Snowflake recently launched their AI + Data Predictions 2025 report, in which top executives at the company shared what they think we can expect to see in enterprise AI this year.
As organizations begin to bring their AI proofs-of-concept into production, Snowflake CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy believes it’s time to move past the hype and start delivering on valuable AI use cases. “The hype cycle will continue, but for me, it’s a tale of two cities — one is Hype, and the other is Let’s Go Get Some Work Done,” he says.
As you look ahead at your 2025 data and AI strategy, get some perspective from these insightful predictions from Snowflake’s report.
Prediction: The next evolution in data platforms will focus on contextualizing data
Data platforms will need to become more sophisticated to meet the demands of modern AI. As Snowflake Co-Founder Benoit Dageville explains, the future lies in embedding a semantic layer directly into the data.
This layer will enable AI to interpret the meaning behind data without requiring developers to define it in every application. “The semantic layer is a critical aspect that needs to be pushed down close to the data so the AI can understand the nature of the data and do a much better job,” he says.
By improving the AI’s ability to understand context, organizations will build smarter and more efficient applications.
Prediction: With autonomous agents, the copilots become the pilots
The rise of autonomous agents will redefine what’s possible with AI. Dageville envisions tools that can take broad instructions and decompose them into detailed tasks managed by specialized assistants. These capabilities are already being developed with Snowflake Cortex and platforms like Streamlit.
Dageville highlights the transformative potential: “LLMs are a bicycle for the mind that will unlock creativity for things we haven’t even conceived of yet.” While true autonomy is still evolving, many foundational elements are already here.
Prediction: Business leaders (not just workers) will step up to the plate with AI adoption
AI’s transformative potential hinges on visionary leadership. According to Christian Kleinerman, Snowflake’s EVP of Product, managers need to elevate their teams’ productivity with AI while fostering responsible and secure adoption.
Kleinerman emphasizes the importance of reframing AI: “There’s a big opportunity to democratize AI by making it easier for less technical people to leverage, securely and responsibly, but it takes vision and leadership to get there.”
For leaders, success means treating AI as a valuable extension of the team.
Prediction: The security data lake will become essential to cybersecurity
In an era of escalating cyber threats, data lakes offer a scalable and cost-effective way to centralize security data and enable advanced analytics. By integrating diverse data sources, these lakes enhance threat detection, incident response, and long-term security planning.
Snowflake’s Head of Product Security, Anoosh Saboori, explains the growing interest: “It’s a question of cost and scale. The interest is driven by the greater trend in the market, which is to be able to prevent, detect, and respond to attacks when the amount of data involved is now much bigger.”
Prediction: AI will help marketers stretch their advertising dollars further
AI is poised to make advertising budgets more efficient by reducing waste and optimizing distribution. Bill Stratton, Global Head of Media, Entertainment, and Advertising at Snowflake, notes the experimental nature of the industry has helped accelerate AI adoption.
Stratton highlights the potential: “For every dollar that’s spent by a marketer, let’s say 60 cents goes to the actual distribution and optimization of marketing content across different channels. The remaining 40 cents is spent in the ecosystem between the seller and the buyer.” AI will reduce redundancies, allowing marketers to get more value from their budgets.
Prediction: Financial services organizations that can successfully operationalize AI will be the industry winners
The financial services industry is recalibrating its approach to AI, moving beyond experimentation to focus on measurable ROI. Rinesh Patel, Snowflake’s Global Head of Financial Services, underscores the importance of demonstrating tangible results.
“Boards don’t care about experiments; they care about profit sustainability,” Patel explains. Firms that effectively combine AI with a strong data strategy and a culture of innovation will gain a decisive edge.
Interested in learning more about AI strategies for financial services? Check out our webinar: Winning in the Age of Disruption: A 2025 Roadmap for Banks.
Prediction: Manufacturers will start to see AI usher in the fourth industrial revolution
AI will drive transformative change in manufacturing this year by enabling value-focused applications with measurable results. Tim Long, Global Head of Manufacturing at Snowflake, stresses the importance of a strategic, iterative approach to deploying AI.
Manufacturers who unify their data and leverage AI/ML solutions across factory networks will achieve true digital transformation. “That’s where we go from incremental efficiencies to true digital transformation,” Long says.
Prediction: Employees will have more time for imaginative thinking and creative problem-solving
As AI automates routine tasks, workers will be freed to focus on strategic, high-value activities. Snowflake CIO/CDO Sunny Bedi highlights this shift: “We’ll have more cycles to devote to being more imaginative and then applying AI to create those outcomes.”
This creative freedom is also great news for developer productivity. Devs will be able to spend less time on mundane coding activities and more time tackling complex challenges and shaping more strategic, innovative solutions for the business.
Your partner for Snowflake and AI
Read Snowflake’s full report for all their data and AI predictions and insights. And if you could use some expert help taking full advantage of the Snowflake platform and AI capabilities, Atrium’s SnowPros are here to help. Visit our Snowflake consulting services to learn more.