## What Is Open Source Software?

Open source has long since ceased to be an exclusive environment for enthusiasts and student hackathons. Today, open source is the foundation of the infrastructure that powers the largest cloud services, artificial intelligence systems, financial solutions, and even government platforms.

It is not just a convenient format - it is a strategic decision. Both for businesses and government agencies.

Open source often offers an unobvious advantage: freedom. The ability not to be tied to one vendor. Control the development of technology. Move faster than your competitors.

If you are a manager or a decision-maker in a company, you should understand how open source works and why it is valuable not only for engineers but also for the business as a whole.

Unlike proprietary (closed) software, open source does not require expensive licences or customisation restrictions. This gives product development teams the freedom to launch MVPs faster, test hypotheses, and change the architecture. In critical systems, it is also a matter of trust and security: you know exactly how the code works and who worked on it.

## How Open Source Software Works

Open source is all about collaboration. Code is stored on public repositories such as GitHub or GitLab. It can be reviewed, commented on, and improved by engineers from all over the world. Each change is recorded, checked in, and then either accepted into the main branch or rejected with arguments. It's very similar to peer review in science, only faster and more practical.

In open source projects, there are maintainers - those who maintain the product, approve changes, and set the direction. This doesn't mean chaos - on the contrary, in many projects, the processes are better organised than in some corporate teams.

What's important: businesses can either use open source projects without changes or create their own forks (code branches) and adapt solutions to their internal needs. In the corporate sector, this provides tremendous flexibility: your engineers can quickly adapt systems to current tasks - from changing the API structure to integrating with an ML model or an internal database.

## Benefits of Open Source Software for Business

For businesses, open source is not just about being free. It's about speed, control, and long-term savings.

1. Full transparency. You can see how the system works. You can evaluate the quality of the code, security, and understand the architecture - without guesswork and black boxes. This is critical for financial, medical, or governmental decisions.

2. Flexibility. No need to wait for the vendor to release an update. The team can independently change the functionality, optimise processes, or integrate a new module. This is especially valuable in a fast-paced environment, such as retail or logistics.

3. More secure architecture. Contrary to popular myth, open source solutions can be more secure than proprietary ones. A large number of participants check the code and fix vulnerabilities, often faster than vendors.

4. Long-term savings. Initial integration may require investment, but then there are minimal costs for licences, scaling, or adaptation to new conditions.

5. Community. You are not alone. Your team can get support, experience of other developers, and ready-made solutions from many countries around the world. This speeds up product development and reduces technical risks.

## Challenges and Risks of Open Source Software

Open source gives freedom, but it also comes with responsibility. Businesses should understand not only the benefits but also the limitations of this approach.

1. Lack of official technical support. If something goes wrong, you won't be able to quickly call a call centre. The company either needs to have a strong internal technical team or cooperate with partners who can take care of it.

2. Choosing among thousands of projects. There are often several open source solutions for the same task. Not all of them are stable or actively supported. You need technical expertise to distinguish a live project from an outdated one.

3. Legal nuances. Licences like GPL, MIT, or Apache have their limitations. Some of them require you to open the code of your product if you modify it. This should be taken into account before launching the project.

4. Customisation costs. The software itself is free, but its integration, adaptation, and support require time and resources. It is not always cheaper than a closed off-the-shelf solution.

5. The human factor. Open source projects are sometimes created and managed by individual enthusiasts or small teams. If the project leader stops supporting it, there will be no updates. And the business will have to look for an alternative or take over support.

## Popular Examples of Open Source Software

![Image from Michalsons](img/imgonline-com-ua-dexifrszxoee6inwx.jpg "Image from Michalsons")

Image from [Michalsons](https://www.michalsons.com/blog/important-software-own-or-license/10969)



Open source has long ceased to be "pure enthusiasm" - today it is a fundamental tool used by global corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, and independent developers. Many of them are industry standards.

### Linux - The operating system that runs the Internet

What it is: A free and open-source Unix-like operating system. It has dozens of distributions, from Ubuntu and Fedora to Red Hat and Arch Linux.

Who uses it:

* Google (Gmail and Android servers are also based on Linux)
* Amazon Web Services
* NASA
* CERN
* Banking sector (due to security and stability)

What it replaces: Windows Server, macOS Server

Advantages: control, free licence, stability, secure architecture

Disadvantages: requires more technical knowledge for administration

### WordPress - The engine of 40% of websites in the world

What it is: An open source CMS for creating websites of any type - blogs, online stores, corporate portals.

