New Delhi: The year 2025 proved to be a watershed moment for artificial intelligence (AI). Aggressive announcements by major technology companies, next-generation models, and rapidly advancing agentic capabilities pushed AI out of research labs and firmly into user-centric productivity, creativity, and web browsing. Among the developments that shaped the year most decisively were Google’s Gemini 3.0, OpenAI’s GPT-5 and GPT-5.2, the rise of AI-native browsers, and breakthroughs in generative video tools.
Gemini 3.0: Google’s biggest leap yet
Google elevated its AI roadmap in 2025 with the launch of Gemini 3.0, widely regarded as its most advanced model to date. Gemini 3.0 stood out for its deep reasoning, enhanced multimodal understanding, and agentic capabilities. A key differentiator was its deep integration across Search, Workspace, and Android, enabling users to plan multi-step tasks, interact seamlessly across apps, and achieve real-time productivity gains. Industry analysts noted that Gemini 3.0 pushed AI beyond a “co-pilot” role toward becoming a true collaborator.
OpenAI’s counter: GPT-5 and GPT-5.2
OpenAI sharpened the competitive landscape with the launch of GPT-5, followed later in the year by its enhanced version, GPT-5.2. The upgraded model delivered faster responses, stronger contextual understanding, improved visual interpretation, and optimisation for agentic workflows. Experts observed that GPT-5.2 signalled a move closer to human-expert-level performance in complex professional tasks such as research, coding, and creative production.
The rise of AI browsers: Comet and Atlas
A new trend took shape in 2025 with the emergence of AI-native web browsers. Perplexity AI launched Comet, a Chromium-based browser that uses autonomous agents to browse websites, navigate pages, fill forms, and even complete online transactions on a user’s behalf.
In response, OpenAI introduced Atlas, an AI-powered browser capable of executing multi-step actions, deep research, and online shopping through a single prompt. Atlas’s “Memory” feature added a layer of personalisation, allowing users to instantly return to previous searches and tasks.
Sora 2: The next generation of text-to-video
OpenAI’s Sora 2, a second-generation text-to-video and audio model, emerged as one of 2025’s most talked-about launches. New features such as Cameos, Remix culture, and an AI-native feed opened fresh creative avenues for short-form and cinematic content. While currently limited to the United States and Canada, a wider rollout is expected in 2026.
Adobe’s AI suite: Automating creative workflows
Adobe expanded its AI portfolio in 2025 with the introduction of Firefly Image Model 5, new video models, and tools such as Generate Soundtrack and Generate Speech. The launch of the Photoshop Express AI Assistant further streamlined creative workflows by handling editing tasks on behalf of users, making content creation faster and more intuitive.
The road ahead
In conclusion, 2025 redefined AI’s trajectory—from reasoning to agentic action, browsing to creation, and cloud intelligence to on-device capability. As models become more personalised and deeply integrated into daily tools, AI’s impact will extend far beyond the technology sector into work, education, media, and consumer experiences. The key question in 2026 will no longer be what AI can do, but how quickly—and how responsibly—it is adopted.
