital asset markets. Companies must engage with programmable money to enable interaction with machines as a new type of customer, as well as with business partners and employees. Programmable Money can rely on blockchain-based tokenization and smart contracts.

The rise of machine customers, such as virtual personal assistants, smart home appliances, connected cars, and IoT-enabled factory equipment, is another critical aspect of the shift towards autonomous businesses. Companies must rethink their business models to keep up with this trend, as machine customers are predicted to play a significant role in industries such as manufacturing, retail, and consumer goods, opening up new revenue and efficiency opportunities.

Gartner identifies four key technologies that are crucial for Autonomous Business: Machines as Customers, AI Agents, Decision Intelligence, and Hyperautomation. Decision Intelligence is a practical discipline aimed at advancing decision-making, understanding and designing how decisions are made and results are managed based on feedback.

As we move towards a future where machines become customers, businesses must be prepared to adapt and evolve. The number of B2B machines connected to the internet is already at three billion and is projected to reach eight billion by 2030, according to Gartner. This shift towards autonomous businesses fosters innovation in value creation, financing, and the exchange of assets, including machine-to-machine trading, and reshapes supply and financial value chains.

For more insights, Gartner clients can learn more in the report "Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, 2025". Embrace the future of business with Gartner's guidance and stay ahead in the race towards Autonomous Business.