The year 2026 is poised to be a landmark period for technology, bringing innovations that will touch every aspect of our lives. From long-awaited hardware revolutions to critical advancements and challenges in artificial intelligence, the coming year promises significant change. A team of expert tech columnists has analysed the trends, and while not every prediction may hit the mark, several developments have a clear path forward.
The AI Evolution: Beyond Chatbots and Into Our Lives
Artificial intelligence will continue its relentless march, but its form and function are set to diversify. Apple is under immense pressure to finally deliver a competent, generative AI-powered Siri. After admitted delays and internal restructuring, including hiring former Google and Microsoft AI talent, the company is rebuilding Siri's core architecture. Reports suggest Apple is even testing Google's Gemini model to power the upgrade, aiming to shed Siri's outdated reputation.
Meanwhile, AI is expected to break free from screens. Google plans to release its first Gemini-powered smart glasses, and Meta will continue refining its Ray-Ban smart frames. The most tangible step, however, will be the entry of home robots. Startups like 1X and Sunday Robotics will begin limited in-home trials in the US, with robots like Neo and Memo learning to handle chores, albeit sometimes via human remote control initially.
Hardware Revolution: Folding Phones and EV Supercars
The smartphone market is bracing for a seismic shift as Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in fall 2026. According to Bloomberg, it will be a book-style device with multiple cameras and likely use Touch ID instead of Face ID. Apple's entry is predicted to boost global foldable shipments growth to 30% in 2026, though the price may start well above $2,000.
On the roads, electric vehicles will enter a new performance era. EV supercars from brands like Polestar, Alpine, Porsche, and even Ferrari's first electric model are set to hit the streets. These vehicles leverage instant torque and lightweight powertrains—like Mercedes's 28-pound, 1,000+ horsepower concept motor—to offer unprecedented performance, though they raise new safety concerns.
Cybersecurity and Identity in an AI World
The dark side of AI will become more pronounced. AI-generated phishing attacks led to a 400% rise in stolen personal data last year, and now more sophisticated, self-adapting malware is emerging. Google researchers detected state-sponsored actors using AI models to create malware that can obfuscate its own code, a technique predicted to become standard for criminals.
This threat landscape is accelerating the push for secure digital identity. Digital IDs stored on smartphones will become more prevalent in 2026. Apple and Google are expanding support for digital driver's licenses and passports, usable for everything from airport travel to online age verification. The EU will mandate digital national IDs, following early adoption in countries like Singapore and India.
Connectivity, Healthcare, and Neurotech Frontiers
Satellite internet is moving from a monopoly to a competitive market. Amazon's Project Kuiper will start providing high-speed internet to commercial customers like JetBlue in 2026, challenging SpaceX's Starlink. This could finally offer viable broadband alternatives for remote areas.
Soaring healthcare costs are fuelling a shift to DIY medicine, powered by direct-to-consumer tools and AI chatbots. However, this raises alarms as people increasingly turn to unverified AI for diagnoses and therapy. Concurrently, neurotechnology will advance from wrists to heads. Startups like Sam Altman's Merge Labs are developing non-invasive "mind-captioning" tech using ultrasound, while others aim to diagnose brain disorders through headsets like Apple Vision Pro.
Finally, autonomous vehicles will expand their footprint. Waymo plans to launch in Miami, Dallas, and Houston, while Zoox targets Austin and Miami. The technology will also creep into personal cars, with Rivian and GM advancing hands-free driving systems. As these predictions unfold, 2026 is set to be a year where technology becomes more integrated, powerful, and challenging than ever before.
