📈 The New Shape of Software: What H1 2025 Tells Us About the Future of IT

Businesses are investing in tech again, citizen developers, software world is adopting to a new playbook and more...

In the first half of 2025, the global tech industry sent a clear message: we’re back to growing—but not how we used to. The rebound is strong, but not chaotic. Investment is booming, but more strategic. And for those building software—developers, software houses, and product owners—the ground is shifting under their feet. From AI-assisted coding to the death of classic outsourcing, here’s what’s changing, and why it matters.

But first…

Our latest interview

What started as a conversation about best EdTech quickly unfolded into something much deeper: a reflection on what it means to teach, to parent, and to rethink education from the ground up.

The World Is Spending—Smartly

Gartner reports that global IT spending is up nearly 10%, reaching $5.61 trillion this year. Europe is keeping pace with a record 8.7% growth, while Poland's ICT sector grew to about 74 billion PLN. The takeaway? Businesses are investing in tech again—but it’s not a free-for-all.

Three areas dominate:

• Data center systems (+23.2%): Driven by the hunger for AI infrastructure.

• Software (+14.2%): Cloud-native, GenAI, and no-code platforms are booming.

• IT services (+9%): Managed contracts and specialized solutions are taking over.

For software creators, this means two things: infrastructure is no longer a background concern, and software isn’t just eating the world—it’s being rearchitected by it.

What Developers Are Actually Building

Software development today is no longer just about code. The very fabric of how we build and ship applications is being rewoven.

Six key megatrends define 2025:

1. AI-assisted coding: Tools like Copilot X aren’t gimmicks—they’re becoming team members. In Poland, 30% of dev teams already use AI for refactoring and test generation.

2. Low-/No-Code: Over 70% of new apps now use LC/NC components. Software houses are monetizing integration and leading “fusion teams” of pro and citizen developers.

3. Cloud-native & Edge: Kubernetes is the new normal. Edge computing is moving from buzzword to IoT reality.

4. Cybersecurity-by-design: Security is now a presales requirement, especially in Europe where NIS2, DORA, and the EU AI Act are reshaping expectations.

5. Sustainability: Clients are asking about the carbon footprint of your code. Green coding is entering procurement checklists.

6. Developer Experience (DX): Forget table football and free lunches—developers care more about better tooling, stable platforms, and flexible work models.

For software teams, this isn’t just a list of trends—it’s a new playbook. Adopting even one of these shifts could mean the difference between surviving and thriving in the new IT economy.

Not Everything Is Rosy

Even with growth, the industry faces serious pressure:

• Hiring remains cautious: Job postings up 21%, but actual hires only rose 8%.

• Margins are tight: Clients still expect 2023’s discount prices despite rising wages (+7%).

• Talent gaps: Poland could lack 150,000 specialists in AI, cloud security, and sustainability by 2027.

To compete, software houses need more than code—they need strategy.

Software is no longer just a service—it’s a system of value creation that spans compliance, sustainability, automation, and user experience. Whether you’re a developer, PM, CTO, or agency owner, the industry is moving faster than ever. But with the right bets, it's never been more exciting to build.

Now's the time to decide: Will you stay a code factory—or become a strategic partner in the next wave of digital transformation?

On our blog

1. Why the Best EdTech Is Invisible — And What Homeschooling Can Teach the System
   Lessons from Marcin Demkowicz: father of eight, founder of ShareTheBoard, and quiet reformer of education.

2. From Mad Men to EdTech: Why a Creative Director Left Advertising to Reinvent Learning
   “I loved the people. I loved the culture. I loved the creative challenges.”

3. Savior or Saboteur? Rethinking Role of AI in the Education Crisis
   AI has entered the classroom — whether we’re ready or not. From personalized learning plans to automated lesson generation, tools like ChatGPT and EditAI are being hailed as revolutionary.