The bleeding edge: In-memory processing is a fascinating concept for a new computer architecture that can compute operations within the system's memory. While hardware accommodating this type of processing is still in early development, researchers have already proposed a software approach that can effectively leverage the hardware. Israeli researchers have developed a new software "platform" to turn easily readable Python instructions into low-level machine code and execute it in RAM without going through the CPU. This new in-memory processing (PIM) architecture significantly improves code performance and will be instrumental in turning the PIM research efforts into a proper computer architecture.Professor Shahar Kvatinsky and his team at the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering have worked on PIM technology for quite some time. They are trying to solve the memory wall problem the need for two completely separate hardware components (CPU and RAM) to execute computing tasks.In a traditional PC architecture, the CPU executes programmed instructions stored in RAM. Finding a way to run the instructions at the RAM level would mitigate the "traffic jam" of data transferred between the processor and memory.Proper PIM computation could accelerate computer work in many fields, including AI, biotech, finance, and more. Hardware components to facilitate PIM operations are in development, with researchers working on new memory architectures and electronics. So far, little research has gone into computer programs that can work on PIM-enabled machines.Kvatinsky's team has proposed a concept called PyPIM, a portmanteau of Python and Processing-in-Memory. PyPIM's new interface and development libraries would convert traditional, high-level Python commands into low-level, PIM-enabled machine code that runs more efficiently on PIM hardware. // Related StoriesThe approach proposed by PyPIM could accelerate PIM adoption significantly, as programmers would not have to learn a new language. They would continue to code in Python as usual. The researchers created a hardware development simulator and a performance measurement tool so programmers could assess the performance improvements achieved with PIM. The study also proposed math and algorithmic tasks to show how PyPIM could improve computing performance.

If youre in the market for a new Mac (or Apple display), theres a lot of choice ahead of you. Maybe youre interested in a lightweight MacBook Air from the selection of the best MacBooks or maybe one of the desktop Macs. Either way, theres a wide variety of Apple products on offer, including some external desktop monitors.Below youll find the latest information on each model, including if its a good time to buy and when the next one up is coming.Recommended VideosChris Hagan / Digital TrendsThe MacBook Pro represents the high-end of Apples MacBook lineup, and it was updated it in October 2024. This revamp brought the M4 chip series to the flagship laptop, including the M4, the M4 Pro, and the M4 Max.RelatedHowever, it was much more than just a chip update, as Apple increased the memory capacity at every level (including double the starting RAM of the previous MacBook Pro). Theres a black color option for the entry-level M4 MacBook Pro, a brighter display with a nano-texture option, an improved webcam, more ports with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity, plus longer battery life. And lets not forget the mini-LED display that can range up to 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness and 1,000 of SDR brightness.Given the recent update, we wouldnt expect a new MacBook Pro until at least fall 2025, which would fit in with Apples rumored plans to update this laptop on a regular, annual basis. This new model is likely to be a modest upgrade, with a much larger refresh rumored for 2026. This could get an OLED display and a thinner chassis, while Apple also is expected to bring out a foldable MacBook at some point in the coming years.Luke Larsen / Digital TrendsApples slimmest laptop received its most recent changes in March 2024 when Apple launched the M3 MacBook Air. The M3 chip brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing and better performance compared to the previous MacBook Air, as well as better microphones and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Thats wrapped up in Apples thinnest and lightest laptop chassis, along with a 500-nit display and comfortable keyboard.The MacBook Air is the next Mac in line for an update, with a new version expected to launch in spring 2025. While we can be certain that this will come with the M4 chip, theres not a lot else we know for sure about it. There are murmurings that Apple is working on an OLED MacBook Air, but this isnt due to launch for a few years.Chris Hagan / Digital TrendsIn October 2024, Apple gave the Mac mini its