Who uses it:

* TechCrunch
* Bloomberg Professional
* BBC America
* The Walt Disney Company (several projects)

What it replaces: Wix, Squarespace, Webflow

Advantages: hundreds of thousands of plugins, themes, and extensions. You can customise everything from SEO to email newsletters

Disadvantages: requires maintenance (but it makes the site more flexible)

### Mozilla Firefox - The browser that doesn't follow you

What it is: A free and open-source browser developed by the Mozilla Foundation.

Who uses it:

* Journalists, governments, and private companies - for privacy reasons
* Available on Linux, Windows, macOS

What it replaces: Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge

Advantages: minimal tracking, extensions without data collection

Fact: Firefox was the first to introduce private mode and tracker blocking

### Blender - Free 3D studio for everyone

What it is: An open source platform for 3D modelling, animation, rendering, VFX and even video editing.

Who uses it:

* Netflix (in animation production)
* Ubisoft.
* NASA for 3D visualisation

What it replaces: Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D

Advantages: zero price, regular updates, training resources

Fact: Blender is funded by Epic Games, NVIDIA, AMD, Unity

### LibreOffice - A subscription-free alternative to Office

What it is: An open source office suite: Writer (texts), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), etc.

Who uses it:

* Universities, schools, government agencies
* NGOs that cannot afford paid packages

What it replaces: Microsoft Office, Google Docs

Advantages: full offline work, support for all formats

Disadvantages: slightly less user-friendly interface, fewer integrations

### PostgreSQL / MySQL - Reliability in data storage

What it is: The most popular open-source databases in the world.

PostgreSQL: Strong in complex queries, transactional processing

MySQL: Simple, stable, ideal for websites

Who uses it:

* Instagram (PostgreSQL)
* Facebook (MySQL)
* TripAdvisor
* Spotify

What it replaces: Oracle DB, Microsoft SQL Server

Advantages: free licence, scalability, large community

Disadvantages: less developed support for complex business processes (in MySQL)

### TensorFlow - Open source for machine learning

What it is: A framework for building ML/AI models, supported by Google.

Who uses it:

* Google Search, Google Translate
* Airbus (flight analysis)
* PayPal (anti-fraud)
* Airbnb (recommendations)

What it replaces: IBM Watson Studio, Azure Machine Learning, Amazon SageMaker

Advantages: free licence, scalability, Python support, active ecosystem

Fact: TensorFlow is the basis of many Google AI services

![Open source software vs. Proprietary software: What to choose](img/снимок-экрана-2025-06-25-180246.jpg "Open source software vs. Proprietary software: What to choose")

Open source is not just an alternative to commercial products. It has been one of the main drivers of technological progress over the past 20 years. The reasons are practical.

1. Open source accelerates development. Thousands of developers around the world see the code, test it, and suggest improvements. This creates the effect of a shared brain: problems are found faster, solutions appear earlier.

2. Research institutes and businesses work together. Many breakthrough technologies (e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch, Kubernetes) have emerged as open source projects. The academic community publishes ideas, and engineers build tools that can be immediately applied in practice.

3. Rapid prototyping. For start-ups or R&D departments, the use of open source allows them to launch an MVP in weeks, not months. The platform is already available - you just need to adapt it to your task.

4. Open standards instead of vendor lock-in. If a solution is built on an open stack, it is easier to scale, integrate, or migrate. This gives businesses flexibility and independence.

5. Community as a value. When you work with open source software, you are not alone. There are forums, documentation, and enthusiasts. This does not always replace support, but it definitely speeds up learning and solving common issues.

## Open Source vs. Proprietary Software

For business, the key question is not just ‘what is it?’ but ‘what to choose?’. Open source and proprietary software have their strengths and weaknesses. And it all depends on the task.

Access to the code vs. closed source. In the case of open source, you can see how the system works and what is happening in it. Proprietary solutions are a ‘black box’ where you trust the supplier.

Flexibility. Open source software can be modified, added functions, and adapted to your specifics. Proprietary software is often limited by the licence and does not allow you to change the internal logic.

Support. Commercial software usually has a 24/7 support service. In open source, there is a community, gits, and Stack Overflow. This is also support, but it works a little differently.

Security. Some companies are afraid of open source - they say someone can hack it. In fact, transparency often means more eyes on problems and faster fixes. But it's important how actively the project is supported.

