03-25-2026IMPACT COUNCIL

24 technology trends to watch this year

As tech continues changing and adapting, executives share what they’re seeing for 2026.

[Photo: Getty Images]

The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of top leaders and experts who pay dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership, and more.

BY Fast Company Impact Council

When we say “technology” there’s a lot more than just artificial intelligence. Yet when talking about tech trends, AI is what most executives will point to. This year, leaders are seeing many trends around AI, from coding to handling multiple steps without human intervention to regulation. And a few executives will steer away from that conversation completely. We asked our Fast Company Impact Council members what technology trends they see gaining steam this year, and received an onslaught of ideas. We share 24 of those here.

1. TOOLS TO PROTECT ETHICAL USE

In the music space, AI platforms will start incorporating more tools that protect copyright and ethical use, especially as AI tools increasingly become more integrated into artists’ workflow. While there is justified pushback and fear around AI-generated art and music, AI will continue developing rapidly, and I predict there will be much-needed parameters to prevent artist exploitation balanced against more AI tools that are especially helpful for emerging artists to assist with everything from building websites to creating visuals. — Matt Mandrella, City of Huntsville, AL

The problem of deepfakes will worsen significantly, leading to increased misinformation and higher levels of social engineering that lead to major breaches, high fraud levels, and losses. To counter this, enterprises of all sizes will have to leverage AI to more proactively monitor and respond to these deepfakes on social media, the internet, and the dark web, going well beyond the enterprise’s traditional borders. Businesses will need to be able to go after attacker’s infrastructure before it can be weaponized and used against their customers and employees. — Scott Harrell, Infoblox

3. AI IN DRUG DISCOVERY

One of the most exciting trends this year is the rise of generative AI in drug discovery, with antibiotics as a powerful case study. Moving beyond early prediction and screening, today’s generative models can design new molecules by embedding potency, safety, and other drug-like parameters directly into the system. We’re using these models to design novel antibiotic candidates in silico. We’re also seeing more collaborative AI ecosystems that help these models learn and improve. Shared data and infrastructure further strengthen these systems—especially in antibiotics, a foundation of modern medicine. — Akhila Kosaraju, MD, Phare Bio

4. PERSONALIZED LEARNING

From my vantage point advising boards and C-suites in edtech, the strongest trends include AI-powered personalized learning tailored to individual needs, with skepticism around fully automated models. Leaders want augmentation, not replacement. Expect growth in tools that enhance decision-making, productivity, and workforce agility as organizations define how humans and technology work together. Align AI adoption with measurable business outcomes rather than novelty. — Alan Baratz, D-Wave

5. VERTICAL AI AGENTS

At the core of a successful retail strategy is collaboration. Specialized vertical AI agents will change the way........

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