The pace of technological development is only set to accelerate in 2026. Advancements across AI, cybersecurity, data and digital infrastructure will have significant impact on businesses, the economy and society at large.

As AI scales during 2026 it may become apparent if its impact will enhance economic growth through increased efficiency, or widen economic inequality, or both. What’s clear is that governments worldwide are responding to this uncertainty with tech-specific regulations, particularly for AI and areas adjacent. However, governments are challenged by the pace of change in tech, how to regulate it, and what to regulate. 2026 could mark a “high tide” for tech regulation - though this remains a question rather than a prediction.

This was the dominant theme in our TechLaw Day client survey and conversations throughout the year with journalists and industry specialists: organisations are excited about AI’s potential, but regulatory pressure is rising alongside it.

Across markets, this tension plays out in different ways. In AI, generative systems continue to frame public debate, while the transition toward agentic models introduces harder questions about accountability, ownership, and unintended outcomes.

Cybersecurity faces a similar inflection point. 2025 saw a rise in attacks across consumer-facing and industrial sectors, with AI-enhanced tactics raising both the speed and sophistication of threats. Quantum-era vulnerabilities are no longer theoretical, pushing long-term encryption planning higher up the agenda for global companies.

Data governance is tightening as governments try to keep pace with emerging technologies. From digital identities to new regional frameworks, organisations are being pushed to rethink how they collect, verify, share, and secure data. Significant investment in data infrastructure is raising the operational stakes.

Regulation more broadly is becoming a central driver of how digital systems are designed. Enforcement is sharpening, and policymakers are experimenting with tools ranging from sandboxes to consolidated digital frameworks.

Online safety is another area where momentum is building quickly. Expectations are rising around age assurance, platform duties, and child-safety design. For digital services, meeting these standards is fundamental to trust and market access.

Environmental scrutiny is evolving too. AI has pushed energy and water usage into sharper focus. With new rules on environmental claims and a renewed push to streamline sustainability frameworks, companies must demonstrate accountability in managing resource demands.

Taken together, these trends form the backdrop to our Tech Predictions for 2026 - a concise snapshot of the issues that matter most, drawing on insights from our teams across Europe, APAC, the Middle East, and the US, and reflecting the breadth of global expertise that underpins our technology sector.