Cost. Open source is conditionally free. But if you need customisation, integration, or technical support, you'll still need resources. Proprietary software includes this in the contract.

### Does ‘free’ mean ‘unsupported’?

Many people still associate the word ‘open source’ with a lone enthusiast writing something at home - and if a problem arises, there is nowhere to turn for help. This is one of the biggest myths. In reality, open source products are often not driven by a single person, but by entire communities, companies, and even commercial services.

Many popular open source solutions are supported by companies that specialise in commercial support. For example, Red Hat is building a business on this: they don't sell Linux because it's open source, but they sell its support, certification, updates, and infrastructure. The user always has a choice: either to figure it out on their own, or to pay and have guarantees - just like with any tool.

And then there is the community. Famous projects live an active life on GitHub, forums, Discord, and Reddit. Sometimes the community will answer your question faster than the support of a large paid product. And certainly in more detail.

### Why tech giants are investing in open source

Google, Meta, Microsoft are not just users of open source. They are its active participants. TensorFlow, Kubernetes, PyTorch, VS Code - all these products are open source, and they have become the basis for many services that we use every day.

The reason is simple: it's profitable. Open source means faster development speeds, better quality due to feedback, and flexibility that is difficult to get in closed ecosystems. It's also a matter of reputation. When a company opens up a piece of code, it demonstrates its confidence, openness, and technological maturity.

By investing in open source, companies don't just give something away for free. They build ecosystems. They attract talent. They strengthen their products.

## Where open source is heading in 2025

Open source has long ceased to be an ‘alternative’. In the field of artificial intelligence, it has become the foundation. The most powerful frameworks, from Hugging Face to Llama, are open source. The same is true for blockchain, government platforms, and educational systems.

A new concept is emerging - digital sovereignty. This is when a state or company controls not only the data but also the code that runs everything. And open source is the only real way here.

We are now seeing schools switching to Linux. Universities are creating their own educational platforms. How governments are building infrastructure on open source so as not to depend on monopolies. And this is just the beginning.

### Why open source will remain for a long time

Open source is not a fashion. It is a response to the demands of the times: the need for transparency, control, and freedom.

For business, it means flexibility and independence. For developers, it means rapid growth and an open environment. For society, it is a tool for development, education and security.

Open source is here to stay because it works. It is simple. Effective. Open.

What's better to choose: open source software or proprietary software? Learn more in our latest article!

What is open source software and why does it matter in 2025?

With landmark initiatives announced to forge new frontiers in Europe’s digital sovereignty, including the €200bn AI pledge and unprecedented emphasis on quantum, cloud, semiconductors and data storage, a sense of urgency is sweeping across the continent to reimagine the status quo and reshape critical tech infrastructures.

Perfectly timed to harness Europe’s inherent innovation prowess and catapult its position among leading digital economies is [GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything](https://event.gitex-europe.com/visitor-registration/?utm_source=thecymes&utm_medium=mediapartner&utm_campaign=20250428-gitexeurope25-visitors-partner) (21-23 May, Messe Berlin). The world’s third largest economy and host nation for GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything, Germany’s role as the European economic and technology chieftain comes into sharp focus, as transatlantic tensions ramp up in the race for global digital and AI leadership. Germany’s ICT sector is projected to reach €232.8bn in 2025 (Statista).

![](img/europe-s-largest-inaugural-tech-startups-and-digital-investment-event-will-converge-the-region-s-most-innovative-startups-scaleups-smes-and-unicorns.jpg)

GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything, now emerging as Europe’s largest inaugural tech, startup and digital investment event, is organised by KAOUN International and hosted in partnership with the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology, and the European Innovation Council (EIC). 

Franziska Giffey, Mayor of Berlin and Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises said: “Partnering with one of the largest tech and startup global events and hosting the debut of GITEX EUROPE in Berlin strengthens our commitment to solidifying Germany’s position as a global magnet for investment and frontier-pushing technologies, spearheading Europe’s edge in the next digital decade.”

## Global Tech Openly Engages for Cross-Border, Cross-Industry Partnerships

The momentous first edition brings together over 1,400 big tech enterprises, startups and SMEs, including platinum sponsors AWS and IBM, alongside Cisco, Cloudflare, Dell, Fortinet, Lenovo, NTT, Nutanix, Nvidia, Opswat, and SAP, to forge consensus in new partnerships and business outcomes for more agile, business-friendly, and responsible global digital systems. GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything shall present the most global tech and startup event with a sterling lineup of tech companies from over 100 countries and 34 European states, including tech pavilions from India, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, South Korea, UK, UAE, and more. 

