Key Takeaways:
- Datacenters will see rapid proliferation beyond the US and China, with India and South-east Asia emerging as new hubs
- Self-driving cars will become more widespread, with major firms deploying their robotaxis to metropolises around the world
- Billionaires will likely reap more wealth, with initial public offerings from OpenAI and SpaceX potentially adding tens of billions to their net worth
- AI will find its niche at work, transforming productivity in certain industries, but not replacing worker-level productivity in most industries
- Consumer tech will take on new and unusual forms, with the development of smart glasses, folding phones, and other devices that integrate AI capabilities
Introduction to TechScape:
Hello, and welcome to TechScape. As we approach the new year, it’s time to look forward to the next year in technology news. There are several trends that will define the year, including the rapid proliferation of datacenters, the expansion of self-driving cars, and the growing wealth of billionaires. Additionally, AI will continue to transform the workplace, and consumer tech will take on new and unusual forms.
The Global Expansion of Datacenters:
Datacenters have been spreading rapidly across the US and UK in 2025, and this trend is expected to continue in 2026. The multitrillion-dollar project of building the infrastructure behind artificial intelligence is poised to expand across the globe, with India and South-east Asia emerging as new hubs. Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have all committed to investing billions of dollars in datacenters in India, and Singapore is already a major hub for datacenters in the region. However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of datacenters, particularly in regions with high temperatures, where they require large amounts of electricity for cooling.
The Rise of Self-Driving Cars:
Self-driving cars are becoming increasingly common, with major firms deploying their robotaxis to metropolises around the world. Waymo, Google’s driverless venture, has been rolling out its robotaxi service in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and will be expanding to Washington DC, New York City, and London in 2026. Chinese companies such as Baidu and WeRide are also expanding their self-driving car services to Europe and other parts of the world. This trend is likely to continue, with more people seeing self-driving cars in their daily lives.
The Growing Wealth of Billionaires:
Billionaires will likely reap more wealth in 2026, with initial public offerings from OpenAI and SpaceX potentially adding tens of billions to their net worth. Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, is expected to benefit from the company’s trading launch, and Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, may also see a significant increase in his wealth. However, there are some exceptions to this trend, with Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle, potentially seeing a decrease in his wealth due to investor concerns about the company’s involvement in the AI boom.
The Transformation of Work by AI:
AI is transforming productivity in certain industries, but not replacing worker-level productivity in most industries. While AI has been successful in niches such as coding and customer service, it has not yet had a significant impact on most industries. An MIT study found that 95% of companies’ AI pilot programs failed to provide a return on investment, and many firms are refraining from hiring, waiting for the technology’s potential to arrive. However, AI is likely to find more niches where it is genuinely useful in 2026, and the Guardian will be publishing a year-long series on AI and the future of work.
The Evolution of Consumer Tech:
Consumer tech is taking on new and unusual forms, with the development of smart glasses, folding phones, and other devices that integrate AI capabilities. Apple’s rumored folding phone has been eliciting a lot of interest, and top Androids have already been sporting folding screens for years. Tech companies are also working on new AI devices, desperate to be the first to unlock the appeal of ChatGPT IRL. Smart glasses present a promising avenue for bringing generative and responsive AI into people’s everyday lives, and these devices are already popular. In 2026, smart glasses seem likely to proliferate and advance, dominated by Meta.
