AI supplies a temporary revenue boost that allows providers to kick the can of true innovation down the road for now. However, the momentum surrounding AI is also slowing down. Enterprises are having difficulty identifying effective business cases, and we are moving past the initial excitement to the practical challenges of successfully integrating AI into operations.
The future of cloud innovation isn’t dead; it’s just getting harder. That might not be a bad thing. It forces us to focus on what really matters, to solve real business problems rather than chase the next shiny object. In an industry often driven by hype, a return to fundamentals might be precisely what we need.
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the winners won’t simply adopt the latest cloud features. They’ll understand how to combine cloud services, internal innovation, and business strategy to create real value. The innovation wall isn’t the end of the cloud story. Cloud providers need to reinvest the billions they’re extracting from enterprises into innovations that can truly change the game. It’s your game to lose.