Tech Trends 2026

Last year’s Tech Trends report predicted that artificial intelligence would become akin to electricity, a foundational element seamlessly integrated into an incredibly broad range of products and services. This year’s report, the 17th annual edition of Tech Trends, confirms that hypothesis. No corner of enterprise technology is untouched by AI, as the demand for intelligent operations now informs decisions on everything from computing hardware to physical robotics.

While last year’s focus was on building proof-of-concept projects and exploring the art of the possible, this year is all about scaling. Enterprises across industries are operationalising AI-driven processes. The reason is simple: Leaders have realised that the key to competitive differentiation will be using AI to drive automation, innovation, and acceleration.

For 17 years, Tech Trends has explored emerging technologies poised to reshape business in the next 18 to 24 months. Our research is based on trend sensing from conversations with Deloitte subject matter experts and external technology leaders, as well as Deloitte’s proprietary research on emerging technologies. This year, the data reveals five interconnected forces.