5 tech trends that might define 2026

In a word, the tech scene last year was restless. New technologies shaped our industries, moved markets, sharpened geopolitical rivalries, strained power grids, and unsettled public trust.

Artificial intelligence stopped feeling experimental and began to behave like infrastructure. Chips became political assets. Automation spread at a much higher rate than ever.

As 2026 begins, the focus is set to shift from breakthrough moments to consequences: Who builds the infrastructure? Who controls it? Who profits from it? And who bears the costs?

From the global spread of data centres to the mass arrival of self-driving cars, from the concentration of tech wealth to the search for useful roles for AI at work, these are the forces likely to shape the year ahead.

The Guardian has pointed out five trends worth watching in the year ahead.

The global spread of data centres

In the past year, data centres multiplied across the US and the UK. In 2026, that expansion will move decisively global. The infrastructure behind AI will be a multi-trillion-dollar build, and it will be heading into new markets.

India is a stand out contender here. Major American firms have pledged tens of billions of dollars to new facilities there over the next five years. South-east Asia is close behind. Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam are expected to see rapid growth, while Singapore remains dense with computing power. Australia is also emerging as a regional hub.

The challenge is heat and energy. These facilities require vast amounts of electricity, much of it for cooling. Brazil will likely face a similar tension. It is attracting investment but struggling with an ageing power grid. Data centre demand has already contributed to blackouts, and local opposition is growing. Communities often have little clarity on how much water or power these sites will use.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are betting heavily on AI infrastructure as part of a shift away from oil. Europe, by contrast, is growing more cautiously. It has a mature data centre market but has not matched the pace or scale seen in the US or China.

China is also offering a warning — a rapid build-out in recent years has left many new facilities underused. Capacity alone does not guarantee customers. Other regions may soon face the same question.

Self-driving cars go mainstream

Autonomous vehicles are no longer confined to test zones. In 2026, many developed cities will see them as part of ordinary traffic.

Waymo, backed by Google, has already opened its robotaxi service to the public in San Francisco and expanded across Los Angeles. This year, its cars are expected to appear in Washington, New York and London.

Chinese firms are moving just as fast. Baidu's Apollo Go has launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. WeRide operates in the Gulf and Singapore. Several Chinese developers plan European rollouts, including services in Germany. For the first time, large numbers of people will encounter driverless cars on routine journeys.

The rich keep getting richer

The technology boom continues to reward a small group at the top. In 2025 alone, a handful of executives added hundreds of billions of dollars to their wealth.

Two possible stock market listings loom large. SpaceX and OpenAI are both valued close to a trillion dollars. A SpaceX float would further enrich Elon Musk, who already sits at the peak of global wealth rankings and stands to benefit from massive pay packages at Tesla.

OpenAI's case is different. Its chief executive, Sam Altman, has said he holds no equity in the for-profit entity. An offering would instead reward employees and partners such as Microsoft.

Not all fortunes rise smoothly however. Oracle, once buoyed by enthusiasm for AI, has faced sharper scrutiny from investors worried about risk and over-commitment. Its share price has taken a hit. Even in boom times, doubt remains close at hand.

AI at work, slowly and unevenly

Last year — or over the last couple of years — artificial intelligence has changed some jobs fast. Software development and customer service now look very different. Elsewhere, progress has been slower. Many companies have struggled to turn AI trials into real returns. Studies suggest most pilot projects fail to pay off.

Still, the expectation of future automation is shaping hiring decisions today. Firms hesitate to recruit. Creative industries, already under pressure, are experimenting with AI to cut costs. Lawyers remain cautious, aware of errors but appreciative of faster document review.

In 2026, AI is likely to settle into specific tasks where it genuinely helps rather than replacing workers wholesale.

Devices take stranger shapes

For years, the smartphone barely changed. That is no longer true. Folding screens are common on high-end Android devices, and Apple is widely expected to introduce its own foldable phone. If it does, millions will follow.

At the same time, companies are searching for a physical form for AI. Some early attempts like Rabbit R1 and the Humane AI Pin have failed. Others, such as smart glasses, are gaining traction. Currently, Meta dominates this space and is likely to push it further next year.

AI will also appear in places few asked for. Connected appliances already talk back. By 2026, even hotel bedding may have opinions.