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, organiser of GITEX worldwide, shared: “Amid the AI whirlwinds, there is a coordinated consensus and renewed urgency and unity across Europe to assert its digital sovereignty and leadership as a global innovation force. The region is paving its way as a centre-stage where AI, quantum and deep tech supremacy will be debated, developed, and scaled, and GITEX EUROPE strategically hosted in this vantage nexus and watershed time in history shall define Europe’s technological future in an epoch where leadership is earned through bold action and solidarity.”

## Influential Global Leaders Address EU’s Critical Tech Crossroads

Over 500 global speakers - nearly half addressing the tech community for the first time on a German tech stage – debate the new strategic priorities, from AI and quantum supremacy to cloud and data sovereignty. Among the global headliners are Geoffrey Hinton, Physics Nobel Laureate (2024), ‘Godfather of AI’, and the neural network pioneer who sparked worldwide debate by questioning AI consequences; Kai Wegner, Mayor of Berlin; H.E. Jelena Begović, Serbian Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation; António Henriques, CEO, Bison Bank; Jager McConnell, CEO, Crunchbase; Mark Surman, President, Mozilla; and Sandro Gianella, Head of Europe & Middle East Policy & Partnerships, OpenAI.

## Europe’s Boldest Moves in AI, Deep Tech & Quantum 

Europe is building its own AI frontier, focused on cross-sector use-cases, new investments and international partnerships. Ai Everything Europe, the event’s flagship AI showcase and conference, brings together one of the biggest convergences of AI architects, startups and investors presenting the full scale, depth and global influence of AI ecosystems. 

Influential AI experts address the sector’s most urgent topics on-stage, from EuroStack ambitions to tangible implications of agentic AI, with speakers including Martin Kon, President and COO, Cohere, the $5.5bn Canadian AI unicorn; Daniel Verten, Strategy Partner, Synthesia, $2.1bn UK-based unicorn backed by Nvidia; and Prof. Dr. Antonio Krueger, CEO of German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). Across the show-floor, diverse AI breakthroughs come to life, from Brazil’s Ubivis presenting smart factories powered by IoT and Digital Twins to Hexis’ AI-driven nutrition trusted by 500+ Olympic and elite athletes.

With nearly €7 billion in quantum investment, second only to China, Europe is accelerating its push for quantum leadership by 2030. GITEX Quantum Expo (GQX), in partnership with IBM and QuIC - Europe’s largest quantum industry association, dives into advanced quantum research and cross-industry impact with exclusive showcases and conferences. Speakers include Mira Wolf-Bauwens, Responsible Quantum Computing Lead, IBM Research, Switzerland; Joachim Mnich, Director of Research & Computing, CERN, Switzerland; Neil Abroug, Head of the French National Quantum Strategy, INRIA; and Jan Goetz, CEO & Co-Founder, IQM Quantum Computers, Finland.

Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow, Vice President Europe and Africa and Director IBM Research Zurich said: “IBM’s investments in AI and quantum computing directly reflect our commitment to Europe, and underscore the key role of collaboration with industry, academia and policymakers for a pan-European ecosystem. These state-of-the-art technologies and facilities will foster innovation, creating new opportunities for talent attraction and ensuring that Europe will always be at the forefront of global technological advancements.”

### Cyber Valley: Building A United Resilient Cyber Frontline 

With cloud breaches doubling and AI-driven attacks complicating the equation, threat response and cyber resilience is a core focus at the event. Fortinet, CrowdStrike, Kaspersky, Knowbe4, Proofpoint join a host of leading cyber companies exhibiting at GITEX Cyber Valley, alongside law enforcement leaders, global CISOs, and policymakers on-stage, including Brig. Gen. Dr. Volker Pötzsch, Chief of Division Cyber/IT & AI, Federal Ministry of Defence, Germany; H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government; Miguel De Bruycker, Managing Director General, Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium; and Ugo Vignolo Lutati, Group CISO, Prada Group.

