In the meantime, here are three technologies we considered including on our 2025 list but ultimately decided to exclude. Although these candidates were not selected this year, they are still worth keeping an eye on. I’m sure it will.
virtual power plant
A virtual power plant is an energy system that links different technologies together to both generate and store electricity. This will allow utilities to connect solar panels and wind turbines to grid batteries and electric vehicles to better manage the flow of power across the grid.
During peak electricity usage periods, software linked to smart meters automatically decides to draw power from a fully charged EV in a neighbor’s garage to power someone’s home one day, and then could reduce demand on the power grid. The software can also come up with ways to compensate EV owners accordingly.
In the U.S., an estimated 500 virtual power plants are currently providing up to 60 gigawatts of capacity (which is about the total capacity the U.S. power grid will add this year). Some such systems are also operating in China, Japan, Croatia, and Taiwan. However, more virtual power plants need to be configured before they can impact the entire grid.
Useful AI agent
AI agents are all the rage right now. These AI-powered helpers will likely schedule meetings, book travel, and perform all sorts of tasks for us online. Agents use generative models to learn how to navigate websites and desktop software (and manage passwords and credit card details). They will likely interact and coordinate with other people’s agents along the way.
And there is real development power behind it. Salesforce just launched a platform that allows businesses to create their own customer service agents. Anthropic’s Claude model is also gaining the ability to interact with a computer using a mouse and keyboard, just like humans do.
However, many challenges remain in ensuring that agents understand the meaning and take the necessary actions when making specific requests. Given the high hurdles, we think it may take some time before they become truly useful. AI agents may be here, but not yet.
eVTOL
Although the acronym is just a mouthful, you can think of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as something like an electric helicopter. Most versions in development are not designed as personal vehicles. Pilots operate the vehicles to transport commuters from the suburbs and tourists from the airport to downtown. One day, these air taxis may fly autonomously.