Technology

Tech Trends: What’s Overhyped and What’s Underrated?

By Brett Farmiloe

Posted on February 15, 2025

Tech Trends: What’s Overhyped and What’s Underrated?

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, discerning the hype from the game-changers is crucial. This article cuts through the noise, offering clear-eyed expert insights into the technology trends that truly matter. From the promise of GenAI and edge computing to the realistic capabilities of low/no code solutions, navigate the tech terrain with confidence.

GenAI Overhyped Short Term, Underrated Long Term
Edge Computing Deserves More Attention
Low/No Code Solutions Overrated, Linux Underrated
Advanced Thermal Management Is Underrated
AI-Generated Video Creation Is Underrated
XR Beyond Gaming Deserves More Attention
AI-Generated Content Overhyped, Privacy-First Tech Underrated
Generative AI Overhyped for Autonomous Code Generation
AI-Driven Automation for SMEs Is Underrated
Blockchain Beyond Cryptocurrency Is Underrated
Digital Twins for IT Infrastructure Is Underrated
Generative AI Overhyped, Quantum Computing Underrated
Web3 Is Overrated and Clunky
Data Privacy as a Core Business Driver
AI-Based Website Builders Are Underrated
Voice Assistants Are Overrated
AI Governance Is the Most Underrated Trend
AI in Healthcare Deserves More Attention
Quantum Computing Is Underrated

GenAI Overhyped Short Term, Underrated Long Term

In my perspective, the current tech trend of Generative AI (GenAI), while rightfully generating excitement, is somewhat overhyped in its immediate potential to completely revolutionize software development, but significantly underrated in its long-term impact on enhancing productivity and quality.

Here’s my reasoning:

Overhyped (short term): We’re seeing a lot of demos and flashy applications, which is fantastic. However, the current generation of GenAI models still struggles with consistency, accuracy, and understanding complex, nuanced requirements. They are excellent at generating code snippets, but integrating these into a full-fledged project, ensuring maintainability, security, and robustness, still requires significant human oversight. The “AI coding my entire application” scenario is still some time away. Also, the ethical considerations and potential biases in GenAI outputs need careful attention and robust solutions.

Underrated (long term): This is where the real potential lies. GenAI is not going to replace developers anytime soon, but it will augment their abilities significantly. Think of it as having a super-powered pair programmer who can help you with:

Rapid Prototyping: Quickly generate initial versions of features or entire modules.
Code Completion and Suggestion: Boosting developer speed and reducing typos.
Test Case Generation: Creating a wider range of test cases, improving software quality.
Documentation: Automating the generation of documentation, freeing up developer time.
Bug Detection: Potentially identifying subtle bugs and vulnerabilities.

This amplification effect is what’s truly transformative. Developers can focus on higher-level design, architecture, and problem-solving, while GenAI handles the more repetitive and tedious tasks. This leads to increased productivity, faster development cycles, and potentially higher quality software.

The “AI won’t replace you, but a person using AI will” adage is spot on. Those who embrace and learn to leverage these tools will have a significant advantage. AI is creating new opportunities and possibilities, not just in software development, but across industries. Ignoring this trend is a risk to survival. It’s not about fearing AI, but understanding it, adapting to it, and using it as an ally to enhance our own capabilities. The future belongs to those who can effectively collaborate with AI, not those who try to compete against it.

Ritesh Joshi, CTO, Let Set Go

Edge Computing Deserves More Attention

Edge computing is one of those trends that deserves far more attention than it gets. People quickly default to cloud-based solutions for almost everything, which makes sense in many cases, but there are clear situations where edge computing provides a better, more reliable approach.

Take industrial automation, for instance. I worked on a project for a company running multiple factories across different regions. They wanted real-time analytics to optimize machine performance and detect anomalies before they caused downtime. Some suggested a cloud-only architecture, but we recognized the issues immediately: limited connectivity in certain areas, latency that could interfere with time-sensitive operations, and the sheer volume of raw data being pushed to the cloud.

