As we approach 2025, the rush for digital transformation, driven by security threats, cost-cutting and investor pressures, has created major usability risks for businesses and governments worldwide.

The speed of digital transformation and technological implementation has left platforms and online user interfaces, both poorly designed and tested, with serious consequences for customer service, acquisition, and retention. In 2024, businesses faced significant challenges: accountancy software vendors lost customers due to cybersecurity breaches and poor integration with tax departments…. while advertising platforms became overly complex, pushing advertisers to competitors. 

Small businesses are struggling with digitized tax systems, multi-factor authentication hurdles, and the unrealistic demands of linking a single cell phone number to each individual, ignoring the reality of modern communication and the need to separate business from personal lives. 

Unless tech vendors and governments slow down their rollouts to allow for proper testing and user training, the world could face an explosive usability crisis in 2025.

The already evolving psychological strain on citizens and workers, coupled with significant financial losses for businesses, could lead to a profound and lasting negative impact on society.

About the Author

Deborah Collier is an influential strategic & ‘Futurist Leader’ with 30-years’ experience working across digital, technology, marketing and business. A digital, media and technology entrepreneur, described as a ‘global economic force’ as founder and president of industry’s global awarding body Digital Skills Authority. She is also a media CEO, and former non-executive director.

Listen to Future Dawned Podcast
Usability Focus Episode

Subscribe to NEW YouTube Channel
Subscribe to Futurist Leader (Deborah’s channel)