2025: The year IT gets real about AI, Cost, and Value
We’ve been living in a world of AI hype. But 2025? This is the year that reality bites.
Flexera’s 2025 IT Priorities Report shows a clear direction of travel: AI is no longer a pilot project or a PowerPoint talking point. It’s the number one priority for IT leaders globally. But, alongside that shift, comes the pressure to prove its value - fast.
Here’s what stood out to us, and what we think our clients need to hear:
AI’s foot is on the gas - but so is the cost
74% of IT leaders say they’ll use more AI this year than last. That’s not surprising. What is surprising? Only 13% have prioritised cloud cost management (FinOps). With cloud being the engine behind AI, that’s like racing a Ferrari without checking the fuel gauge. Overspend is now standard: 22-25%, mostly on wasted IaaS, SaaS and security tools.
🧠 Our advice: You can't separate your AI strategy from your cost optimisation strategy. FinOps is no longer optional.
The talent gap is the real bottleneck
85% of leaders feel their org is technically ready for GenAI. But 90% admit their teams aren’t yet skilled enough to use it properly. That’s the killer stat. AI isn’t a plug-and-play solution. Without the right skills, the tech investment is just tech debt waiting to happen.
💡 Our advice: Invest in people before platforms. AI success is less about GPTs and more about your teams' readiness.
Innovation is up - but not always in the right places
93% of IT leaders say their organisations are becoming more innovative, but over half think it’s not in the areas that matter. Meanwhile, 42% say they’re too busy firefighting to focus on meaningful change.
🚨 Our advice: Innovation should be laser-focused. If it doesn’t support revenue, reduce cost, or strengthen resilience, it’s noise.
Microsoft still leads - but OpenAI has crashed the party
Microsoft continues to dominate the vendor landscape, thanks to Copilot and its OpenAI alliance. But the real story is this: OpenAI has come from nowhere to be in the top four vendors IT leaders plan to spend money with in 2025. This signals a massive pivot in how businesses think about where value lies.
⚙️ Our advice: Expect more disruption - look at DeepSeek already. Traditional vendor relationships will shift. Choose partners who can move as fast as the tech.
We’re at an inflection point
2024 was the year of AI experimentation. 2025 is the year of accountability. CIOs and CFOs alike are asking: Where’s the ROI? It’s not just about whether you’re using AI - it’s whether it’s making your business better.
📊 Our advice: Start defining success differently. Cost savings and revenue growth still matter - but so do agility, customer experience and operational resilience.
Final word: Strategy beats spend
Technology alone won’t win the game in 2025. A tight strategy—one that balances innovation with control, ambition with accountability - will. That’s where we come in. At Shaping Cloud, we exist to help organisations make confident, cost-aware decisions in complex IT landscapes.
If you’re serious about doing more with less, about integrating AI without losing control, and about turning IT from cost centre to value engine - let’s talk.