### GITEX Green Impact: Advancing Climate Imperatives for a Sustainable Future

GITEX Green Impact connects the real accelerators of the green transition - innovators and investors - with over 100 startups and investors exploring how green hydrogen, bioenergy, and next-gen energy storage are moving from R&D to deployment. Key speakers are Gavin Towler, Chief Scientist for Sustainability Technologies & CTO, Honeywell; Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer, Airbus; Lisa Reehten, Managing Director, Bosch Climate Solutions; Massimo Falcioni, Chief Competitiveness Officer, Abu Dhabi Investment Office; and Mounir Benaija, CTO - EV & Charging Infrastructure, TotalEnergies. 

### Convening the Largest and Best Global Startup Ecosystem Amongst 60+ Nations 

GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything launches North Star Europe, the debut edition of the world’s largest startup event (Expand North Star), gathering over 750 startups and 20 global unicorns - Qonto, Flutterwave, reMarkable, TransferMate, Solarisbank AG, Bolt, Flix, and Glovo.

The event features a curated international collection of early and growth-stage startups from Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, UK, UAE and more. Among the top startups, Neurocast.ai (Netherlands) advancing AI-powered neurotech for Alzheimer’s research, CloudBees (Switzerland) - the delivery unicorn backed by Goldman Sachs, HSBC, and Lightspeed, and Semiqon (Finland), the world’s first CMOS transistor with the ability to perform in cryogenic conditions. 

Scouting new funding opportunities will be over 600 investors with $1tn assets under management (AUM), including Germany’s Earlybird VC, Austria’s SpeedInvest, Switzerland’s B2Venture, Estonia’s Startup Wise Guys, and USA’s SOSV. GITEX ScaleX launches as a first-of-its-kind growth platform for scale-ups and late-stage companies, in partnership with AWS. 

With SMEs making up 99% of European businesses, GITEX SMEDEX connects SMEs with international trade networks and investors, for funding, legal advisory and market access to scale innovations globally. Backed by EISMEA and ICC Digital Standards Initiative, the event features key SME ecosystem leaders advising on stage, including Milena Stoycheva, Chairperson of Board of Innovation, Ministry of Innovation and Growth, Bulgaria; and Oliver Grün, President, European Digital SME Alliance and BITMi; among others.

GITEX EUROPE is part of the GITEX global network tech and startup events, taking place in Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE. For more information, please visit: [www.gitex-europe.com](https://www.gitex-europe.com/?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=press-release&utm_campaign=announcement).

### About GITEX EUROPE

![](img/gitex-europe-x-ai-everything-2025-to-debut-from-21-23-may-at-messe-berlin-germany.jpg)

GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything 2025, Europe’s most global, collaborative, and cross-industry tech event, taking place from May 21–23, 2025, at Messe Berlin, Germany. Convening over 1,400 exhibiting enterprises, SMEs and startups from 100-plus countries, alongside over 500 expert speakers across AI, Deep Tech, Quantum, Cybersecurity, Connectivity, Smart Cities, Green Tech, and many more, GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything is advancing the continent’s digital future in partnership with the world. This inaugural edition is featuring the new SMEDEX, GITEX SCALEX, and GQX, and bringing to Germany the world’s largest and best-rated startup and investor event – North Star Europe. GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything is seamlessly connected with GITEX network of tech and startup events, taking place in Germany, Morocco, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, and the UAE. More information, please visit: [www.gitex-europe.com](https://www.gitex-europe.com/?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=press-release&utm_campaign=announcement)


Innovation, investment and government leaders set to meet at GITEX EUROPE x Ai Everything,  21-23 May, Messe Berlin, the continent’s largest inaugural tech, startup and digital investment event.

Reigniting an Open, Bold & Collaborative  European Digital Economy Amidst €200bn AI Ambitions

# IT education in 2025: 

Imagine this: you step into an elevator and find yourself standing next to the CEO of a successful startup. In those few seconds of ascent, he manages to tell you that the coolest feature of their product wasn't written by a prestigious university graduate, but by a self-taught developer who was working as a barista just six months ago. Sounds like a Silicon Valley screenplay? But this is the reality of the IT industry in 2025.

The tech world is changing at the speed of light, and traditional education can no longer keep up with the trends. Today, it's not about where you studied, but whether you can quickly adapt and master new skills. In this article, we'll explore which knowledge will become the gold standard in the coming years and how not to be left behind by the technological revolution.

