Chinese New Year of the Snake
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As 2025 unfolds, we are at Year of the snake-The symbol of adaptability and resilience. These qualities, often symbolized by the snake’s ability to shed its skin and start over, will be key to navigating the challenges and achieving the opportunities that lie ahead. Born under this sign, I have always been encouraged by the dual nature of the snake – both feared and admired. Embracing this spirit of transformation will be vital as we navigate the complexity of the future.
2024 was an important year for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Groundbreaking genetic models exploded onto the scene, sparking global conversations about its transformative potential. These developments have reshaped the technology world creating exciting new opportunities for both businesses and individuals to thrive in this dynamic new world.
According to Statisticalthe AI market has grown explosively, hitting over $184 billion in 2024—a jump of about $50 billion from the previous year. And there’s more growth ahead, with projections suggesting the market could top $826 billion by 2030.
So throughout 2025, it’s time to move on from simply exploring AI to making it work for us. Last year’s excitement set the stage, and now it’s about turning AI’s potential into real results. Just as a snake sheds its skin to start over, for our businesses to thrive, we need to leave old habits behind and embrace AI-driven solutions.
The wisdom of the serpent: a masterclass in adaptation
Perched in a variety of environments – from barren deserts to lush rainforests – the snake embodies adaptability. This parallel resonates deeply in today’s dynamic market. Businesses must embrace new technologies and strategies, such as AI-based solutions, to meet evolving customer needs and outperform competitors. It’s not just about survival. It is about thriving in various scenarios.
Take BMW For example, which was initially based on traditional fixed maintenance programs. This approach often led to unexpected downtime and wasted resources. The introduction of AI has changed the game, enabling predictive maintenance through sensors and data analysis. This shift has kept BMW’s production lines running more smoothly, reducing unexpected interruptions and even supporting sustainability goals. Combining these efforts, their AI system helps prevent approximately 500 minutes of disruption per year in vehicle assembly.
Adaptation doesn’t stop there—it extends to how companies manage change. My colleague Jorrit explains how AI is now crucial to understanding employee strengths and creating customized learning experiences, moving away from the usual one-size-fits-all approach. After all, people are the real drivers of change. Applying AI to change management strategies helps empower employees along the transformation journey.
Focused development: Driving progress with AI
The focused movement of a snake is a reminder of the importance of clear goals and directed progress. In the context of AI, this means reassessing your goals and using technology to accelerate your journey.
This understanding is embraced by forward-thinking companies Airlines. Recognizing the need to enhance customer satisfaction, Delta sought to integrate customer-facing perspectives into its management structure.
Using AI, they successfully filled 25% of corporate and management positions with people from customer-facing roles. This approach not only improves the company’s employee experience, but also delights customers and enhances the organization’s competitive advantage.
Through this strategy, Delta Airlines ensures that its management team is equipped with first-hand customer knowledge, ultimately promoting a customer-centric corporate environment.
Year of the Snake: Finally towards success
The Year of the Snake offers an exciting metaphor for businesses: they must cultivate both the snake’s agility in adapting to rapid change and its laser focus on executing precise strategies to thrive in the AI-powered age. From revolutionizing maintenance practices at BMW to reshaping talent acquisition at Delta Airlines, AI isn’t just a technological advance—it’s a catalyst for achieving strategic goals and gaining competitive advantage.
The era of AI exploration enables execution. Those who, like the snake, seamlessly navigate change, adapt with agility and strike with precision to not only survive but thrive in this new technological frontier, driving innovation and achieving extraordinary results in an increasingly AI-driven world .