most significant overhaul in 14 years. The devices case was completely redesigned to take on the appearance of a downsized Mac Studio, with a footprint about half the size of the previous model. Apple skipped the M3 chip entirely and upgraded the Mac mini from the M2 to the M4 and M4 Pro chips, which has resulted in an impressive performance leap. Elsewhere, the memory capacity has been increased at every tier, theres support for up to three external displays, theres a new port arrangement that features Thunderbolt 5 on the M4 Pro model, and you get two USB-C ports on the front of the computer (the USB-A ports have been removed).Apple wont bring out another Mac mini until fall 2025 at the earliest. Theres not much in the way of rumors for future Mac mini models, but well update this page as soon as we hear more.Caleb Denison / Digital TrendsIn October 2024, the iMac became the first Apple computer to get the M4 chip (following the iPad Pro in May 2024). Aside from the speedy new chip, you can now buy it in a new range of colors, with increased memory bandwidth, more starting memory, an improved webcam, as well as Apples nano-texture glass option that cuts down on reflections and glare (this was previously only available on the Pro Display XDR and the iPad Pro).As with several other M4 Macs, the iMacs next update is likely to arrive around fall 2025. There is talk that Apple is working on a larger iMac, perhaps with a 30-inch or 32-inch display and mini-LED tech, and this might debut alongside the next iMac in 2025. That said, this project has reportedly been delayed many times, so dont bet the house on it arriving any time soon.Mark Coppock / Digital TrendsThe latest update to the Mac Studio arrived in June 2023. Today, it comes with M2 Max and M2 Ultra chips, huge amounts of memory, wide support for its external displays, as well as compatibility with high-impedance headphones, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. Its a highly capable computer inside a very compact chassis, making it ideal for high-end workloads even if you dont have a lot of desk space.Apple has skipped the M3 generation in the Mac Studio, so its next update should bring the M4 Max and M4 Ultra chips alongside a significant increase in performance. Reports have suggested that the M4 Ultra will have 32 CPU cores and 80 GPU cores, double the core counts you can find in the MacBook Pros M4 Max chip.Brittany Hose-Small / AFP via Getty ImagesLike the Mac Studio, the Mac Pro received its most recent update in June 2023. This was a sizable change for Apples most powerful Mac, as it was the first time it came outfitted with Apple silicon chips (in this case, the M2 Ultra). Buying this model today gets you the most modular (and expensive) Mac on the market, including support for PCIe expansion, huge amounts of memory, massive support for external displays, and high-end CPU and GPU performance.Looking ahead, the M4 Ultra is a certainty, and this is expected to arrive in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. There are rumors that this might result in the Mac Pro getting a maximum memory capacity of 512GB, up from the current 192GB.Theres also the question of the Mac Pros design. The current chassis was designed for the 2019 model, which featured Intel chips that ran hot, as well as expandable, discrete graphics cards. Thats no longer the case, and its arguable that the Mac Pro doesnt need to be as large or as focused on cooling as it currently is now that it uses Apple silicon chips. There arent many rumors that Apple will soon redesign the Mac Pros chassis, so dont expect that to come next year, but dont be surprised if its somewhere on the horizon.AppleThe 27-inch Studio Display is Apples more accessible monitor (at least compared to the Pro Display XDR, anyway). It comes with a 5K resolution and 600 nits of brightness, an internal A13 Bionic chip that handles Center Stage and Spatial Audio, a nano-texture glass option that cuts down on reflections and glare, one Thunderbolt 3 slot and three USB-C ports, plus two different stand options.Theres a bit of confusion surrounding the date we can expect a new version of the Studio Display. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes we could see it in 2025 or 2024 (the latter date being very unlikely now), whereas display industry expert Ross Young thinks Apple has suspended its plans for a Studio Display with a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Aside from that, not much else is known about what we might see in the next Studio Display.Julian Chokkattu / Digital TrendsWe first saw the Pro Display XDR in 2019, when it launched alongside the then-redesigned Mac Pro. Its Apples most capable monitor, and it comes with a 32-inch 6K screen, up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness (for HDR content only), 576 local dimming zones, a nano-texture glass option, one Thunderbolt 3 and three USB-C ports, and two stand options.Out of all the products in this article, the Pro Display XDR has gone the longest without an update, as it hasnt been changed since it launched in 2019. Seeing as it was released in tandem with the Mac Pro, wed expect the same to happen this time around, and with the Mac Pro slated for a 2025 refresh, the Pro Display XDR might be updated at the same time. Rumors have suggested that it will get an onboard chip just like the Studio Display, which should bring a few more software features to the table. Other than that, not much else is known at this point.Editors Recommendations