## Artificial Intelligence: When robots become colleagues

If AI once seemed like something out of science fiction, in 2025 it has become as commonplace as morning coffee. Over 56 percent of machine learning engineers worldwide reported using these tools daily, while approximately 45 percent of data scientists also indicated daily usage. This isn't just statistics—it's a new reality where humans and machines work in tandem.

Moreover, the global machine learning market is growing steadily, projected to reach $113.10 billion in 2025 and further grow to $503.40 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 34.80%. Imagine that! What used to require months of development can now be done in weeks.

### Market statistics

![](img/аі-статистика-.jpg)

Sources: [Statista](https://www.itransition.com/machine-learning/statistics), [Elite Brains](https://www.elitebrains.com/blog/aI-generated-code-statistics-2025), [Eluminous Technologies](https://eluminoustechnologies.com/blog/artificial-intelligence-statistics/)

Interestingly, AI isn't just for data scientists in white coats hunched over algorithms. This technology penetrates all areas of IT:

Backend developers integrate AI functionality directly into products. Remember how primitive website search used to be? Now it can understand context and even user mood.

UI/UX designers create interfaces that "talk" to users. Chatbots have stopped being annoying robots and turned into smart assistants.

Marketers use AI for content personalization to a level that once seemed magical. The system can predict which headline a specific user will prefer.

By 2025, AI might eliminate 85 million jobs but create 97 million new ones, resulting in a net gain of 12 million jobs. The IT sector can gain the most economic benefit from AI implementation among all industries—$400–700 billion/year. That's more than the GDP of many countries!

## Blockchain: From hype to real value

### Technology evolution

Remember 2017, when everyone talked about blockchain but few understood what it was? Eight years have passed, and the situation has changed dramatically. 60% of Fortune 500 companies are now actively working on blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) initiatives. This marks a sharp rise from just 47% one year ago.

Today, blockchain isn't just about cryptocurrencies. It's the foundation for transparent voting, supply chain tracking, document authenticity verification, and much more.

### Market prospects

The growth figures are staggering: the global blockchain technology market will grow from $17.5 billion in 2025 to more than $825 billion in 2034. That's a nearly 50-fold increase in nine years!

### Who can profit from this trend?

Blockchain developers create smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps). It's like being an architect during a construction boom.

Logistics and supply chain specialists use blockchain to track goods in real-time. Imagine: you scan a QR code on a coffee package and see the entire journey of the beans from plantation to your cup.

Marketers launch NFT campaigns and manage digital communities. This is a new level of audience engagement.

## Cybersecurity: A war that never ends

### Scale of the threat

Every 39 seconds, somewhere in the world, a cyberattack attempt occurs. Daily, more than 30,000 cyberattacks happen on websites worldwide. It's like an invisible war that goes on 24/7.

The economic damage is impressive: cybercrimes will cost the world more than $10.5 trillion per year by mid-2025. For comparison, this is more than the entire global income from drug trafficking, arms dealing, and human trafficking combined.

### Cybersecurity market statistics

![](img/кибербезпека.jpg)

## Cloud technologies

### Total migration

More than 94% of companies worldwide use cloud services. Practically every business has at least one cloud platform in their IT infrastructure, and most use multi-cloud strategies.

It's like switching from owning a car to car-sharing—more convenient, cheaper, more efficient.

### Cloud economics

The figures are impressive: the global cloud technology market exceeded $680 billion in 2024, and by 2027 it's expected to reach more than $947 billion.

### Investment boom

80% of companies plan to increase cloud technology budgets throughout 2025. Main investments will go to developing new cloud applications, analytics, data storage, and cloud security.

### Cloud market statistics

![](img/cloud-tech.jpg)

## UI/UX Design

### Impact on profit

Here's a fact that will make any businessman think: companies that invest in quality UX design get an average of 32% more profit than competitors with worse user experience.

### Cause of failures

70% of failures of new applications and websites happen due to poor UX design, not due to lack of functionality or technical errors. It's like building a beautiful house but forgetting to make a convenient entrance.

### UI/UX impact statistics

![](img/uxui-.jpg)

### Interdisciplinarity

UI/UX design is no longer the prerogative of designers only. This knowledge is increasingly mastered by product managers, business analysts, frontend developers, QA engineers, and even marketers. This helps them better understand user needs and create truly in-demand products.

## DevOps

## Age of automation

83% of IT companies worldwide have implemented DevOps practices. This isn't just a trend—it's a necessity for survival in a world of fast releases and high stability requirements.

