Key Takeaways:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to have a significant impact on people’s daily lives in 2026, with a record $61 billion invested in data centers that power AI in 2025.
- Agentic AI, which can pursue goals and complete tasks on its own, is set to expand and become an essential part of more businesses, changing companies’ workflows and consumers’ experiences.
- The growth of data centers is expected to lead to higher electricity prices and increased energy consumption, with data centers accounting for around 4% of national electricity consumption in 2024.
- AI-generated content, including videos and articles, is becoming increasingly prevalent and may lead to a breakdown of trust and information, as well as crowding out real artists and content creators.
- Experts predict that AI will continue to shape society, with potential implications for employment, energy consumption, and consumer trust.
Introduction to AI’s Growing Impact
Artificial intelligence is steadily becoming a greater part of people’s daily lives, and that trend is expected to continue in 2026. As Anjana Susarla, a researcher at Michigan State University, notes, "I think 2026 will be defining, in the sense AI is no longer just something exciting, but we have to grapple with how it’s affecting our daily life and energy demands." With a record $61 billion invested in data centers that power AI in 2025, it is clear that AI is here to stay. Experts predict that AI will have a significant impact on people’s daily lives, from changing the way businesses operate to altering the way we consume information.
The Rise of Agentic AI
Agentic AI, which can pursue goals and complete tasks on its own, is set to expand and become an essential part of more businesses. As Martin Hilbert, a professor at the University of California, Davis, notes, "AI can automate many of these really repetitive, boring tasks that fill the daily schedule of many workers." This could lead to significant changes in the way companies operate, with AI agents taking over tasks such as checking emails and freeing up workers’ time. However, it also raises concerns about job displacement and the potential for those who master AI technology to gain a competitive advantage over their coworkers.
The Growth of Data Centers
The growth of data centers, which produce the computing power to run AI, is expected to lead to higher electricity prices and increased energy consumption. As Ms. Susarla notes, "Energy impacts of AI are coming front and center." Data centers already account for around 4% of national electricity consumption, and this number is expected to rise as more data centers are built. This has spurred bipartisan attention from elected officials, with some calling for a moratorium on new data center construction and others unveiling bills to protect communities’ rights to push back against new data center construction.
The Impact of AI-Generated Content
AI-generated content, including videos and articles, is becoming increasingly prevalent and may lead to a breakdown of trust and information. As Nir Eisikovits, director of the Applied Ethics Center at University of Massachusetts Boston, notes, "If you go on any social media content, a lot of what you’re going to see is AI." This raises concerns about the potential for AI-generated content to crowd out real artists and content creators, as well as the potential for it to be used to spread misinformation. Ms. Susarla asks, "With all this proliferation, are we losing something? What happens to consumer trust and safety?"
Conclusion
As AI continues to shape society, it is clear that there will be both benefits and drawbacks. While AI has the potential to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency, it also raises concerns about job displacement, energy consumption, and the potential for misinformation. As experts predict, 2026 will be a defining year for AI, and it is essential that we grapple with the implications of this technology on our daily lives. As Ms. Susarla notes, "We’re not talking about OpenAI building some cutting-edge AI tool, we’re talking about retailers that all of us are familiar with." It is time to consider the potential consequences of AI and work towards creating a future where the benefits of this technology are shared by all.
https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2026/0113/artificial-intelligence-impact-electricity-shopping