5 Trends for 2026

5 Trends for 2026: Capture Fleeting Opportunities with Confidence explores five technology and business trends IBM believes leaders should watch as AI, geopolitical uncertainty, workforce expectations, data sovereignty, and quantum computing reshape organizations. Drawing on surveys of more than 1,000 C-suite executives and 8,500 employees and consumers, the report examines how agentic AI can improve decision-making, why employees are seeking greater AI adoption, how transparency drives consumer trust, why AI sovereignty is becoming essential to resilience, and how partnerships will be critical to realizing quantum advantage. The research offers strategies for organizations to become more agile, build AI-ready workforces, strengthen governance and resilience, and prepare for emerging technologies.