Kubernetes is used in more than 80% of containerized projects. It's like universal packaging for applications—works equally well everywhere.

### DevOps statistics

![](img/devops.jpg)

## Game development 

### Growing market

The global video game market exceeded $221 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $300+ billion by 2026. This is more than the film and music industries combined.

### Mobile revolution

More than 55% of the game industry's revenue comes from mobile games. Pocket devices have become the planet's main gaming platform.

### Unity — King of engines

Unity is the world's most popular game engine, used by more than 60% of mobile and VR game developers.

### Interdisciplinary team

Game projects unite specialists from different IT directions: from UI/UX designers to DevOps engineers, from analysts to marketers. It's like the film industry—you need a whole army of professionals to create one product.

## Practical tips: How to start your journey

### 1. Determine your starting point

Honestly assess your current skills. Don't try to learn everything at once—that's the path to burnout.

### 2. Choose one main trend

It's better to become an expert in one area than a dilettante in all. Focus on what genuinely interests you.

### 3. Start with free resources

The internet is full of quality free courses. YouTube, Coursera, edX—start with them before investing in paid education.

### 4. Practice on real projects

Theory without practice is dead weight. Create pet projects, participate in open source, make something with your hands.

### 5. Communicate with the community

Join professional communities, attend meetups, participate in conferences. Networking is an investment in your career.

### 6. Follow trends

Subscribe to specialized blogs, listen to podcasts, read industry news. IT changes quickly—it's important to stay informed.

Learning in IT today isn't about one narrow specialization, but about flexibility, the ability to work at the intersection of directions, and understanding the product creation process comprehensively.

The most effective specialists are those who constantly keep their finger on the pulse of trends and develop related skills. This doesn't mean you need to know everything about everything. It means you need to be ready to learn for life.

Choose a direction that inspires you and learn systematically. Now is the perfect time to become a competitive specialist in the world of technology.

Remember: in IT there's no second place. There are only those who keep up with changes and those who are left behind. Which group do you want to be in?

Discover the latest IT eduction trends with The Cymes!

IT trends in 2025: What to learn today?

# The Rise of Digital Twins: When AI Builds a Second You

The line between real life and virtual life is getting thinner by the day. And one of the clearest signs of this shift? The rise of digital twins.

These aren’t just robotic replicas or cold simulations anymore. We’re talking about fully AI-powered versions of ourselves — personalities that can chat, think, make decisions, and even learn like we do. It’s one of the fastest-growing ideas in tech, and it’s shaking up everything from how we work and learn to how we remember people after they’re gone. If it sounds like science fiction, that’s because it used to be. But not anymore.

So, what exactly are digital twins? How are they made with AI? And what happens when your “other self” starts becoming smarter, more responsive, and maybe even more useful than the real you?

Let’s break it down.

## What Are Digital Twins?

![](img/the-concept-of-digital-twin-digital-twins-in-healthcare-are-virtual-models-that.png)

Digital twins started out in a pretty different place — engineering and manufacturing. Back in the early 2000s, companies like NASA and General Electric developed virtual models of machines so they could run simulations, predict breakdowns, and optimize performance without having to test the real thing.

The core idea was simple: create a digital version of something physical, feed it real-world data, and use it to make smarter decisions. That concept worked so well that it spread fast — to cities, hospitals, and now, people.

Today, we’re seeing digital twins of patients used in healthcare to test treatments. City planners use twin models of urban areas to understand traffic patterns, energy usage, and pollution in real time. And increasingly, we’re seeing digital twins applied on a personal level — from AI bots that mimic your writing style to virtual assistants that can finish your thoughts.

## How AI Is Powering Human-Like Twins

What’s making these digital twins feel less like software and more like people? The short answer: AI.

Artificial intelligence — especially through tools like natural language processing and machine learning — can now analyze mountains of data. It picks up how you speak, how you write, your favorite phrases, your emotional tone, and even the choices you’re likely to make in certain situations.

For example, apps like Replika offer users an AI companion that mimics conversation and learns from every chat to become more emotionally intelligent over time. In the world of video and media, tools like Synthesia or Hour One let people clone their face and voice to produce ultra-realistic video content — without ever standing in front of a camera.

There’s also a more emotional side to this. Services like HereAfter AI help people record interviews and memories, then use AI to turn those recordings into interactive chatbots. Families can then talk to a digital version of a loved one who’s passed away — keeping their voice, personality, and stories alive.

