Las Vegas, NV — The future of artificial intelligence is no longer confined to screens and servers. At Deloitte's "Tech Trends 2026: The Future is Calling" event, industry leaders painted a picture of a technological landscape where AI permeates every aspect of business and daily life, from physical robotics to fundamental enterprise restructuring.
Leading technology voices Bill Briggs, Paula Goldman, Ming Hua, and Courtney Naudo presented Deloitte's latest annual trends report, outlining five interconnected themes that will define the coming year's technological evolution, with AI serving as the golden thread weaving through each.
When AI Gets Physical
The most tangible shift discussed was the emergence of AI in physical forms. Briggs emphasized that robotics is moving beyond industrial applications, with consumer-facing humanoid robots transitioning from science fiction to near-reality. This evolution requires sophisticated capabilities in perceiving and reacting to the real world, powered by digital twinning technology and world models that allow machines to simulate physical environments before acting.
"We're witnessing AI step off the screen and into our physical spaces," Briggs noted, highlighting how this convergence of artificial intelligence and robotics represents a fundamental shift in how technology interacts with our world.
The Promise of Autonomous Reasoning
The concept of "agentic AI" emerged as a critical theme—systems capable of reasoning autonomously toward outcomes rather than following rigid scripts. However, Goldman cautioned that realizing this promise requires substantial groundwork often invisible to end users.
"Success in agentic AI demands hard work under the surface," Goldman explained, pointing to core modernization efforts, technical debt resolution, and data quality improvements as essential prerequisites. The discussion also explored workforce implications, examining how humans and machines will collaborate in new ways, necessitating fresh approaches to organizational culture and human resources.
Infrastructure as Strategic Priority
Ming Hua addressed the massive investments flowing into AI infrastructure, from GPUs to specialized chipsets. What's notable is the elevation of these decisions from IT departments to boardrooms.
"Computation is no longer a commodity—it's a CEO-level strategic conversation," Hua stated, explaining how choices about data centers, cloud capabilities, and edge computing now carry broad business implications. The discussion also touched on quantum computing as an emerging technology that complements rather than replaces existing computational tools.
Technology as Revenue Driver
Perhaps the most dramatic shift outlined was what the speakers called "The Great Rebuild"—a fundamental transformation of enterprise technology functions. Naudo revealed that 65% of surveyed enterprises now expect their technology organizations to generate revenue rather than simply enable operations.
This transformation involves converging information technology, operational technology, and product technology, requiring new skill sets and strategic partnerships. The traditional "back-office" technology department is evolving into a front-line business driver.
Navigating the AI Dilemma
The event concluded with a sobering examination of AI's dual nature. The speakers explored both the "hero's journey"—where AI strengthens cybersecurity defenses and regulatory compliance—and the darker flip side, where AI creates new attack vectors and threats, particularly as it extends into physical infrastructure.
"We're facing both unprecedented opportunities and unprecedented risks," the panel acknowledged, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing ethics, privacy, and security concerns as AI capabilities expand.
Looking Ahead
The overarching message from Deloitte's Tech Trends 2026 event was clear: artificial intelligence is not simply another technology trend but a transformative force reshaping business operations, workforce dynamics, and strategic planning. Organizations that successfully navigate these five themes—physical AI, agentic systems, infrastructure investments, technology function transformation, and ethical implementation—will be positioned to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven economy.
As the event concluded, attendees left with both excitement about AI's potential and a realistic understanding of the substantial work required to harness it effectively and responsibly.
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