The tech landscape has undergone a significant transformation in the past year, marked by breakthroughs in AI, security, and emerging technologies. ChatGPT’s limitations in counting “r”s in “strawberry” sparked a conversation about reasoning models, while Chinese frontier labs’ DeepSeek-R1 and open-source reasoning agents began to gain traction. Meanwhile, IBM’s Granite 3.0 arrived on the scene, and MCP gained momentum with an endorsement from Sam Altman. As the industry continues to evolve, experts warn of scarce chips and compute resources, giving new territories a competitive advantage. With these developments in mind, we spoke to experts across AI, security, and quantum computing to predict the top trends that will shape the tech landscape in 2026.
Experts Weigh In: The Future of AI and Tech
| Event | The trends that will shape AI and tech in 2026 |
| Date | 1 Jan 2026 |
| Key People/Organizations involved | Anabelle Nicoud, IBM, Peter Staar, Chris Hay, Kaoutar El Maghraoui |
| Status/Current Situation | Ongoing innovation |
| New Agentic Capabilities | Expected to give way to new possibilities for businesses and individuals |
| Efficiency Frontier | Expected to be the new frontier |
| GPU Status | Will remain king |
| ASIC-based Accelerators | Expected to mature |
| Chiplet Designs | Expected to mature |
| Analog Inference | Expected to mature |
| Quantum-Assisted Optimizers | Expected to mature |
Experts Weigh In: The Future of AI and Tech
The pace of innovation in the tech industry is expected to continue accelerating in 2026, according to a dozen experts interviewed by IBM Think. “It’s such a crazy time,” said Peter Staar, a Principal Research Staff Member at the IBM Research Zurich Laboratory. “And it’s only accelerating.” This sentiment was echoed by many, who believe that new agentic capabilities will give way to new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike.
“I really see the parallels of music production à la Rick Rubin style with AI creation,” said IBM’s Distinguished Engineer Chris Hay. “I don’t limit it to coding. I think we [will] all become AI composers, whether you’re a marketer, programmer or PM.” Experts also highlighted the importance of efficiency in the tech industry, with many predicting that it will be the new frontier in 2026.
Emerging Tech Trends to Shape the Industry in 2026
Emerging Tech Trends to Shape the Industry in 2026
The pace of innovation in the tech industry is expected to continue accelerating in 2026, according to experts from IBM and beyond. A dozen experts in tech, including researchers, founders, and leaders, shared their insights on what to expect in the year ahead. They all agreed that the pace of innovation won’t slow down, with new agentic capabilities giving way to new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike.
Efficiency is expected to be the new frontier, with advancements in chip design, analog inference, and quantum-assisted optimizers. GPUs will remain king, but ASIC-based accelerators, chiplet designs, and analog inference will mature. This shift towards efficiency is expected to have a significant impact on the tech industry, enabling businesses and individuals to create new and innovative solutions.
The experts also highlighted the importance of emerging technologies, such as quantum computing, which is expected to play a major role in shaping the industry in 2026. Quantum-assisted optimizers will mature, enabling businesses and individuals to create more efficient and effective solutions.
AI and Security: The Growing Concern
As the tech industry continues to advance, concerns about AI and security are growing. With the increasing reliance on AI, the risk of cyber threats and data breaches is becoming a major concern. Experts predict that 2026 will see a significant focus on developing more secure AI systems. Quantum computing, with its potential to break current encryption methods, is also expected to play a role in shaping the security landscape.
The scarcity of chips and compute resources is giving new territories a competitive advantage, making it essential for companies to prioritize security measures. GPUs will remain king, but ASIC-based accelerators, chiplet designs, and analog inference are expected to mature, providing new opportunities for innovation. The emphasis on efficiency will be a key aspect of AI and security in 2026.
The pace of innovation in AI and security is expected to accelerate in 2026, with new agentic capabilities giving way to new possibilities for businesses and individuals. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to prioritize security measures to prevent potential threats and ensure the safe development of AI systems.
