The Strings 2025 Conference highlighted significant discussions in string theory, particularly Lara Anderson's talk on topology changes in heterotic vacua, which connects various Calabi-Yau manifolds through five-branes. The revival of the IKKT model, a matrix model related to the emergence of time, was also noted, alongside a session led by Witten on von Neumann algebras in quantum gravity. Renata Kallosh mentioned upcoming data on the tensor-to-scalar ratio in the CMB, suggesting implications for string models related to inflation. The conversation also touched on the broader criticisms of string theory, including its lack of empirical validation and the challenges of fine-tuning models. Overall, the conference showcased both advancements and ongoing debates within the field of string theory.