Monthly Highlights, August 2025

Monthly Highlights, August 2025

Which frontier technologies will shape global business in 2025? The latest McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook explores 13 transformative tech trends poised to redefine industries in the year ahead. McKinsey’s Lareina Yee, Michael Chui, Roger Roberts, and Sven Smit provide insights on use cases, talent dynamics, and what companies need to know now. Our second feature zooms in on artificial intelligence—a foundational amplifier behind every other tech trend—and outlines how organizations can fast-track AI adoption through rapid learning, clear incentives, and a culture of high standards. Other highlights include the following topics:

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a CEO playbook for developing next-gen leaders

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how to master strategy amid uncertainty

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developing an effective digital upskilling strategy

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navigating shifting tariff and trade policies

Editor’s choice

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McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2025

Which frontier technologies matter most for companies in 2025? Our annual tech trends report highlights the latest technology breakthroughs, talent trends, use cases, and their potential impact on companies across sectors.

Explore all 13 trends

The learning organization: How to accelerate AI adoption

The rapid rise of gen AI highlights a workplace reality: Front lines often embrace new tech much faster than managers do. Here’s how to overcome organizational blocks to transformative ideas.

Unlock strategies to accelerate innovation

THIS MONTH’s HIGHLIGHTS

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Scaling the 21st-century leadership factory

CEOs and their teams should be laser focused on developing next-generation leaders with the unique skills and capabilities to perform and thrive in challenging times. Here is a playbook for doing that.
Take a step back

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How Strategy Champions win

Only one in five companies believe they have high-quality strategy. What do such Strategy Champions have in common? They excel at designing bold strategies—and are even better at mobilizing their execution.
Master the craft

Two colleagues, a young Black man and an Asian woman, work side by side at a computer, intently looking at the screen.

We’re all techies now: Digital skill building for the future

Digital upskilling is not just for tech teams anymore—it can help all employees thrive and make companies more competitive. Here’s how your organization can get started.
5 steps to begin investing

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Tariffs and trade: Preparing for the unpredictable

The global trade system is rife with uncertainty—but businesses can’t afford to remain frozen. Here’s how leaders can take action with tariff and trade policies in flux.
How to make nerve centers work

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Why learning to code still matters

Are AI capabilities making learning to code obsolete? Not according to the leaders at Kode With Klossy, who say that coding can lead to many career skills that apply across industries.
Shape an equitable tech future

HR Monitor 2025

A state-of-the-art survey unveils widespread workforce and HR trends, serving as a comprehensive benchmark for the European HR landscape and offering key insights for HR leaders.
Build a people plan

ALSO New

How AI could reshape the economics of the asset management industry

How might tariffs affect the energy transition?

Specialty risk: The next frontier of value-based care

How buyers can successfully navigate integrating a carve-out

The future of AI in the insurance industry

The stable door opens: How tokenized cash enables next-gen payments

Keep it simple and keep moving: An interview with Claudia Toussaint

Winning the automotive software development race

What the latest trends in sporting goods mean for brands

Accelerating the delivery of tech-focused capital projects

John Stankey talks about leaning into the long term at AT&T

Digital twins: Boosting ROI of government infrastructure investments

Investing in the manufacturing workforce to accelerate productivity

Accelerating impact from day one: A guide for new CROs

OUT NOW

What to read next: McKinsey’s 2025 annual book recommendations

Each year, we invite a diverse group of leaders to share the books that have resonated with them—or ones they can’t wait to read. This year’s list includes over 90 titles, from timely insights to timeless fiction.

Your bookshelf is waiting 

Special features

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McKinsey Explainers

Find direct answers to complex questions, backed by McKinsey’s expert insights.
Learn more

McKinsey Themes

Browse our essential reading on the topics that matter.
Get up to speed

McKinsey on Lives & Legacies

Monthly obituaries from business and society, highlighting the lasting legacies of executives and leaders from around the globe.
Explore the latest obituaries

Mind the Gap

Biweekly curated reads on Gen Z in the workplace.
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McKinsey Classics

Most attempts at brainstorming are doomed. To generate better ideas—and boost the odds that your organization will act on them—start by asking better questions. Read our 2011 classic “Seven steps to better brainstorming” to learn more.
Rewind

The Weekend Read

Curated picks for your downtime .
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— Edited by Esther Chung, editor, Atlanta

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