Instead, we deployed edge devices to handle local data processing and analytics. These devices could operate independently of the network, ensuring that connectivity issues didn’t delay critical decisions. The cloud was still used for aggregating data across locations and building long-term insights. This hybrid approach reduced bandwidth costs, improved reliability, and provided real-time responses when it mattered most.

On the other hand, let’s talk about overhyped trends like blockchain. It’s a solid technology for certain use cases, but I’ve seen companies try to force it into areas where it’s completely unnecessary. For example, a private blockchain for internal business processes, where a centralized database would have been simpler, faster, and easier to maintain. Over-engineering with technology like this often creates more problems than it solves.

So, edge computing’s lack of hype doesn’t diminish its value. It solves real, practical problems like low-latency requirements, unreliable network conditions, or meeting local regulatory requirements for data handling. As a tech lead, my focus is always on results. The right technology is the one that works best for the situation, not the one generating the most buzz. That’s where professionalism comes in—choosing what works, not what trends.

Volodymyr Murzak, Solution architect / Tech lead, Syndicode

Low/No Code Solutions Overrated, Linux Underrated

Low/no-code tools are often hyped as the “next big thing” to empower non-developers and streamline development, but in reality, they fall short for anything beyond the simplest use cases. They work well for simple applications, but once you need scalability or advanced features, these tools expose their weaknesses. You quickly hit a point where the platform can’t support what you need, and workarounds become a frustrating mess. Low-code solutions have a narrow scope in terms of customization, which often requires developers to dig deep into the codebase or work around platform limitations.

Many low-code platforms are proprietary, meaning once you start building on them, it’s difficult to migrate to another tool or platform. To rightly point it out, what seems simple in the short term becomes complex when it’s time to debug, optimize, or update the system. Many non-developers won’t be able to maintain these tools in the long run, which leads to a situation where a technical team has to step in to fix what was supposed to be a “simple” solution.

From my experience, low/no-code is often best for prototyping or very basic applications, but it doesn’t hold up for anything that requires customization, scalability, or long-term maintenance. I’ve seen numerous projects abandon these platforms or face huge technical debt later down the line.

Linux is often underrated or underappreciated in some circles outside the hardcore tech community, despite being the backbone of the majority of enterprise infrastructures, cloud environments, and web services. It’s lightweight, efficient, and handles high-traffic workloads far better than other operating systems. For anyone managing serious infrastructure, Linux is a no-brainer.

It also offers unmatched flexibility and security. You have full control over configurations, allowing for optimizations that just aren’t possible with proprietary systems. On top of that, the open-source community provides constant improvements and free resources, making Linux the best choice for reliable and secure servers.

Vijay Kumar, Technology – Lead Manager, Versatile Commerce

Advanced Thermal Management Is Underrated

One underrated technology trend is advanced thermal management, which is crucial for data centers, consumer electronics, EV batteries, and next-generation nuclear reactors. While innovation often focuses on increasing processing power and energy storage, efficient heat dissipation is a key challenge affecting performance, safety, and sustainability.

In data centers, cooling accounts for nearly 40% of total energy consumption, with traditional air cooling struggling to keep pace with increasing power density. Liquid cooling, phase-change materials, and nanofluid-based solutions could significantly reduce energy use, improve performance, and lower operational costs.

Similarly, in smartphones and laptops, overheating leads to thermal throttling, reduced battery life, and performance degradation. Innovations like graphene-based thermal pads and vapor chambers can improve heat dissipation, allowing for faster, more efficient devices.

For EV batteries, poor heat dissipation affects charging speed, lifespan, and safety. I’ve learned through my research in heat exchanger optimization for battery and electronics cooling that nanofluid-based cooling systems can dramatically improve thermal performance, helping extend battery durability and enable faster charging without overheating risks.

