technology predictions for 2026 | Future timeline

Read technology predictions for 2026, a year that will see the world transform thanks to disruptions in technology that will impact a wide range of sectors—and we explore some of them below. It’s your future, discover what you’re in for.

Quantumrun Foresight prepared this list; A futurist consulting firm that uses strategic foresight to help companies thrive from future trends. This is just one of many possible futures society may experience.

technology forecasts for 2026

  • SONY starts delivering its "smartphone electric vehicles." Likelihood: 60 percent.1
  • 25% of online users will spend at least 1 hour per day in the Metaverse. Likelihood: 70 percent1
  • 90% of online content will be artificial intelligence (AI)-generated. Likelihood: 60 percent1
  • Startup Aska makes the first deliveries of its four-passenger air-mobility vehicles (e.g., flying cars), pre-sold at USD $789,000 each. Likelihood: 50 percent1
  • The global market for cell and gene therapy has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 33.6% since 2021, reaching approximately USD $17.4 billion.  Likelihood: 65 percent1
  • The global exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry's asset under management (AUM) doubles since 2022. Likelihood: 60 percent1
  • The global Agriculture Internet of Things (IoT) market size and share revenue reaches USD $18.7 billion, up from USD $11.9 billion in 2020. Likelihood: 60 percent1
  • The global virtual reality (VR) in healthcare market size and share revenue reach USD $40.98 billion, up from USD $2.70 billion in 2020. Likelihood: 60 percent1
  • First 3D Fast Bus, the Land Airbus, is tested on Chinese roads. 1
  • The European Union's experimental, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is activated for the first time 1
  • First 3D Fast Bus, the Land Airbus, is tested on Chinese roads 1
  • Google contributes to speeding up the Internet, to make it 1000 times faster 1
Forecast
In 2026, a number of technology breakthroughs and trends will become available to the public, for example:
  • Between 2022 to 2026, the worldwide shift from smartphones to wearable augmented reality (AR) glasses will begin and will accelerate as the 5G rollout is completed. These next-generation AR devices will offer users context-rich information about their environment in real-time. (Likelihood 90%) 1
  • Canada's high skilled workforce and lower dollar will make the Greater Toronto Area the second-biggest tech hub in North America after Silicon Valley by 2026 to 2028. Likelihood: 70% 1
  • The European Union's experimental, International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is activated for the first time 1
  • First 3D Fast Bus, the Land Airbus, is tested on Chinese roads 1
  • Google contributes to speeding up the Internet, to make it 1000 times faster 1
  • Cost of solar panels, per watt, equals 0.75 US dollars 1
  • World sales of electric vehicles reaches 10,526,667 1
  • Predicted global mobile web traffic equals 126 exabytes 1
  • Global Internet traffic grows to 452 exabytes 1
Prediction
Technology related predictions due to make an impact in 2026 include:

Related technology articles for 2026:

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