While the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are behind us, the lessons about adaptability, technology, and resilience remain relevant. Sanitising, maintaining social distance, and wearing masks are now part of our collective memory, and vaccination remains central to public health. As we embark on this “remote year,” I invite you to reflect on how these lessons continue to shape our lives. Yes, the term "remote" continues to shape how we work, study, and shop in 2025. From home offices and co-working spaces to remote islands, we now work, learn, and shop from nearly anywhere, thanks to the digital revolution.

This year, remote work, study, and commerce have become even more entrenched, largely due to Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to Gartner's 2024 report, 56% of companies worldwide have adopted either fully remote or hybrid models, with AI-driven tools enhancing productivity and enabling flexible work environments. Platforms like Asana, Trello, and Microsoft Teams are more than just digital office spaces; they help streamline operations, automate routine tasks, and foster virtual collaboration across time zones.

Global giants like Microsoft, Twitter, and Dropbox have embraced AI to support remote management, while a Stanford University study shows that AI-assisted remote workers are 17% more productive due to optimised schedules and reduced interruptions. AI now plays an essential role, supporting everything from team communication to project management and data analysis.

Across Asia, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in India aims for 75% of its workforce to work remotely by 2025, using AI tools to manage productivity and maintain customer service standards. Meanwhile, Japan’s Hitachi employs AI to track employee engagement remotely, enhancing efficiency even with decentralised teams. In the United States, tech giant Salesforce operates a “work-from-anywhere” model, leveraging AI to analyse employee performance and enhance customer interactions through intelligent chatbots. Shopify personalises the shopping experience for millions of customers while its workforce remains fully remote, relying on AI to automate many of its operations.

In Latin America, freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr enable a new generation of remote workers to deliver services faster and more efficiently. AI-powered tools for design, writing, and customer service create economic opportunities for freelancers in Brazil, Mexico, and beyond. AI is reshaping education as well. Adaptive learning platforms like Coursera and edX use machine learning algorithms to tailor courses to each student’s progress, ensuring a more personalised experience. AI-driven virtual reality (VR) courses and digital tutors, like those at Stanford, allow real-time interaction and guidance, even for remote learners.

By 2024, over 300 million students were enrolled in massive open online courses (MOOCs), with AI streamlining assessments and providing feedback. In Kenya, platforms like Eneza Education deliver tailored educational content through mobile apps, reaching students in remote areas and transforming access to quality education. The e-commerce sector, still flourishing since the pandemic, is thriving more than ever in 2025, thanks to AI-driven enhancements. Global e-commerce sales reached $6.4 trillion in 2024, with AI optimising every aspect from personalised recommendations to inventory management.

China, which accounts for over half of global e-commerce, is pioneering AI-driven live-stream shopping. Sellers can now analyse customer data in real time, tailoring their sales pitches for each viewer. In the U.S., Amazon has automated up to 90% of its order fulfilment with AI, revolutionising warehousing and customer service. AI also powers B2B e-commerce, enabling companies to predict inventory needs, analyse consumer behaviour, and respond instantly to market trends. From streamlining supply chains to enhancing customer satisfaction, AI-driven tools help businesses stay agile and efficient.

In 2025, AI and telecommuting are reshaping traditional work dynamics. Physical commuting is optional for many, with AI enhancing virtual meetings, real-time transcription, smart scheduling, and cross-time-zone collaboration. AI platforms like Zoom, Slack, and Google Workspace have evolved, enabling seamless remote work. In Europe, Finland and the Netherlands lead the way in remote work adoption. Dutch companies use AI for performance tracking and engagement metrics, keeping remote teams connected. Finland’s "Work from Anywhere" policies support employees’ work-life balance, aided by AI-driven stress monitoring and mental health tools.

For those in journalism, marketing, and even architecture, AI has expanded possibilities. For instance, I continue to write articles from my rural home in Africa using AI-powered research tools, enhancing productivity while meeting deadlines. These tools are indispensable, automating tasks that once took hours to complete. The shift to remote work has transformed our approach to productivity, work-life balance, and collaboration. Experts predict that by 2025, over 70% of jobs worldwide will be remote-capable, with AI playing a key role. Whether you’re a freelance designer, a teacher, or a corporate leader, AI tools now support nearly every stage of work.

This AI-powered flexibility enables workers to prioritise creativity and productivity over location. AI-driven tools, from project management to virtual collaboration, continue to free up time for strategic and creative endeavours while automating routine tasks. Remote work and AI present new opportunities for innovation and efficiency in the digital era. With AI at the helm, organisations can adapt faster, operate smarter, and employees can work more flexibly, leading to improved quality of life and expanded economic opportunities. As we embark on 2025, the future of work, education, and commerce looks bright—digital, decentralised, and driven by AI.