In nuclear reactors, next-generation designs like small modular reactors (SMRs) and molten salt reactors require better heat transfer mechanisms to enhance efficiency and safety. My work on optimized heat exchangers and advanced cooling techniques has allowed me to identify key trends and the areas where advancements would be most impactful, and aligns with efforts to develop more effective reactor cooling systems, potentially enabling higher power output and improved scalability.

Conversely, an overhyped trend is the push for ultra-fast processing and high-energy storage without fully addressing thermal constraints. Whether in data centers, EVs, or nuclear reactors, inefficient cooling leads to higher costs, reduced performance, and potential safety risks.

By focusing on thermal innovations, industries can unlock the next generation of high-performance, energy-efficient technologies. In the U.S. and globally, better cooling solutions could drive major advancements in energy sustainability, cost reduction, and technological progress.

Diogo Perdigão, Researcher, University of Minho

AI-Generated Video Creation Is Underrated

I think AI generated video creation is one of the most underrated trends in tech right now. While AI in general gets a lot of attention, the conversation is mostly dominated by large language models and chatbots. But when it comes to video creation, we’re barely scratching the surface of its potential.

We’ve built an AI platform that can take something as simple as a URL and transform it into a fully produced, high quality video ad in seconds, no expensive production crews, no time-consuming editing. With this kind of tool, AI now has the ability to repurpose existing content into engaging, dynamic video formats and even personalize ads in real-time based on audience behavior. This shift is game changing for marketers, yet AI driven video creation remains far less discussed than text-based AI applications.

The hesitation, I believe, comes from deeply ingrained habits. Businesses still see video as something exclusive to creative teams and professional editors. But AI is reshaping that reality in the same way Canva made design accessible to non-designers. The companies that recognize this early are going to gain an enormous competitive advantage, especially in digital advertising, where pace is everything.

Right now, AI generated video isn’t as flashy as conversational AI, which is why it’s flying under the radar. But from a business impact perspective, it’s arguably more powerful. Written content can drive engagement, but video has always been the most effective format because it drives conversions, tells compelling stories, and keeps audiences engaged in ways that text alone can’t. And now, AI is making that level of engagement accessible at scale. We’re seeing brands and even influencers use our AI video creation to move faster than ever, with testing, iterating, and launching campaigns in real-time instead of waiting weeks for production.

Anbang Xu, Founder, JoggAI

XR Beyond Gaming Deserves More Attention

One of the most underrated tech trends today is XR (Extended Reality), which includes Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). While many associate XR primarily with gaming and entertainment, its true potential extends far beyond that.

XR has the power to redefine industries by improving learning, training, and operational efficiency. For example, safety and emergency response simulations, manufacturing facility onboarding, and medical training simulations are already demonstrating XR’s ability to create immersive, high-impact learning environments. In industrial settings, AR overlays can enhance real-world equipment, reducing errors and increasing productivity.

Even for everyday users, XR is reshaping how we work, communicate, and stay active—from virtual collaboration tools to fitness experiences that don’t require a gym. Yet, these practical applications are often overshadowed by the hype around more consumer-friendly entertainment use cases.

As adoption increases, I believe XR will become an essential tool for education, enterprise solutions, and productivity—deserving far more attention than it currently receives.

Nikita Larushkin, VR engineer, Vention

AI-Generated Content Overhyped, Privacy-First Tech Underrated

AI-generated content is wildly overhyped right now. Don’t get me wrong—AI is powerful, but the idea that you can just pump out thousands of blog posts, automate creativity, and dominate search rankings? That’s a bit fantasyland. What people miss is that Google’s getting better at detecting low-quality, fluff-filled content, even if it’s AI-written. I’ve seen sites balloon in traffic, then crash and burn within months because they prioritized quantity over value. AI is a tool, not a magic bullet, and if you’re not fact-checking, adding unique insights, or editing like a human, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

On the flip side, underrated? I’d say privacy-first tech like zero-party data collection. With cookies on their way out and privacy regulations tightening, companies that invest in building trust and gathering data directly from their users (think surveys, preference centers) are positioning themselves for long-term success. Most businesses are too focused on short-term acquisition, but those who get ahead of this shift will have a competitive edge when third-party tracking collapses.

