The Changing Workplace: 2025 Technology Report

Get your free copy of The Changing Workplace: 2025 Technology Report to explore the latest trends in AI, remote work, cybersecurity, and more.

How Technology is Reshaping Work in 2025

The way we work is evolving at an unprecedented pace. In 2025, technology isn’t just a tool—it’s transforming businesses, redefining job roles, and reshaping how teams collaborate. From the shifting dynamics of remote work to the rapid advancement of AI, workplaces everywhere are facing new challenges and opportunities.

For businesses, keeping up with these changes isn’t optional—it’s essential. Understanding how employees feel about AI, whether remote work is still a priority, and what the four-day workweek means for productivity could be the difference between a thriving team and a workforce struggling to keep up.

At Growthy.web, we believe knowledge is power. That’s why we’ve put together our annual Changing Workplace report. We’ve spent countless hours researching, analyzing trends, and listening to real employees, managers, and business leaders to bring you the insights that matter. Our goal? To help you navigate these workplace shifts with confidence and clarity, ensuring your business remains resilient in an ever-evolving world.

Impact of Technology on the Workplace: 2025 Report – Key Takeaways

Technology continues to reshape how we work, bringing both opportunities and challenges. This year’s Impact of Technology on the Workplace Report from Growthy.web uncovers some eye-opening trends about AI, remote work, burnout, cybersecurity, and new workplace policies. Here’s a closer look at what’s changing in the workplace and how businesses are adapting.

Key Findings:

✅ Technology is Boosting Productivity:
A remarkable 88% of senior leaders believe that technology has helped improve productivity in their businesses over the past year. With smarter tools and automation, teams are getting more done in less time.

✅ AI is Becoming Impossible to Ignore:
Last year, 34% of businesses said they hadn’t used AI at all. This year, that number has dropped significantly to just 15%. AI is no longer an optional extra—it’s becoming a necessity for staying competitive.

✅ Data Security Still Needs Work:
Despite AI’s growing influence, only 27% of businesses have introduced strict policies on what data can be shared with AI models. This raises concerns about privacy and cybersecurity risks in the workplace.

✅ Automation Isn’t Killing Jobs—It’s Shifting Them:
While some companies reduced their workforce due to automation, 78% of them are planning to rehire in some capacity. This suggests that automation isn’t just about job loss—it’s about redefining roles and creating new opportunities.

✅ Remote Work Policies Are Stagnant:
Surprisingly, 44% of businesses haven’t made any changes to their remote work policies in the past year. With employee expectations evolving, businesses that fail to adapt may struggle to attract and retain top talent.

✅ The 4-Day Work Week is Gaining Interest:
A growing number of decision-makers (38%) are open to the idea of a 4-day work week. As burnout and work-life balance become bigger concerns, shorter work weeks could be a game-changer.

✅ The Right to Disconnect is a Hot Topic:
A strong 77% of senior leaders support a Right to Disconnect law—similar to France’s policy—which would protect employees from work-related communications outside of office hours. This could be a major step toward reducing burnout and improving mental health.

What This Means for the Future

Technology is shaping the future of work faster than ever. Businesses that embrace AI, rethink remote work, and prioritize employee well-being will likely thrive in this evolving landscape. But those who resist change might find themselves struggling to keep up.

Want to dive deeper? Check out the full report for a detailed breakdown of these findings and what they mean for the future of work.

Technology and Business: A Powerful Partnership for Growth

Let’s keep it simple—when technology and business come together, success follows. To understand this better, we spoke to business owners and senior leaders about how technology has influenced their work, especially in terms of productivity. The response? Overwhelmingly positive.

A staggering 88% of senior leaders shared that technology had significantly boosted productivity in their companies over the past year. In today’s fast-paced world, businesses rely on technology to streamline operations, and falling behind in adopting new tech can spell disaster.

But how exactly has technology made businesses more productive? According to our respondents, the biggest impact was seen in operations (27%), where automation and digital tools have made processes faster and more efficient. Sales teams (15%) also benefited, using technology to connect with customers more effectively, while product development (14%) saw improvements in innovation and speed.

At its core, technology isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about empowering businesses to grow, adapt, and stay ahead. Those who embrace it thrive, while those who resist risk being left behind.

Employees and Investors Believe AI Will Stick Around

Our research has shown one thing clearly: AI is not just a passing trend in the business world. Ever since everyday tools like ChatGPT became popular, companies have been eagerly embracing AI, and there’s a genuine buzz that it’s here for the long haul.

Over the past year, the shift towards AI has been dramatic. While last year 34% of businesses admitted they hadn’t used AI at all, that number has now shrunk to just 15%. This means a whopping 85% of companies are using AI in some capacity to boost their productivity—and that’s pretty exciting!

Even if you’re not a business owner, this matters to you too. Employers are increasingly on the lookout for candidates with AI skills. In fact, 87% of companies now consider AI expertise important when hiring, a big jump from 66% in 2023. It’s a bit overwhelming to see technology transform the job market so quickly, but it also feels inspiring knowing that these changes are opening up new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Business Policies Are Failing to Keep Up with AI

AI technology is advancing at an incredible pace, but when it comes to security and privacy, businesses are struggling to keep up. Protecting sensitive data should be a top priority, yet many companies are still unprepared.

Despite the widespread use of generative AI in business, our research shows a troubling reality—most companies have no clear policies in place to safeguard confidential information. Shockingly, only 27% of businesses have strict guidelines on what data can be shared with AI models. This means that sensitive customer details, like Social Security numbers and medical records, could be at risk due to careless AI usage.

