Dear Friends of IAMOT,
I trust 2025 is treating you well so far!
As a global association, our community is well represented in both hemispheres. For many of you in the Southern Hemisphere, this is likely a time of sunny, summery days as you return from an extended holiday period. Meanwhile, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing a very different scene: shorter holidays, cold weather, and dark, wintry days. Regardless of your location, I hope you are reenergised and ready for a prosperous year ahead.
Over the holiday season, I focused on spending as much quality time with family as I could. One of the highlights was a movie my wife and I watch called 'True Spirit'. It shows the adventure and drama of 16-year-old Australian sailor Jessica Watson, who became the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe non-stop and unassisted. Jessica's determination, bravery and skills were impressive at such young age. Her parents' dilemma to approve and support her project, and the ability to deal with the media are also explored in the film.
I also took some time for reflection, reading, and considering the various global forecasts I encountered—especially their implications for business, technology, and sustainability. This year promises profound economic complexities and heightened geopolitical tensions, driven by trade disputes and shifting alliances.
What impact will Trump's proposed tariffs have on global trade and relations? Will other major economies adopt similar “America First” policies?
If they do, how should businesses adapt their technology development strategies to stay competitive?
Additionally, 2025 is expected to be a landmark year for AI research and development, with record-breaking investments likely to pour in worldwide. However, concerns over ethical issues remain as strong as ever, presenting challenges alongside the opportunities.
Key forecasts suggest that this will be an exciting yet challenging year, with difficulties in predicting developments across politics, economics, technology, sociocultural trends, and sustainability. In such complex and challenging year, embarking in new projects will demand significant courage and strong risk management skills. I believe these qualities will be crucial to succeed in 2025. Jessica Watson's voyage comes to mind again - it was daunting and fraught with risks, but in the end, she proved it was entirely worthwhile!
Good luck with your projects this year!
Wishing you all the best for a successful and fulfilling 2025!
Best wishes,
Dr. Breno Nunes, President of IAMOT
Aston Business School, UK