Todays viewers have more options than ever when it comes to choosing a streaming platform. Whether youre in the market for new exclusive shows, access to live TV, or a library that has your comfort shows available, you no longer have to compromise. Of course, with so many excellent options available, narrowing things down to just one streaming provider can be a difficult task.If youve managed to narrow it down to Disney+ or Hulu, weve got all the details you need to make an informed choice. Both of these services are super popular and deliver a wide VOD library, along with excellent exclusive programs you can only get from them. Disney+ has access to all things Marvel, and Star Wars, along with all the movies from the Disney vault. Alternatively, Hulu has focused more on beefing up the TV programs in their VOD library and has released amazing original shows like Only Murders in the Building.Recommended VideosSo which one is right for you Disney+ or Hulu? We can help.RelatedA streaming service can have a gigantic library, but if it doesnt have the shows youwant to watch, then its not the right service for you, is it? That means the first challenge is figuring out whether Hulu or Disney+ has more content that you want to watch.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsHulus library puts a significant emphasis on TV, meaning youll be able to find tons of great shows from familiar favorites, to new exclusives. Networks and cable channels like NBC, FOX, ABC, and others put new episodes of many of their shows on Hulu the day after they air. Hulu has also been making big gains in original content, thanks to critically acclaimed projects likeThe Handmaids Tale,Shogun, andThe Bear.Alternatively, Disney+ is the streaming home of all things Disney. This includes the likes of Star Wars, National Geographic, Pixar, and Marvel, along with the vault of movies from Disney itself. Its the best place for new Disney movies, along with exclusive shows like Agatha All Along, andStar Wars: Ahsoka. If you have kids, there is also a wealth of kid-friendly content here, including favorites from years ago.Its also worth remembering that Disney owns both Hulu and Disney+, which means your best option is to bundle these services together and get access to everything at once. In fact, if you do this youll be able to access Hulu content on Disney+, making it easy to install just one app and access twice the content. Bundling Hulu with Disney+ is also the best way to access Hulu + Live TV and ensure you never miss an episode of your favorite programs.Phil Nickinson / Digital TrendsDisney+s pricing structure is pretty easy if youre only interested in one service. It costs $16 a month, or $160 a year to stream without ads. If ads dont bug you, you can snag the service for just $10 a month.Hulu is a little bit trickier, but only because they have more options. Their ad-supported tier is $10 a month, or $100 per year, while the ad-free tier will run you $19 each month. However, its worth remembering that there are still a few programs that will run ads before or after programs, even if youre on the ad-free plan. There is also Hulu + Live TV. If you dont care about streaming anything from the VOD library at all, you can snag Hulu + Live TV for $82 per month. If you want Hulus VOD library and live streaming, thats where the bundles comes in.Hulu is now fully owned by Disney, which means there are all kinds of sweet deals for bundling the two services together. A bundle is also the only way to get Hulu + Live TV and access to the VOD library.DisneyWhether you bundle the services through Hulu or Disney+ is definitely dependent on what you actually want. If you definitely want Hulu + Live TV, then youll need to bundle on the Hulu side of things. You can get Hulu + Live TV, Disney+ (with ads) and ESPN+(with ads) for $83 each month. You can remove ads on just Disney+ for $88 per month, or on Disney+ and Hulu for $96 per month.If Hulu + Live TV isnt a priority for you, then youll want to bundle through Disney+. The Disney Duo Basic Bundle will run you $11 per month, and gets you access to the ad-supported tier of both Hulu and Disney. For $20 per month, you can bundle the two services without ads on the Disney