Stephan Baum, Managing Director, Brussobaum

Generative AI Overhyped for Autonomous Code Generation

In my assessment, the current hype around generative AI for autonomous code generation is overstated, particularly regarding claims that it will completely automate software development in the near term.

While AI coding assistants have made remarkable progress in helping developers with tasks like code completion, documentation, and debugging, the vision of fully autonomous programming remains far more complex than many predictions suggest. The fundamental challenge lies in the gap between generating syntactically correct code and creating reliable, maintainable software systems that genuinely solve business problems.

Several key factors support this perspective. First, software development requires a deep understanding of business context, user needs, and system requirements—aspects that current AI models struggle to fully grasp. Second, the critical tasks of architecture design, security considerations, and performance optimization still heavily depend on human expertise and judgment. Third, the maintenance and evolution of complex systems require an understanding of long-term implications that go beyond pattern recognition in code.

Furthermore, real-world software development is inherently collaborative, involving stakeholder communication, trade-off decisions, and adaptation to changing requirements. While AI tools are valuable allies in increasing developer productivity, they are better positioned as augmentation tools rather than full replacements for human developers.

A more realistic trajectory is the continued evolution of AI as a sophisticated development partner, enhancing rather than replacing human capabilities. This perspective suggests focusing on how AI can best complement human developers’ strengths rather than pursuing complete automation.

Brian Tham, AI Research Student

AI-Driven Automation for SMEs Is Underrated

One tech trend that I believe is underrated is AI-driven automation for SMEs. While AI gets plenty of attention in big tech and larger companies, many small and medium-sized businesses still view it as complex, expensive, or something only large corporations can leverage. In reality, AI-powered automation is more accessible than ever and can be a game changer for efficiency and growth, as well as a way to “level the playing field a little.”

The misconception is that AI replaces people, but in truth, it enhances productivity by automating repetitive tasks, allowing teams to focus on high-value work. SMEs can use AI-driven tools for lead qualification, customer support, inventory management, and smart scheduling, reducing workload while improving accuracy and decision-making.

Despite this, many hesitate, fearing implementation complexity or high costs, when in fact, scalable AI solutions exist that require minimal investment.

As AI continues to evolve, the businesses that embrace it early, leveraging automation for smarter workflows, will gain a competitive edge. The real disruptors won’t just be large corporations but the agile SMEs that integrate AI efficiently and strategically. The question is, will they recognize the opportunity before their competitors do?

Christopher Wells, General Manager

Blockchain Beyond Cryptocurrency Is Underrated

One current tech trend that I believe is underrated is the potential of blockchain technology to revolutionize digital ownership and verification. In my experience, many people view blockchain as solely related to cryptocurrency, but its applications extend far beyond that. I’ve seen firsthand how blockchain can provide a secure, decentralized, and transparent way to prove ownership of digital files and text, giving creators and innovators more control over their work.

By leveraging blockchain, individuals and businesses can safeguard their digital creations through verification certificates, ensuring that their intellectual property is protected and easily verifiable. This technology has the potential to transform industries such as content creation, social media, and e-learning, yet it often flies under the radar. My advice to readers is to explore the possibilities of blockchain beyond cryptocurrency and consider how it can be used to secure and verify digital ownership in their own industries.

Michael Sumner, Founder and CEO, ScoreDetect.com

Digital Twins for IT Infrastructure Is Underrated

I think the concept of applying digital twins to IT infrastructure is underrated. Digital twins have been primarily used in manufacturing but I think there’s potential for it in IT services as well, especially for remote support and systems integration.