Quantum Computing: The Next Frontier
As the tech industry continues to push the boundaries of innovation, quantum computing is emerging as a key area of focus. Experts predict that quantum computing will play a significant role in shaping the future of AI and tech. With its potential to solve complex problems and process vast amounts of data, quantum computing is poised to revolutionize the industry. According to IBM’s Peter Staar, a Principal Research Staff Member at the IBM Research Zurich Laboratory, “it’s such a crazy time, and it’s only accelerating.” This sentiment is echoed by many in the industry, who believe that the pace of innovation will only continue to increase in 2026.
The integration of quantum computing with AI is expected to lead to new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike. As IBM’s Distinguished Engineer Chris Hay notes, “I really see the parallels of music production à la Rick Rubin style with AI creation.” This suggests that AI will become increasingly accessible and user-friendly, enabling more people to create and innovate using AI tools. The potential applications of quantum computing and AI are vast, and experts are excited to explore the possibilities that this combination will bring.
The maturation of quantum-assisted optimizers is also expected to have a significant impact on the industry. As Kaoutar El Maghraoui, a Principal Research Staff Member at IBM, notes, “GPUs will remain king, but ASIC-based accelerators, chiplet designs, analog inference, and even quantum-assisted optimizers will mature.” This suggests that the industry will see significant advancements in the development of quantum computing technology, leading to new and innovative applications.
Industry Impact: How 2026’s Trends Will Shape the Tech Landscape
The tech industry is poised for significant changes in 2026, driven by the rapid pace of innovation. As experts from IBM and beyond share their insights, one common theme emerges: the industry will not slow down. Peter Staar, a Principal Research Staff Member at the IBM Research Zurich Laboratory, notes that it’s a “crazy time” and “it’s only accelerating.” This acceleration will bring new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike, with new agentic capabilities giving way to new possibilities.
The industry’s focus on efficiency will also continue to shape the tech landscape. GPUs will remain king, but ASIC-based accelerators, chiplet designs, analog inference, and even quantum-assisted optimizers will mature. This shift towards efficiency will have far-reaching implications for the industry, as companies adapt to new technologies and business models. The pace of innovation will lead to new opportunities for businesses and individuals, and experts predict that efficiency will be the new frontier.
As the industry continues to evolve, experts predict that new agentic capabilities will give way to new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike. This will lead to new opportunities for collaboration and innovation, as companies and individuals adapt to the changing landscape. With the pace of innovation showing no signs of slowing down, the tech industry is poised for significant changes in 2026.
What’s Next for the Tech Industry in 2026
What’s Next for the Tech Industry in 2026
The tech industry is expected to continue its rapid pace of innovation in 2026, with new agentic capabilities giving way to new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike. New agentic capabilities will emerge, enabling users to create and compose AI-generated content, similar to music production. This shift is expected to have a significant impact on various industries, from marketing to programming.
Efficiency will be a key focus area in 2026, with advancements in GPUs, ASIC-based accelerators, chiplet designs, analog inference, and quantum-assisted optimizers. These innovations will help drive the growth of the tech industry, making it more competitive and efficient. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest trends and developments.
The pace of innovation in 2026 is expected to be crazy and accelerating, according to experts. New possibilities will emerge, and businesses and individuals will need to adapt to these changes. With the tech industry continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible, it’s an exciting time to be a part of this rapidly evolving landscape.
Sources and Resources
Sources and Resources
The trends that will shape AI and tech in 2026 were uncovered through a series of interviews with experts in the field. IBM Think spoke with a dozen researchers, founders, and leaders from IBM and beyond to gain insights on what to expect in the year ahead. These experts shared a common belief that the pace of innovation will not slow down in 2026, with Peter Staar, a Principal Research Staff Member at the IBM Research Zurich Laboratory, stating that “it’s such a crazy time, and it’s only accelerating.”
To stay up-to-date with the latest developments in AI and tech, readers can subscribe to the Think newsletter, which featured this article. The newsletter provides a platform for experts to share their insights and predictions on the future of the tech industry. For those interested in learning more about the trends shaping AI and tech in 2026, IBM Think has compiled a list of key resources, including research papers and articles from leading experts in the field.
Readers can also follow the work of IBM’s Distinguished Engineer Chris Hay, who believes that new agentic capabilities will give way to new possibilities for businesses and individuals alike. His predictions and insights on the future of AI and tech are featured in this article and can be accessed through the Think newsletter.
Source: IBM