Duo Premium Bundle. Disney also offers several bundles that include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, as well as bundle options that include the Max streaming service (formerly HBO Max). Its all about knowing what you want, and picking the bundle that works best for you.While picking one service or the other might be hard, we suggest bundling Disney+ and Hulu. If you opt for the ad-free tier of the Disney Duo Bundle, youre only paying an additional $1 each month for a second streaming service. If you dont want to deal with ads then its only $4 more each month to access the entire VOD libraries of both Hulu and Disney+. As far as deals go, they dont get much better than that. Its also worth noting that the Disney Duo Premium Bundle is the only plan from Disney+ that didnt go up in October.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsWeve got good news when it comes to supported devices. If you have a phone, tablet, computer, streaming box, or video game console, you should be able to watch both Hulu and Disney+ without any issues. Both services are very popular, which means theyre supported by almost every video-streaming device. Its worth checking each services compatibility list before signing up (Hulus is here, and Disney+s is here), but unless your hardware is extremely old or significantly outdated, you should be good to go.Screenshot Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital TrendsBoth Disney+ and Hulu look great, and are fairly intuitive to use. They both use categories, with tiles for each program, making it easy to scroll through the options when youre looking for something to watch. Youll find featured shows and movies at the top of the screen, and filtering by category is a breeze. Both providers also have hubs for specific content, to try and make it easier to find the shows you want to watch. However, with both streamers, you can also expect to find obscure treasures if you go scrolling through the entire library.When it comes to accessibility, both streamers are about even. They both have limited compatibility with screen readers, audio description tracks, and access to subtitles. While Hulu hasnt rolled out subtitles across the board, Disney+ has put an emphasis on delivering subtitles on as many programs as possible. You can find details on which accessibility features are compatible with Hulu on its website, and with Disney+ on its website.Jen Karner / Digital TrendsDisney+ and Hulu both have access to 4K Ultra HD resolution programming. The caveat here, is that youll need a TV or streaming box capable of displaying in 4K. On Hulu, 4K is mostly limited to their Hulu Originals, but it can be spotted by the 4K badge on shows and movies. Disney+, on the other hand, offers 4K Ultra HD with HDR on a bunch of content including some older movies, like the original Star Wars trilogy. In both cases, youll be able to see the video quality of any program on its associated tile.As for audio quality, Hulu has limited stereo sound for the vast majority of its content, although the same shows are available in 5.1 surround sound elsewhere. Disney+ takes the win again with a growing library of content in 5.1 surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and, on certain devices, IMAX Enhanced sound with DTS:X. Once again, its dependent entirely on the program youre looking at, and youll be able to see the audio quality in the program tile.Disney hasnt made picking between Hulu and Disney+ an easy proposition. Both of these streaming platforms are super popular, available for a similar price, and have great libraries to go scrolling through. Disney+ has access to all things Disney, plus blockbuster movies like Marvel, and exclusive new shows in the Star Wars universe. Meanwhile Hulu has all the great TV you might be missing from cutting the cord, from old favorites to new exclusive like The Bear. Phil Nickinson / Digital TrendsWhile choosing between the two might be difficult, its ultimately unnecessary. With a bundle you can snag access to both Disney+ and Hulu for just $20. Thats only $4 more per month than the ad-free tier of Disney+ alone, and its well worth the small bump in price. Whichever way you decide to go, theres plenty here to watch.Editors Recommendations

The prediction-market startup accused the Biden administration of retaliation for calling the election for Donald Trump.

The worlds richest man has been pushing for allies to get roles in new administration.

The singer combines archival recordings and contemporary sessions to collaborate with relatives past and present on this 3-LP set that finds her digging into her roots and tracing musical evolutions across the generations.

An exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts focuses on photographers from the European nation who ended up in the U.S., where many of them forged brilliant careers.

