Top 17 New Technology Trends That Will Define 2026

By 2026, AI is projected to automate up to 70% of everyday work tasks. Today we will discuss top 17 new technology trends in 2026, including brain-controlled devices and walking robots, and emphasizes the democratization of app development through low code and no code platforms

1. Low Code Development

By 2026, over 75% of new applications are projected to utilize low code or no code platforms. Such as Glide and Bubble, enabling users to create apps with simple drag-and-drop functionalities. OpenAI is also facilitating the development of AI tools without code.While Google’s AppSheet automates workflows, reducing the need for developers.

2. AI in Extended Reality

By 2026, AI will significantly enhance extended reality (XR) experiences, enabling environments to adapt intelligently to user interactions. Companies like Nvidia are developing self-generating real-time characters capable of engaging conversations. While Meta is investing heavily in avatars that not only appear more realistic but also demonstrate emotional responsiveness. Innovations showcased at CES include virtual shops that alter their layouts dynamically based on customer movement.

3. Smart Infrastructure

By 2026, the proliferation of over 30 billion IoT devices will transform urban infrastructure, exemplified by dynamic traffic lights in Singapore and automated inventory tracking in warehouses through AWS and Verizon. Additionally, smart poles in South Korea will enhance urban living by monitoring air quality and providing charging solutions. This shift towards intelligent infrastructure focuses on efficiency and real-time responsiveness.

4. Privacy First AI

Apple’s latest chips enable on-device AI processing without the need for cloud storage, ensuring rapid and private task execution. Similarly, Meta’s Llama 3 models can also operate locally. While Intel’s Meteor Lake chips come equipped with AI accelerators for this purpose. With increasing regulations like GDPR and CCPA, AI technology is adapting to prioritize data privacy and localized processing.

5. Workflow Automation

Tools like Service Now, UiPath, and Zapier are revolutionizing workflow automation, enabling companies to handle entire processes from hiring to invoicing without human involvement. Service Now reports a significant 65% reduction in repetitive tasks in large firms due to automation. This shift reflects a transition from automating individual tasks to entire processes functioning autonomously, exemplified by Amazon’s use of predictive analytics in warehouse operations.

6. AI in Retail Robotics

In 2024, Agility Robotics began implementing digital robots in Amazon warehouses, while Walmart has deployed autonomous shelf scanners across over a thousand stores. Additionally, autonomous delivery bots like Starship and Kiwi are increasingly visible on college campuses, utilizing AI vision and real-time mapping to improve efficiency amid worker shortages. These advancements indicate that robots are becoming a permanent fixture in retail and logistics.

7. AI Native Operating Systems

By 2026, AI integration will enhance operating systems directly, moving beyond applications. Microsoft is testing C-Pilot in Windows 11, enabling users to summarize files, rewrite emails, and generate images effortlessly. Apple is also set to unveil AI-driven features in MacOS and iOS, further evolving user interface interactions.

8. Advanced Wearables

Wearables have evolved from simple step counters to comprehensive health monitors that track various metrics such as stress, blood oxygen levels, and early signs of illness. Devices like Aura and Whoop provide athletes and users with insights about their recovery and sleep patterns. Recent advancements in wearables are expanding their capabilities further to include new health tracking features.

9. Quantum Computing Advances

Quantum computing is on the verge of becoming practical, with companies like IBM reaching significant milestones such as 2023’s 1,000 qubits and plans for a 1386 qubit chip in 2026. These advancements point toward potential applications in drug simulation and supply chain optimization, highlighting a rapidly evolving field with competitors like Google and ION Q joining the race. While still in early development stages, the technology is beginning to demonstrate its capabilities.

10. AR Glasses Development

AR glasses are nearing practical use, with advancements led by Apple’s Vision Pro and efforts from companies like Meta and Samsung. These lightweight glasses will feature real-time overlays including live captions, navigation arrows, and translated subtitles. By 2026, using AR glasses could eliminate the need to pull out a phone for tasks like replying to texts.

11. AI in Healthcare

In 2024, Google Deep Mind unveiled an AI model capable of identifying 21 diseases through retinal scans, providing early detection surpassing human capabilities. US hospitals are leveraging AI to analyze patient data, enabling the early identification of sepsis and cardiac risks before symptoms manifest. Additionally, AI is being applied in cancer treatment planning.

12. Edge AI Chips

In 2026, Edge AI technology enables real-time processing directly on devices, eliminating lag by using built-in AI chips in phones and laptops. Apple’s A17 Pro and M4 chips exemplify this trend by offering instant capabilities for tasks like language translation and voice recognition, while Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is set to enhance Windows laptops with similar power.

13. AI Home Assistants

Intel’s Meteor Lake chips feature MPUs that enable efficient AI processing, effectively transforming devices into intelligent entities. Home assistants, like Amazon’s Astro, have evolved from simple speakers to multifunctional robots capable of home monitoring, elder care, and executing voice commands, showcasing significant advancements in AI technology.

14. Humanoid Robots

Humanoid robots are advancing from simple tasks to commercial applications, with companies like Figure AI partnering with BMW to integrate robots in manufacturing. Robots such as Figure01 and Tesla’s Optimus are capable of walking, lifting, and handling repetitive tasks effectively. As their costs decrease, these robots are becoming scalable solutions for various industries, with some expected to be priced below that of a small car.

15. AI Task Automation

AI agents are evolving beyond simple responses to manage entire tasks autonomously. For instance, Devon, developed by Cognition Labs, showcases this capability by building websites, debugging code, and deploying applications independently. Tools like Auto GPT can chain tasks, plan itineraries, and make reservations, marking a significant leap in AI task automation.

16. Generative AI Impact

Agents are increasingly being trained for tasks like onboarding, data management, and client responses, marking a shift from mere interaction to delegation to AI. By 2026, generative AI will dominate content creation, with models like GPT-5 and Gemini Ultra integrating text, images, video, and audio. This evolution signifies a fundamental change in the content production landscape, where AI is now an integral component of writing and multimedia projects.

17. Brain Computer Interfaces

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are advancing beyond laboratory settings, with Neurolink’s successful implantation of a chip in a human allowing for computer cursor control through thought. Companies like Synchron and Precision Neuroscience are also creating less invasive devices aimed at restoring mobility or communication for those with paralysis. Clinical trials have demonstrated BCIs enabling stroke patients to regain limb control and send messages through thought.