Our insights from the Global Technology Conference 2025 in Barcelona – organized by Baker Tilly International, in cooperation with Microsoft, CaseWare, and Gartner.
Here are a few insights that stuck with us:
Insight #1: ROI – Return on Investment is no longer enough.
Gartner shared a sharp, new perspective. When evaluating the benefits of AI integration, it's not just about ROI anymore. The new framework adds two more dimensions:
ROE – Return on Employee (how AI boosts people, not just profit)
ROF – Return on the Future (what long-term value you're actually building)
These new ways of analysing the impacts of AI reframes the conversation around impact and sustainability.
Insight #2: Environment management is evolving.
Microsoft suggested moving away from the one-size-fits-all Default Environment.
Instead, they propose designing for actual work realities:
Personal productivity environments
Department-level environments
It’s about giving teams the specific tools that they need to perform tasks – not just a generic and ineffective setup.
Insight #3: AI transformation isn't a switch – it’s a journey.
Microsoft mapped out a 3-phase process for the adoption of AI into business operations:
Humans assisted by agents – AI helps each employee work faster and smarter
Human-led agents – digital agents join as teammates, handling specific tasks
Human-led, agent-operated – humans set direction, AI agents run workflows
However your organisation uses AI right now, this gives a clear vision of what’s next.
Related content