Inching toward usefulness IBM boosts the amount of computation you can get done on quantum hardware Incremental improvements across the hardware and software stacks add up. John Timmer Nov 13, 2024 5:42 pm | 5 Credit: IBM Credit: IBM Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThere's a general consensus that we won't be able to consistently perform sophisticated quantum calculations without the development of error-corrected quantum computing, which is unlikely to arrive until the end of the decade. It's still an open question, however, whether we could perform limited but useful calculations at an earlier point. IBM is one of the companies that's betting the answer is yes, and on Wednesday, it announced a series of developments aimed at making that possible.On their own, none of the changes being announced are revolutionary. But collectively, changes across the hardware and software stacks have produced much more efficient and less error-prone operations. The net result is a system that supports the most complicated calculations yet on IBM's hardware, leaving the company optimistic that its users will find some calculations where quantum hardware provides an advantage.Better hardware and softwareIBM's early efforts in the quantum computing space saw it ramp up the qubit count rapidly, being one of the first companies to reach the 1,000 qubit count. However, each of those qubits had an error rate that ensured that any algorithms that tried to use all of these qubits in a single calculation would inevitably trigger one. Since then, the company's focus has been on improving the performance of smaller processors. Wednesday's announcement was based on the introduction of the second version of its Heron processor, which has 133 qubits. That's still beyond the capability of simulations on classical computers, should it be able to operate with sufficiently low errors.IBM VP Jay Gambetta told Ars that Revision 2 of Heron focused on getting rid of what are called TLS (two-level system) errors. "If you see this sort of defect, which can be a dipole or just some electronic structure that is caught on the surface, that is what we believe is limiting the coherence of our devices," Gambetta said. This happens because the defects can resonate at a frequency that interacts with a nearby qubit, causing the qubit to drop out of the quantum state needed to participate in calculations (called a loss of coherence).By making small adjustments to the frequency that the qubits are operating at, it's possible to avoid these problems. This can be done when the Heron chip is being calibrated before it's opened for general use.Separately, the company has done a rewrite of the software that controls the system during operations. "After learning from the community, seeing how to run larger circuits, [we were able to] almost better define what it should be and rewrite the whole stack towards that," Gambetta said. The result is a dramatic speed-up. "Something that took 122 hours now is down to a couple of hours," he told Ars.Since people are paying for time on this hardware, that's good for customers now. However, it could also pay off in the longer run, as some errors can occur randomly, so less time spent on a calculation can mean fewer errors.Deeper computationsDespite all those improvements, errors are still likely during any significant calculations. While it continues to work toward developing error-corrected qubits, IBM is focusing on what it calls error mitigation, which it first detailed last year. As we described it then:"The researchers turned to a method where they intentionally amplified and then measured the processor's noise at different levels. These measurements are used to estimate a function that produces similar output to the actual measurements. That function can then have its noise set to zero to produce an estimate of what the processor would do without any noise at all."The problem here is that using the function is computationally difficult, and the difficulty increases with the qubit count. So, while it's still easier to do error mitigation calculations than simulate the quantum computer's behavior on the same hardware, there's still the risk of it becoming computationally intractable. But IBM has also taken the time to optimize that, too. "They've got algorithmic improvements, and the method that uses tensor methods [now] uses the GPU," Gambetta told Ars. "So I think it's a combination of both."That doesn't mean the computational challenge of error mitigation goes away, but it does allow the method to be used with somewhat larger quantum circuits before things become unworkable.Combining all these techniques, IBM has used this setup to model a simple quantum system called an Ising model. And it produced reasonable results after performing 5,000 individual quantum operations called gates. "I think the official metric is something like if you want to estimate an observable with 10 percent accuracy, we've shown that we can get all the techniques working to 5,000 gates now," Gambetta told Ars.That's good enough that researchers are starting to use the hardware to simulate the electronic structure of some simple chemicals, such as iron-sulfur compounds. And Gambetta viewed that as an indication that quantum computing is becoming a viable scientific tool.But he was quick to say that this doesn't mean we're at the point where quantum computers can clearly and consistently outperform classical hardware. "The question of advantagewhich is when is the method of running it with quantum circuits is the best method, over all possible classical methodsis a very hard scientific question that we need to get algorithmic researchers and domain experts to answer," Gambetta said. "When quantum's going to replace classical, you've got to beat the best possible classical method with the quantum method, and that [needs] an iteration in science. You try a different quantum method, [then] you advance the classical method. And we're not there yet. I think that will happen in the next couple of years, but that's an iterative process."John TimmerSenior Science EditorJohn TimmerSenior Science Editor John is Ars Technica's science editor. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. When physically separated from his keyboard, he tends to seek out a bicycle, or a scenic location for communing with his hiking boots. 5 Comments Prev story

Farewell, Freevee Amazon ends free ad-supported streaming service after Prime Video with ads debuts Selling subscriptions to Prime Video with ads is more lucrative for Amazon. Scharon Harding Nov 13, 2024 3:56 pm | 15 A shot from the Freevee original series Bosch: Legacy. Credit: Amazon Freevee/YouTube A shot from the Freevee original series Bosch: Legacy. Credit: Amazon Freevee/YouTube Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreAmazon is shutting down Freevee, its free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, as it heightens focus on selling ads on its Prime Video subscription service.Amazon, which has owned IMDb since 1998, launched Freevee as IMDb Freedive in 2019. The service let people watch movies and shows, including Freevee originals, on demand without a subscription fee. Amazon's streaming offering was also previously known as IMDb TV and rebranded to Amazon Freevee in 2022.According to a report from Deadline this week, Freevee is being phased out over the coming weeks, but a firm closing date hasnt been shared publicly.Explaining the move to Deadline, an Amazon spokesperson said:To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding. There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select Originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST Channels all available on Prime Video.The shutdown also means that producers can no longer pitch shows to Freevee as Freevee originals, and any pending deals for such projects have been cancelled, Deadline reported.Freevee shows still available for freeFreevee original shows include Jury Duty, with James Marsden, Judy Justice, with Judge Judy Sheindlin, and Bosch:Legacy, a continuation of the Prime Video original series Bosch. The Freevee originals are expected to be available to watch on Prime Video after Freevee closes. People won't need a Prime Video or Prime subscription in order to watch these shows. As of this writing, I was also able to play some Freevee original movies without logging in to a Prime Video or Prime account. Prime Video has also made some Prime Video originals, like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, available under a Freevee section in Prime Video where people can watch for free if they log in to an Amazon (Prime Video or Prime subscriptions not required) account. Before this week's announcement, Prime Video and Freevee were already sharing some content.Bloomberg reported this week that some Freevee shows will remain free to watch due to contractual prohibitions. Its unclear what might happen to such Freevee original content after said contractual obligations conclude.Freevee became redundant, confusingAmazon's FAST service seemed redundant after Amazon launched the Prime Video ad tier in January. With the subscription tier making money from subscription fees and ads shown on Prime Video with ads, it made little sense for Amazon to continue with Freevee, which only has the latter revenue stream.Pushing people from streaming off of Freevee to Prime Video could help Amazon attract people to Prime Video or Amazon's e-commerce site and simplify tracking what people are streaming. Meanwhile, Amazon plans to show more ads on Prime Video in 2025 than it did this year.Two anonymous sources told advertising trade publication Adweek in February that the two services were confusing subscribers and ad buyers. At the time, the publication claimed that Amazon was laying the groundwork" to kill Freevee "for months. It cited two anonymous people familiar with the matter who pointed to moves like Amazon shifting Freevee technical workers to working on the Prime Video ads infrastructure and Amazon laying off Freevee marketing and strategy employees. In February, Amazon denied that it was ending Freevee, saying it was "an important streaming offering providing both Prime and non-Prime customers thousands of hit movies, shows, and originals, all for free, per Adweek.Freevees demise comes as streaming providers try navigating a booming market where profits remain elusive and ad businesses are still developing. Some industry stakeholders and analysts are expecting more consolidation in the streaming industry as competition intensifies and streamers get increasingly picky about constantly rising subscription fees.The end of Freevee also marks another product in the Amazon graveyard. Other products that Amazon has killed since 2023 includeAstro for Business robots, Amazon Halo fitness trackers, theAlexa Built-in smartphone app, and the Amazon Drive file storage service.Scharon HardingSenior Product ReviewerScharon HardingSenior Product Reviewer Scharon is Ars Technicas Senior Product Reviewer writing news, reviews, and analysis on consumer technology, including laptops, mechanical keyboards, and monitors. Shes based in Brooklyn. 15 Comments Prev story

