Technology set to transform life in 2026

As highlighted by Joanna Stern, Nicole Nguyen, and Christopher Mims, 2026 promises a year of transformative technology, blending advances in AI, robotics, neurotech, and consumer electronics with fresh challenges in cybersecurity and healthcare.

While artificial intelligence remains a key driver of innovation, the authors emphasise that the year will also bring breakthroughs beyond the AI bubble, from foldable iPhones to electric supercars, The Wall Street Journal writes.

Apple is set to stage a major comeback for Siri. Following years of delays and executive changes, including the departure of AI chief John Giannandrea and the arrival of Amar Subramanya from Microsoft, Apple is rebuilding Siri on a new architecture, reportedly incorporating Google’s Gemini AI. The goal is to create a smarter, more capable assistant that can finally shed the “stupid Siri” reputation.

Robotics are gradually leaving the lab and entering homes. Startups 1X and Sunday Robotics plan limited in-home trials of humanoid robots, designed to tackle chores such as laundry and dishwashing. While early versions may rely on remote human operators, the move signals a push toward autonomous home robots. AI-powered wearables and smart glasses, including Google’s Gemini glasses and Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta frames, will expand the ecosystem of everyday AI gadgets.

Cybersecurity faces escalating threats as AI empowers hackers to generate sophisticated malware. Experts warn that state-sponsored actors and inexperienced hackers alike can exploit AI to craft deepfakes, phishing campaigns, and self-adapting malware capable of evading detection. Google has even encountered attempts to weaponise its Gemini model, highlighting the growing challenge of securing AI-driven systems.

On the consumer side, Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18, addressing common foldable design issues like screen creases. The device could boost global foldable smartphone shipments by up to 30% in 2026, with a projected price exceeding $2,000.

Beyond hardware, AI is moving toward “world models” that allow systems to learn by interacting with virtual environments rather than relying solely on existing datasets. Startups like Pathway and Safe Superintelligence are exploring novel architectures, potentially redefining AI capabilities in the coming years.

Other innovations include space-based internet competition, digital IDs for secure verification, mind-reading neurotech from Merge Labs and Cognixion, autonomous vehicles expanding into more cities, and DIY healthcare tools that leverage AI for at-home diagnostics. Meanwhile, electric supercars from Polestar, Alpine, Porsche, and Ferrari promise unprecedented performance, redefining the EV market.

In summary, 2026 is poised to blend futuristic technologies with real-world applications, offering both excitement and new challenges. The year will test the boundaries of AI, robotics, neurotech, and mobility, shaping a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

By Aghakazim Guliyev