Even worse, many of the existing policies are poorly designed. Instead of following industry best practices, 32% of businesses are merely reviewing AI tools before approving them, without deeper oversight. Meanwhile, 21% are restricting certain job roles from using AI, and another 11% have taken the extreme step of banning AI altogether.

The lack of strong, well-thought-out AI policies isn’t just a business oversight—it’s a risk to customer trust and data security. Companies need to act fast before AI becomes a liability rather than an asset.

Most Businesses Still Prefer Human Employees

With AI advancing rapidly, it's no surprise that many employees feel anxious about their future. The fear of being replaced by machines is real, and the headlines about job losses only add to the uncertainty. While it's true that AI is reshaping the job market and automating tasks at an unprecedented rate, our research reveals a reassuring fact—most businesses still prefer to have real people on their teams.

The wave of tech layoffs has fueled concerns that AI-driven job cuts are already taking effect. However, our findings show that 78% of businesses that reduced staff due to automation plan to rehire at least some employees. Only 22% are confident they can function without filling those positions. This means that while AI is certainly changing the landscape, companies still recognize the irreplaceable value of human workers.

That being said, AI-driven job losses are increasing. In 2024, 14% of business owners admitted that AI has significantly reduced the need for certain roles—a jump from just 8% last year. The trend is clear, but it doesn't necessarily spell doom for workers. Businesses are adapting, and so must employees. The future of work isn’t just about machines—it’s about how humans and AI can collaborate to build something even better.

Remote Work Is About Keeping Employees Happy

In the past few years, many big companies like Dell and Amazon have pushed for employees to return to the office, rolling back the remote work policies that became common during the pandemic. It might seem like the era of working from home is fading, but our research tells a different story. Many businesses are still offering flexible work options—and some are even expanding them.

In fact, 44% of US businesses haven’t changed their remote work policies at all over the past year. Even more encouraging, 10% have actually increased the number of remote workdays available to employees—a clear sign that work-life balance still matters.

So why is remote work such a valued perk? According to our research, 35% of employees appreciate the flexibility it provides, making it easier to balance their professional and personal lives. Another 20% say working from home boosts their productivity, while 13% highlight the freedom to choose their own workspace as a major benefit.

At the end of the day, remote work isn’t just about convenience—it’s about keeping employees happy, engaged, and productive. And for many companies, that’s a priority worth holding onto.

Growing Support for the 4-Day Work Week

Not too long ago, the thought of a 4-day work week seemed like a distant dream—something people wished for but never really believed could happen. It felt unrealistic, like asking for a perfect balance between work and personal life. But times have changed. In recent years, more and more countries and companies have decided to give it a try, and the results have been surprisingly positive.

Now, businesses are starting to question whether a five-day work week is truly necessary. Maybe we’ve just accepted it as the norm without asking if it’s the best way to work. Our research shows that 38% of U.S. businesses are open to the idea of a 4-day work week, a significant jump from the previous year.

This shift in perspective is remarkable. Just last year, only 23% of businesses were considering it, while 25% had completely ruled it out. The fact that opinions are changing so quickly suggests that people are beginning to see the real benefits—better work-life balance, improved productivity, and happier employees. What once seemed like a dream might just become the future of work.

Senior Leaders Send Mixed Signals on the Right to Disconnect

In countries like France, Belgium, and Portugal, employees have the legal right to disconnect, meaning they can ignore work-related messages outside of working hours without fear of consequences. But in the U.S., no such law exists—at least not yet.

Interestingly, our research found that 77% of senior leaders in U.S. businesses support some form of a Right to Disconnect law. For many workers, this could be a game-changer. Currently, only 17% of employees feel completely free to ignore work-related messages while on vacation. The rest? They carry the weight of unspoken expectations, constantly checking their phones, afraid that missing a message might cost them professionally.

However, there’s a catch. While leaders say they support the idea of work-life balance, their actions tell a different story. A staggering 87% of senior leaders believe it’s acceptable to reach out to employees on vacation—for anything from urgent crises to moderately time-sensitive but non-critical tasks. This contradiction leaves employees stuck in an exhausting cycle, torn between wanting to unplug and fearing the consequences of doing so.

So, while the idea of a Right to Disconnect gains traction, the real question remains: Will leaders practice what they preach, or will work continue to follow employees wherever they go?

The Impact of Tech 2025 Report: Our Approach

To truly understand how technology is shaping today’s workplaces, we reached out to 1,036 senior executives and workplace managers from companies with at least 10 employees. We wanted a diverse mix of industries to get a well-rounded view of the current landscape.

A significant portion—61%—of the businesses we surveyed had 100 or more employees, while 7% fell into the smaller range of 10 to 24 employees. When it came to gender representation, the responses were evenly balanced, with 49% of participants being women and 51% being men.

To maintain fairness and accuracy, we conducted our research through a neutral survey, with participants selected by an independent third-party panel in September 2024. Our goal was simple: to paint a clear and honest picture of how technology is influencing workplaces today.

Growthy.Web: Who We Are

Before smartphones ruled our lives, we were already here. We started in 2006 as a small but passionate community in Chicago, bringing tech companies together to share ideas, spark innovation, and build something bigger than themselves.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve grown into a global media platform, helping businesses of all sizes navigate the fast-changing world of technology. From CRM and project management tools to POS systems and website builders, we do the heavy lifting—so you don’t have to. Beyond that, we keep our readers in the loop on the latest in AI, remote work, big tech, and everything shaping the digital world.

We take research seriously. Our team spends hundreds of hours independently testing and analyzing products and services to give you honest, practical recommendations—no matter your budget or business needs.

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