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- Secret CTO |🧩 Low-Code vs Custom: What's the Right Build for Your Team?
Secret CTO |🧩 Low-Code vs Custom: What's the Right Build for Your Team?
Plus: 🎯 How Microsoft Copilot transforms Edge into a voice-powered workhorse
Sophie Bruxner-Randall
July 31, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Welcome to Secret CTO, your go-to source for expert insights, strategies, and trends to empower your technology leadership.
The Big Picture 📸
AI INNOVATIONS
Artificial intelligence and quantum computing are at the forefront of transforming industries, notably in finance and healthcare, with major infrastructure investments from tech behemoths such as Microsoft and Amazon. These technologies promise to redefine capabilities, especially in data processing and analytics, enabling rapid advancements in areas like pharmaceuticals and logistics. Such changes are part of a broader shift towards sustainability, where eco-friendly innovations and digital transformations are becoming central pillars of business strategy.
TECH TRENDS
AI's role in 2025 is pivotal as it enhances operational efficiencies, particularly by integrating with IoT and blockchain, which could improve manufacturing and logistics efficiencies by up to 30%. This positions businesses that invest in AI talent and infrastructure to potentially reap considerable benefits. Industry giants like Google and Amazon are capitalising on consumer-oriented AI, such as Google's virtual try-on for clothing, indicating the broadened canvas for AI monetization, while Apple's innovations highlight shifts toward AI-driven mobile efficiency.
However, these advancements come amidst significant challenges. Ethical concerns, cybersecurity, and regulatory demands pose formidable barriers. The focus on green technology investment grows, seen in Tesla's and Amazon's initiatives, though regulatory scrutiny, particularly concerning antitrust issues, remains intense. With a market inclined towards sustainable innovations, the need for upskilling persists to bridge talent gaps, especially in quantum computing and AI fields. As mergers within the sector increase, balancing innovation with ethical governance emerges as an imperative for maintaining industry equilibrium and fostering growth.
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Tech Pulse 💓
AI INTEGRATION
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Agent to its macOS app, available for Plus subscribers, enhancing multitasking capabilities with advanced agentic skills. Though not yet available for Windows, Agent mode can operate seamlessly in the background to execute complex tasks using its own computational abilities. This advancement aids users in boosting productivity and managing large-scale projects efficiently.
TechRadar
SOFTWARE STRATEGY GUIDE
Low-code development accelerates application delivery by enabling non-technical users, posing a strategic decision for CTOs between it and custom software, which offers full ownership and long-term flexibility. With Gartner forecasting a $388.6 billion market for low-code platforms by 2030, this choice impacts budget, agility, and competitive positioning. Each approach suits different needs: low-code for standardised efficiency and rapid deployment, custom software for unique business solutions and ownership of intellectual property.
Baytech Consulting
AI BROWSER ADVANCEMENT
Microsoft's Copilot Mode transforms Edge into an AI-powered, voice-controlled browser that streamlines user tasks by understanding context across multiple tabs. This innovation presents opportunities for enhanced productivity and efficiency, especially valuable for CPOs looking to leverage AI for competitive advantage. Copilot also raises considerations about data security as it collects information to tailor user experiences.
TechRadar
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A publication from ClickZ Media’s Technology Media Division