The year 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for artificial intelligence (AI), as outlined in a new Forbes report prepared by digital transformation expert Bernard Marr. His forecast highlights eight major trends that will influence business, technology, society, and global politics. These predictions reflect not only the opportunities AI brings but also the growing concerns around ethics, energy, and human impact.
One of the most striking insights is the rise of AI agents in everyday life. These will no longer act as passive assistants but as autonomous agents capable of carrying out tasks on their own—booking trips, managing household devices, or even coordinating office projects with external partners. This shift could redefine productivity and convenience for both individuals and businesses.
At the same time, the synthetic content crisis is expected to intensify. By 2026, Marr suggests that up to 90% of online content could be AI-generated. While synthetic content is useful for analytics and speed, the oversupply risks drowning out authentic human voices. Users, creators, and platforms will need new ways to filter quality from noise in an ocean of low-grade AI material.
The future of work is another critical area. AI-driven automation will create new professions like prompt engineers and AI ethicists, while simultaneously eliminating many routine administrative jobs. Companies may cut costs, but this will also trigger waves of layoffs. This dual impact—job creation alongside job reduction—will reshape labor markets across industries.
AI will also extend into the physical world, powering autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots in logistics and healthcare, and a growing Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. With safety regulations advancing, AI will no longer just live in apps but become a tangible force in workplaces, construction sites, and homes.
Geopolitics will not remain untouched. Marr predicts that AI-driven disruptions in international trade and power dynamics will intensify as governments treat AI as a strategic asset. Export controls, data restrictions, and attempts to dominate global supply chains will define much of the technological competition between nations.
Another important trend is Invisible AI. Just as electricity or the internet became normalized, AI will become part of the background infrastructure of life. Children born in the last decade will consider talking to machines a natural activity, making AI an invisible but omnipresent force.
In healthcare, AI integration is accelerating. Smart diagnostic tools, AI-powered stethoscopes, and real-time health monitoring systems are moving from pilot projects into routine medical practice, improving patient outcomes and supporting physicians with faster, data-driven insights.
Finally, the question of energy-efficient AI will dominate discussions. Training large models requires enormous power, with U.S. Department of Energy projections showing AI-related data centers could consume 12% of national electricity by 2028. By 2026, researchers will focus on optimizing cooling systems, managing workloads, and even exploring nuclear micro-reactors to meet rising demand.
In conclusion, 2026 will be the year when AI stops being an emerging technology and becomes a structural force across all aspects of society. From redefining how we work to reshaping geopolitics, healthcare, and sustainability, these trends signal both immense opportunities and profound challenges. Staying ahead of these changes will be crucial for businesses, governments, and individuals alike.