The biggest advantage of it and why I think it is so underrated is how effectively it can support proactive optimization. To illustrate, imagine having a virtual replica of your entire IT ecosystem where you can simulate and monitor your operations in real-time, identify bottlenecks, and predict system failures before they become disastrous. A holistic view of this kind can do wonders in potentially reducing downtime and improving your service reliability.

Not to mention that having a digital twin of your IT infrastructure can allow you to future-proof your operations. A dynamic model of your IT environment can mean better troubleshooting and strategic planning allowing you to adapt quicker to emerging challenges.

Matthew Franzyshen, Business Development Manager, Ascendant Technologies, Inc.

Generative AI Overhyped, Quantum Computing Underrated

While artificial intelligence (AI) is an important and promising technology with huge potential, its applications and development are often presented as more revolutionary than they really are in some aspects. Generative models, like GPT, are capable of generating text, images, and other forms of content, but their capabilities are limited by context and proper settings.

Why it’s overhyped:

Context and accuracy limitations: Generative models may seem impressive, but they can make mistakes, not always understand context, or be limited in high-tech tasks.

Risk of over-expenditure of resources: The idea that these technologies can replace practically everything is often presented, but they require significant data processing and integration for real effect.

Quantum computing is a technology still in the development stage, but its potential is enormous for scientific and technical fields. It promises much greater power for solving complex problems, such as molecular modeling for medicine or optimizing logistical processes.

Why it’s underrated:

Limited communication about its progress: While many suspect that quantum computing has a future, it hasn’t gained as much popularity as AI due to numerous technical barriers.

High cost and complexity of implementation: Quantum computers are still limited in availability and application, but due to their potential, they could radically change many sectors, from cryptography to pharmaceuticals.

Both of these trends have their place in the technological landscape, but in some cases, they are either overestimated or underestimated when it comes to their real development and readiness for widespread use.

Stephan Blagovisnyy, Owner, TOKA

Web3 Is Overrated and Clunky

Web3 is one of those buzzwords that gets thrown around as if it’s the inevitable future of the internet, but in reality, it is massively overrated. The idea of a decentralized web sounds great, no central authority, user owned data, and financial transactions without middlemen. But the execution? Clunky, expensive, and nowhere near mass adoption.

Most Web3 applications still rely on centralized services like OpenSea and Binance, and the user experience is a nightmare. Wallet setups, gas fees, and smart contract risks make it inaccessible to the average person. If Web3 were really taking off, we would see mainstream businesses and consumers adopting it at scale. Instead, it is mostly a playground for crypto enthusiasts, speculators, and a handful of developers forcing blockchain into use cases that do not need it.

The hype also ignores the fact that decentralization is not a silver bullet. True decentralization means giving up convenience, speed, and security, things most users are not willing to trade. Decentralized apps are often slower and less efficient than their Web2 counterparts, and governance by token holders just shifts power from corporations to a different group of elites, early investors and whales.

The promise of a new, fairer internet falls apart when you realize it is still controlled by the people who got in early and bought up all the tokens. Web3 is not the next evolution of the internet, it is a niche experiment that has not proven it can solve real world problems better than existing systems.

Al Aminour Rashid, Software Developer, Gulf State Software

Data Privacy as a Core Business Driver

One highly underrated tech trend is data privacy as a core business driver, rather than just a compliance requirement. While AI, blockchain, and the metaverse dominate headlines, privacy-first technology is quietly shaping the future of digital trust and customer relationships. Companies that proactively embed privacy into their products, through automated consent management, real-time data governance, and privacy-enhancing technologies, are setting themselves up for long-term success.

Many still see privacy as a regulatory burden rather than an opportunity. However, with increasing consumer awareness, stricter global regulations, and high-profile data breaches, businesses that prioritize transparent and user-centric data practices will build stronger customer loyalty and reduce compliance risks. The shift from a reactive to a privacy-by-design approach is where real innovation is happening, yet it remains undervalued in the broader tech conversation.