In the past few years, artificial intelligence has dominated New Years predictions. While the same can be said about 2025, scalability, responsibility, and safety will be stronger themes.For example, global business and technology consulting firm West Monroe Partners sees data and data governance being major focus areas.Its no longer just about quick wins or isolated use cases. The focus is shifting towards building robust data platforms that can support long-term business goals as they move forward, says Cory Chaplin, technology and experience practice leader at West Monroe. A key part of this evolution is ensuring that organizations have the right data foundation in place which in turn allows them to harness the full potential of advanced uses like analytics and AI.Efforts Will Focus on Responsible and Safe UseGenAI has caught the attention of boards and CEOs, but its success hinges on having clean, accessible data.Much of whats driving conversations around AI today is not just the technology itself, but the need for businesses to rethink how they use data to unlock new opportunities, says Chaplin. AI is part of this equation, but data remains the foundation that everything else builds upon.West Monroe also sees a shift toward platform-enabled environments where software, data, and platforms converge.Rather than creating everything from scratch, companies are focusing on selecting, configuring, and integrating the right platforms to drive value. The key challenge now is helping clients leverage the platforms they already have and making sure they can get the most out of them, says Chaplin. As a result, IT teams need to develop cross-functional skills that blend software development, platform integration and data management. This convergence of skills is where we see impact -- helping clients navigate the complexities of platform integration and optimization in a fast-evolving landscape.Right now, organizations face significant challenges keeping pace with rapid technological advancements, especially with AI evolving so quickly. While many organizations have built substantial product and data teams, their ability to adapt and innovate at business speed often falls short.Cory Chaplin, West MonroeIts not just about having the right headcount. Its about the capacity to move quickly and embrace new technologies, says Chaplin. Even with skilled talent, internal teams can get bogged down by established processes and pre-existing organizational structures. The demand for specialized expertise in AI and data-driven fields continues to outpace supply, complicating their transformation journeys. This is where we provide the support needed to challenge existing paradigms and accelerate their progress.Over the last few years, there has been a gap between expectations and progress. Despite the hype surrounding AI, data, and new technologies, many organizations have struggled to realize the full value of their investments, irrespective of industry.Organizations are tired of chasing buzzwords, says Chaplin. They want AI to be a productive part of their operations, working behind the scenes to enhance existing platforms, support their teams and drive growth. They [also] want help embedding AI into their current operations, ensuring that its not just another shiny tool, but a core driver of growth and efficiency within existing business operations.AI Plus ModernizationThe demand for AI/ML and GenAI is growing across industries, particularly in areas like automation, predictive analytics, and personalized customer experiences. Data and analytics remain crucial as businesses aim to harness their data to make smarter, faster decisions. Cloud and application modernization are also essential as many organizations want to update legacy systems, improve agility, and adopt cloud-native technologies.Many clients need help with scalability, technology integration and data modernization. They may need help with outdated systems, underutilized data or the complexities of adopting new technologies, particularly in highly regulated industries like life sciences and energy, says Stephen Senterfit, president of enterprise business consultancy Smartbridge, Additionally, the rapid pace of innovation can make it hard for businesses to know where to focus their resources.With this help, enterprises should see improved operational efficiencies, better data-driven decision-making and more robust customer engagement. They will also be able to scale rapidly, remain competitive in their respective industries and innovate in ways that were previously out of reach.Smartbridge's relationship with clients is evolving from technology service provider to strategic partner, says Senterfit. Clients expect us to help them navigate broader digital strategies, advise them on tech implementation and innovation roadmaps, and future-proof their business models.AI-Related Change Management and UpskillingAs AI continues to become increasingly mainstream, theres a growing demand for organizational design, change management, and upskilling services designed to get more out of new ways of working and managing organizational shifts.Clients are increasingly asking, How do we build AI into our business? says West Monroes Chaplin. This isnt just about implementing new technologies, its about preparing the workforce and the organization to operate in a world where AI plays a significant role. Theres momentum building around this intersection of organizational design, change management, and upskilling -- helping companies function effectively in an AI-driven environment.CybersecurityAs businesses adopt AI, use more data, and deploy new emerging technologies, cybersecurity becomes even more critical.With increased platform adoption, securing confidential information is paramount. We see a renewed emphasis on secure software development practices and tighter controls on AI/ML model usage, ensuring protection as organizations scale their AI initiatives, says Chaplin. By understanding and utilizing their data effectively, organizations can foster a culture where data-driven insights inform decision-making processes. