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Read technology predictions for 2026, a year that will see the world transform thanks to disruptions in technology that will impact a wide range of sectors—and we explore some of them below. It’s your future, discover what you’re in for.
Quantumrun Foresight prepared this list; A futurist consulting firm that uses strategic foresight to help companies thrive from future trends. This is just one of many possible futures society may experience.
technology forecasts for 2026
SONY starts delivering its "smartphone electric vehicles." Likelihood: 60 percent.1
25% of online users will spend at least 1 hour per day in the Metaverse. Likelihood: 70 percent1
90% of online content will be artificial intelligence (AI)-generated. Likelihood: 60 percent1
Startup Aska makes the first deliveries of its four-passenger air-mobility vehicles (e.g., flying cars), pre-sold at USD $789,000 each. Likelihood: 50 percent1
The global market for cell and gene therapy has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 33.6% since 2021, reaching approximately USD $17.4 billion. Likelihood: 65 percent1
The global exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry's asset under management (AUM) doubles since 2022. Likelihood: 60 percent1
The global Agriculture Internet of Things (IoT) market size and share revenue reaches USD $18.7 billion, up from USD $11.9 billion in 2020. Likelihood: 60 percent1
The global virtual reality (VR) in healthcare market size and share revenue reach USD $40.98 billion, up from USD $2.70 billion in 2020. Likelihood: 60 percent1
First 3D Fast Bus, the Land Airbus, is tested on Chinese roads. 1
The European Union's experimental, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is activated for the first time 1
First 3D Fast Bus, the Land Airbus, is tested on Chinese roads 1
Google contributes to speeding up the Internet, to make it 1000 times faster 1
Forecast
In 2026, a number of technology breakthroughs and trends will become available to the public, for example:
- Between 2022 to 2026, the worldwide shift from smartphones to wearable augmented reality (AR) glasses will begin and will accelerate as the 5G rollout is completed. These next-generation AR devices will offer users context-rich information about their environment in real-time. (Likelihood 90%) 1
- Canada's high skilled workforce and lower dollar will make the Greater Toronto Area the second-biggest tech hub in North America after Silicon Valley by 2026 to 2028. Likelihood: 70% 1
- The European Union's experimental, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is activated for the first time 1
- First 3D Fast Bus, the Land Airbus, is tested on Chinese roads 1
- Google contributes to speeding up the Internet, to make it 1000 times faster 1
- Cost of solar panels, per watt, equals 0.75 US dollars 1
- World sales of electric vehicles reaches 10,526,667 1
- Predicted global mobile web traffic equals 126 exabytes 1
- Global Internet traffic grows to 452 exabytes 1
Prediction
Technology related predictions due to make an impact in 2026 include:
- How the first Artificial General Intelligence will change society: Future of artificial intelligence P2
- Why are countries competing to build the biggest supercomputers? Future of Computers P6
- Future of software development: Future of computers P2
- Say goodbye to your mouse and keyboard, new user interfaces to redefine humanity: Future of computers P1
- Housing prices crash as 3D printing and maglevs revolutionize construction: Future of Cities P3
- Your addictive, magical, augmented life: Future of the Internet P6
- Your future inside the Internet of Things: Future of the Internet P4
- Rise of the big data-powered virtual assistants: Future of the Internet P3
- Gestures, holograms, and matrix-style mind uploading
- A fading Moore’s Law to spark fundamental rethink of microchips: Future of Computers P4
- The big business future behind self-driving cars: Future of Transportation P2
Related technology articles for 2026:
Medically assistive nanobots: Meet the micro-medics.
AI improves patient outcomes: Is AI our best healthcare worker yet?.
AI speeds scientific discovery: The scientist that never sleeps.
Assisted creativity: Can AI enhance human creativity?.
Personal digital twins: The age of online avatars.
Deepfakes for fun: When deepfakes become entertainment.
Generative adversarial networks (GANs): The age of synthetic media.
Recurrent neural networks (RNNs): Predictive algorithms that can anticipate human behavior.
Convolutional neural network (CNN): Teaching computers how to see.
Molecular robotics: These microscopic robots can do just about anything.
Synthetic age reversal: Can science make us young again?.
Artificial nervous systems: Can robots finally feel?.
VR advertisem*nts: The next frontier for brand marketing.
Brick-and-click: The tricky balance between online and physical stores.
Autonomous robot painters: The future of wall painting.
Hempcrete: Building with green plants.
Digitized health and protective labeling: Empowering the consumer.
Offensive government hacking: A new kind of digital warfare.
Unpiloted military vehicles: Are we getting close to lethal autonomous weapons?.
Local autonomous vehicle regulations: A road less regulated.
AI-augmented work: Can machine learning systems become our best teammate?.
Delivery tracking and security: A higher level of transparency.
Autonomous pharmacies: Are AI and medications a good combination?.
Web-scale content analysis: Making sense of online content.
Automation of workers: How can human laborers stay relevant?.
Serverless computing: Outsourcing server management.
AI in the cloud: Accessible AI services.
Virtual reality estate tours: The age of immersive virtual house tours.
Automation to audit the rich: Can AI bring tax evaders in line?.
View all 2026 trends
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