Vivek Vaidya, Co-Founder & CTO, Ketch

AI-Based Website Builders Are Underrated

In my opinion, AI-based website builders are quite underrated. How interesting it is to get a website ready with just a prompt with all the pages and sections live within a few minutes.

While many dismiss them as “too simplistic” or lacking the customization of traditional website builders, their potential is significant.

These tools can democratize website creation, empowering individuals and small businesses with limited technical expertise to establish a strong online presence quickly and affordably.

While they may not replace the need for custom-built websites in all cases, AI-based website builders represent a valuable tool for a wide range of users.

Himanshu Sharma, Co-Founder & Lead SEO Specialist, Accrue SERP

Voice Assistants Are Overrated

One thing I find extremely overrated is voice assistants. Many people, especially in Western countries, have adopted Alexa in their homes and all iPhone users always have Siri available at hand. While the idea is attractive in theory, there is no voice assistant that is actually more beneficial than traditional interfaces. Like most AI models, they lack contextual understanding, so they often just can’t properly assist.

Plus, there have been privacy concerns with Alexa, for instance. And with Siri, it’s just frustrating because it’s so hard to actually get useful or at least accurate outputs from it. Sure, they work well with simple things like setting alarms or calling someone. But I think they’ve been hyped to the point that people believe they can enhance their lives in a major way. Unfortunately, we’re still very far from that and voice assistants have yet to prove their purpose.

Dmytro Tymoshenko, CEO, Noiz

AI Governance Is the Most Underrated Trend

AI governance is the most underrated trend in tech right now. For example, the recent OpenAI allegations against DeepSeek have everyone talking about the following:

A case of intellectual property theft?
A sign of the growing battle over AI control?
Is it just the beginning of a deeper power struggle?

But hardly anyone is talking about AI governance. In my view, tech has always been a battlefield of influence. It’s always:

Innovation vs. regulation
Openness vs. secrecy

If OpenAI’s allegations are true, we could be witnessing the first steps toward a major shift in AI governance. This shift could reshape the future of AI and how tech companies approach AI development. That’s why I believe we must start talking about governance frameworks that will be essential to ensure fair competition, prevent intellectual property theft, and protect against misuse. And this will happen with AI governance.

Mukul Juneja, Director & CTO, Muoro

AI in Healthcare Deserves More Attention

I think one current tech trend that’s definitely underrated is the use of AI in healthcare. People talk a lot about general AI advancements, but the specific ways it’s transforming healthcare don’t always get the spotlight they deserve. Technologies like predictive analytics and personalized medicine are making a huge difference in how we approach patient care. For instance, AI can help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately and tailor treatments to individual patients, which could lead to better outcomes.

Despite its potential, discussions often lean toward flashy topics like automation or general AI capabilities, overlooking the real-life benefits in healthcare. It’s fascinating to see how these innovations can streamline processes and improve health services, and I believe if we highlighted these applications more, we’d see faster adoption and better overall care for patients.

Oleksandr Abharian, CEO, IT-Magic

Quantum Computing Is Underrated

I believe, “Quantum Computing” is one of the superior technologies which is very underrated although it has enormous potential in shaping the world with new dimensions. Despite the ambiguous technology challenges, the strengths of Quantum computing are often either overlooked or misunderstood. While the technology has garnered substantial attention and investment, including a $10 billion commitment from China alone, the public discourse often swings between over-optimism and undue skepticism, missing the nuanced reality of its potential and limitations.

Quantum computing holds immense long-term potential, but the technology today faces significant challenges. Current systems are highly error-prone, require extreme cooling, and can only maintain quantum states for short durations. These technical hurdles, combined with high costs and limited accessibility, mean that practical, large-scale, and cost-effective quantum computers remain years away. As a result, the gap between potential and reality often leads to misaligned expectations about its near-term impact. In quantum computing, expectations often exceed reality. Experts are not prioritizing practical applications, and the focus remains on theoretical advancements rather than developments that deliver long-term, tangible value.

Pavan Kumar Adepu, Software Development Manager, Amazon