A new white paper from the University of Phoenix dives deep into what the future of IT might actually look like, and it is based on real insights from the people working in the field. Titled The Future of IT: What IT Practitioners Predict Will Drive Career Opportunities and written by Dr. J.L. Graff, the report pulls from a 2025 survey of technology professionals. What it uncovers is a mix of optimism and pressure, where opportunity is high but the pace of change is leaving many workers struggling to keep up.
The good news is that most IT professionals still believe in the value of their field. According to the survey, 86 percent are optimistic about the future of information technology. More than half say they are very optimistic. But that confidence drops when it comes to keeping up with fast-moving trends. Nearly two out of three say they are not fully confident they will be able to keep up over the next five years.
Still, the industry is evolving and there are clear clues about where things are heading. IT professionals are paying close attention to where businesses are spending money. That means hot areas like generative AI, applied AI, and cybersecurity. Nearly half also say they see investment in cloud and edge computing. Some areas may be getting overlooked, though. Only 15 percent reported seeing investment in machine learning at an industrial scale. That could be a missed opportunity.
Certifications also matter more than many might think. While 94 percent of those surveyed believe certifications will help them stay competitive, less than half are actually pursuing them. Many are instead choosing self-study and online learning, which offer flexibility but may not always provide the same recognition.
Cybersecurity stands out as a long-term skill to focus on. Seventy-one percent of respondents say it is a key growth area. That beats out even AI and machine learning. While AI is getting all the headlines, many experts believe cybersecurity still holds more practical value in day-to-day IT roles.
That said, the excitement around AI is real. Ninety-eight percent believe AI will shape the future of the industry, and 88 percent think it will dominate. About 67 percent are interested in reskilling for AI-focused roles. But they are not naive about the risks. Seventy percent predict AI will take over tasks currently handled by data analysts, and many stress the need for strong human oversight to keep AI ethical and accountable.
One emerging area that might be flying under the radar is quantum computing. Forty-four percent believe it will disrupt traditional IT within ten years. The same number say it will become a dominant force. Yet only 21 percent currently see their company investing in it. That makes quantum a space to watch closely in the near future.
At the end of the day, IT professionals know that specializing in just one area is no longer enough. The future will reward those who build broad skill sets that span multiple areas, like AI, cybersecurity, and data analysis. These skills overlap and support one another, giving professionals more ways to grow and stay competitive.
The message is clear. The IT field is full of potential, but it demands constant learning and flexibility. Those who keep their skills sharp will not just survive. They will help shape what comes next.
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