Next year will be marked by disruptive advances — and complex challenges — in Artificial Intelligence, data protection, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and human experience in connected environments
As we enter 2026, technology stops being just a competitive factor and becomes a strategic element of sovereignty, governance and corporate risks. The coming year will be marked by disruptive advances — and complex challenges — in Artificial Intelligence, data protection, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure and the human experience in connected environments.
Below, I highlight 25 technological trends that will shape 2026, organized into blocks that reflect the main vectors of digital transformation.
1. Autonomous Agentic AI
AI systems capable of planning and executing complex tasks without human intervention will continue to dominate the corporate and operational landscape.
2. Native AI Platforms for Development
Tools that integrate AI directly into software development flows, accelerating innovation and automation.
3. Domain-Specific Language Models (DSLMs)
Models trained with specialized data for industries like healthcare, finance, and legal deliver superior accuracy and context for critical applications.
4. Automated data protection audits
Automated compliance and data protection audits, powered by AI, will enable continuous assessments of privacy risks and compliance with laws like GDPR and LGPD — transforming end-to-end audits into continuous assurance cycles.
5. Strategic decluttering – hybrid online-offline architecture
Strategic decluttering represents the movement to reduce excessive dependence on large global technology and cloud providers, through the diversification of suppliers, adoption of hybrid architectures and strengthening internal capabilities, mixing the use of servers in local computer networks (LAN) – so as not to depend on internet connections; with servers in data centers (WAN).
6. AI facial recognition with ethical rules
The use of AI facial recognition will expand, including in public safety and physical/digital access — at the same time as the debate about ethics, biases and legislation grows. The challenge will be to balance utility and fundamental rights to individual freedoms.
7. AI-Based Behavioral Detection
Advanced AI will track behavioral patterns—across networks, applications, and physical environments—to identify anomalies, fraud, and security risks in real time with unprecedented accuracy.
8. Emotional artificial intelligence
Systems that recognize, interpret and respond to human emotional states will enable more human and contextualized interactions — with a direct impact on care, digital mental health and learning experiences.
9. Preventative cybersecurity
Digital security will move from reacting to incidents to anticipating them with AI-based predictive models.
10. AI Security Platforms
Tools specialized in defending AI infrastructures against manipulation, vulnerability exploitation and misuse.
11. Confidential and Protected Computing
Solutions that ensure that data is processed securely, even in shared or third-party environments.
12. Context-Aware Human-Computer Experience
Adaptive interfaces that adjust interaction based on context, preferences and usage history.
13. Customer e employee experience with AI
AI will redefine the customer and employee experience, delivering hyper-personalization and proactive support to maximize engagement and productivity.
14. Cognitive automation and intelligent robotics
Robots capable of learning and adapting complex functions in industrial, logistics and service environments.
15. Emerging Quantum Computing
Still in its early stages, quantum computing will create new capabilities in cryptography, optimization and advanced simulation.
16. Software with transparency and explainability
The demand for clear and auditable automated decisions will drive Explainable AI (XII).
17. Edge AI and On-Device Processing
Smaller, specialized models running locally will reduce latency and cloud dependency.
18. Digital-Physical Convergence (IoT + AI)
Connected devices with predictive AI will be standard in smart environments and connected cities.
19. Sovereign and geo-restricted cloud platforms
Organizations will move workloads to regional or national clouds for reasons of sovereignty, data control, and compliance.
20. Blockchain integrated with data governance
Decentralized networks will be used to register, verify and secure digital value chains with transparency.
21. Privacy by default
Privacy by Design it will no longer be a concept but will become an operational requirement in all digital products.
22. Zero trust as operational policy
Security architectures that assume no entity is automatically trusted will be key to securing hybrid environments.
23. Post-quantum security
Developing cryptography that resists attacks from quantum computers will be a strategic focus for protecting critical infrastructure.
24. Transparency and governance in algorithms
Algorithmic audits and equity metrics will be mandatory for critical applications that influence human decisions.
25. Offline LLM Artificial Intelligences
Offline LLM Artificial Intelligence represents the adoption of language models that run locally, without continuous dependence on a connection to the cloud, increasing privacy, control and data sovereignty. This approach reduces risks of leakage, dependence on third parties and latency, making it strategic for governments, regulated sectors and critical environments. In 2026, offline LLMs, embedded in hardware such as smartphones, watches and notebooks, tend to consolidate themselves as a safe alternative for corporate and institutional use.
26. Technologies and regulations for children and adolescents
ECA Digital consolidates the protection of children and adolescents in the digital environment in Brazil, especially in the processing of sensitive personal data, based on the Child and Adolescent Statute (Law nº 8,069/1990) and the LGPD (Law nº 13,709/2018), reinforcing the principle of the best interest of the minor. In practice, it imposes technical and organizational obligations on platforms, applications, schools and technology companies, such as specific consent from legal guardians, minimum data collection, restrictions on abusive profiling and reinforced security. ECA Digital also highlights the role of parental control technologies — such as content filters, limitation of usage time, monitoring of interactions and risk alerts — not only as good practices, but as essential compliance mechanisms, requiring that digital solutions be developed with privacy and security from conception, under penalty of supervision and liability.
The year 2026 will be defined by the deep integration between the decentralized technological capacity of the internet and digital responsibility. Technology will no longer be an isolated resource to become a central nervous system of organizations, requiring robust governance, data protection and equity. As leading industry reports highlight, AI is no longer optional — it is the infrastructure of the next decade.
Do you want to delve deeper into the subject, do you have any questions, comments or want to share your experience on this topic? Write to me on Instagram:
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