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives innovation across the business.Organizations should consider data a critical asset that requires attention and strategic use. This requires a mindset shift that can lead to improved outcomes across various functions, particularly in cybersecurity, where organizations can de-risk their operations even amid rapid changes.With platform-enabled environments, organizations can reduce their reliance on fully custom solutions. By leveraging existing platforms and their roadmaps, companies can enhance their agility and speed of implementation, says Chaplin. This approach allows for a greater emphasis on building from proven solutions rather than creating from scratch, ultimately facilitating quicker adaptations to market demands.Data and Customer FocusAs companies increasingly focus on digital transformation, data-driven decision-making and improving customer engagement, they look to consultancies for help.Our data engineering practice will play a central role in helping businesses migrate from legacy systems to the cloud, a significant challenge for many organizations as they modernize their analytical workloads, says Alex Mazanov, CEO at full service consulting firm T1A. By 2025, we anticipate an even greater demand for scalable, cloud-based data architectures capable of handling vast amounts of real-time data. Many organizations are moving away from outdated legacy systems, such as SAS, to modern cloud platforms like Databricks.Continued data explosion, combined with AI advances, is pushing companies to modernize their data infrastructure.Businesses are increasingly challenged to make faster, smarter decisions, and well provide the tools and expertise to architect solutions that scale with their needs, ensuring data is a true asset rather than a burden, says Mazanov. Additionally, transitioning to open-source platforms and government-compliant technologies will help businesses stay agile, cost-efficient and aligned with regulatory demands.AI is also becoming more prevalent in CRM scenarios because it increases productivity, reduces costs, and helps maximize customer lifetime value. Specifically, they want to enhance loyalty programs, improve customer retention and use data analytics to predict behavior across the entire customer lifecycle.Optimizing the customer journey will continue to be crucial in 2025, as businesses will increasingly focus on maximizing customer lifetime value [using] advanced tools and strategies to improve every touchpoint in the customer journey, says Mazanov. Many companies struggle to optimize this.Finally, process intelligence will be even more critical by 2025, as companies continue to streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and cut costs in an increasingly competitive market. AI and machine learning will be used to automate and optimize business processes. As industries move toward hyper-automation, Mazanov says clients will need to become more agile and efficient.Organizations are constantly seeking ways to reduce operational costs while improving efficiency, he says. By 2025, companies will face rising expectations to do more with less, and process intelligence will be a vital tool to achieve this. Our solutions will focus on creating smarter, more efficient workflows, powered by AI to reduce manual tasks and human error.Stephen Senterfit, SmartbridgeMany organizations are experiencing the dichotomy of being challenged by the complexity of their data and needing real-time insights. Meanwhile, customer expectations continue to grow.[Our relationship with clients [is] evolving from being a service provider to a strategic partner. By 2025, we anticipate playing a more consultative role, helping clients not just implement technology but also reimagine their business models around data and AI, says Mazanov. Well be focused on long-term partnerships, co-creating innovative solutions that align with their broader business strategy.Get Help When You Need ItCompanies have many different reasons for seeking outside assistance. Sometimes the engagement is tactical and sometimes its strategic. The latter is becoming more common because it drives more value.One of the least valuable engagements is hiring a consultancy to solve a problem without internal involvement. When the consultants conclude their arrangement, considerable valuable knowledge may be lost. Working as a partner results in greater transparency and continuity.One benefit of using consultants, not mentioned above but critically important, is insight clients may lack, such as having a deep understanding of how emerging technology is utilized in the clients particular industry and whats worked best for other industries and why, which can result in important insights and innovations. They also need to understand the clients business goals so that IT implementations deliver business value.