And this is just the beginning. These tools are becoming cheaper, faster, and easier to use — making digital twin technology accessible to everyday people, not just engineers or researchers.

## What About the Ethics?

As with any powerful technology, digital twins come with serious ethical baggage. For starters, there’s the question of consent. Can someone create a digital version of you using your public data — your photos, your tweets, your videos? And who owns that replica: you, the person who made it, or the platform that hosts it?

There’s also a big issue with privacy. These systems often rely on deeply personal data — things you’ve said, done, or even forgotten. If that data is misused or leaked, the consequences could be serious. Not only could it harm your reputation, but it could create confusion between the real you and the digital you.

Deepfakes are already raising alarms around trust and manipulation. As digital twins become more convincing, it becomes harder to tell what's real — which could be dangerous in politics, media, and personal relationships.

And here's the biggest philosophical question: if your twin starts acting on your behalf — sending emails, giving advice, making decisions — where do you end and it begin?

## The Psychological Side of Digital Twins

![](img/dto-reflections.jpg)

It’s not just about technology. It’s about people — how we think, feel, and relate to the world around us. And when you bring digital twins into that space, things get complicated.

On the positive side, AI twins can provide real emotional support. People going through grief might find comfort in talking to an AI version of someone they’ve lost. Teens or adults struggling with mental health might benefit from a chatbot that listens, responds with empathy, and never judges.

They can also be used in education or training, offering personalized guidance based on a learner’s needs, style, and pace.

But there are downsides. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people who spent a lot of time interacting with AI companions formed emotional bonds — sometimes to the point where the line between real and artificial blurred. That kind of attachment could lead to confusion, disconnection from real relationships, or even dependency.

And what happens when your digital twin starts acting in ways that don’t align with who you are anymore? AI models evolve based on data — but people change based on life. The two versions could drift apart.

## How Digital Twins Could Change Society

Zooming out, the rise of digital twins could reshape society itself.

In classrooms, we might see students learning from virtual tutors that match their exact learning style and even mirror their voice. In the workplace, companies could use digital twins of top employees to train new hires or test strategies. In the dating world, apps might someday let you interact with AI versions of potential matches before you ever meet in person.

Even social media could change. Instead of static profiles, we might soon interact with dynamic, always-online versions of ourselves — ones that post, reply, and share ideas even while we sleep.

This raises big questions. Will people start building relationships with AI personalities instead of real humans? Will we trust digital twins more than each other? Could this improve social connection — or completely disrupt it?

## What’s Coming Next

If the last few years are any clue, the future of digital twins is moving fast.

Tech giants like Meta are already working on AI personalities for virtual reality spaces. Apple is exploring more personalized digital assistants. And new startups are racing to create "mind files" — massive databases of a person's thoughts, memories, and preferences — that could someday fuel posthumous digital lives.

We might see digital twins that understand our emotions and adjust their behavior in real time. We could have career versions of ourselves that sit in virtual meetings, negotiate deals, and file reports. Our AI twins might eventually live across all our devices — phones, cars, smart homes, and even metaverse avatars — becoming a seamless second self.

It’s no longer a question of if this will happen. It’s a question of how far it will go — and whether we’re prepared for what it means.

## In Summary

Digital twins started out as tools for engineers. But today, they’re becoming deeply personal. They can talk like us, think like us, and sometimes even feel like us. Thanks to AI, your digital self might soon be just as real as your physical one — at least in the eyes of those who interact with it.

This technology opens up a world of possibilities — and challenges. It forces us to rethink identity, ethics, relationships, and even what it means to be human. And while there’s no single right answer, one thing’s for sure: digital twins are here, and they’re not going away.

![](img/1_ezmmpeycnnhmwjwlspffia.png)

## Think About This

What would your digital twin be like? Would it reflect who you are right now — or evolve into someone new?

As this space grows, take a moment to reflect. Are you ready to share your mind with an algorithm? And more importantly — who gets to shape that version of you?

If you’re curious, keep exploring. There’s a lot more to learn about the future of digital identity — and the double life we’re all about to live.


Learn how digital twins change our lives!

Digital twins: How AI is creating alternative personalities — and what that means for us

WE INVITE ALL TALENTED AUTHORS TO JOIN OUR COMMUNITY🤗 ADD YOUR PUBLICATION AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP TO A WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE!