Looking ahead to 2026, industry experts are predicting changes that will reshape the industrial landscape in the areas of computing, artificial intelligence, the future of WiFi and industrial cybersecurity.

Looking ahead in 2026

Here is a summary of what they expect:

• Decentralized AI will appear in new-generation humanoid robotics by the end of 2026, and we’ll see the rise of analog AI compute.
• Wi-Fi is entering a powerful new growth phase, with Wi-Fi 7 scaling fast while the groundwork for Wi-Fi 8 and mmWave is laid.
• Cybercriminals are entering 2026 with new capabilities powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and increasingly sophisticated deception techniques. As people rely more than ever on digital services, smart devices, and online communication, threats are growing in both scale and complexity.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to transform every major industry sector over the next 12 to 18 months, driving exponential demand for computational resources while causing major bottlenecks in both compute power and connectivity.
• An updated Ethernet technology roadmap by the Ethernet Alliance defines Ethernet’s evolving role in AI, automotive, and next-generation connectivity.

Industry Experts Speak on the Future