10 Technology Trends That Will Impact Companies in 2026

The rapid advancement of technology redefines, year after year, how companies operate, connect with customers, and execute strategies. In 2026, this dynamic intensifies with innovations that move beyond technical trends to generate direct impact on governance, operational efficiency, and competitiveness.

Businesses of all sizes are already experiencing this shift in practice: more systems, more data, more AI — and at the same time, more operational complexity. In this context, the competitive edge lies not only in adopting new technologies but in orchestrating them in an integrated, secure, and results-driven way.

Strategically adopting these innovations requires planning and risk analysis, but above all, the ability to execute and deliver returns in short cycles. In this scenario, Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes the central pillar, evolving from isolated assistants to agents capable of executing decisions within governed business flows.
In this article, we’ll explore how the most promising technology trends will integrate into the daily operations of businesses — from artificial intelligence to digital sustainability — and what actions are expected from leaders seeking more efficiency, security, and impact from 2026 onwards.

What are the main technology trends for 2026?

Forecasts point to the consolidation of emerging technologies with direct application in business operations. Below are the 10 most relevant technology trends for those leading IT, operations, or strategy in 2026:

1. Generative Artificial Intelligence applie1. Generative Artificial Intelligence Applied to Business

Generative AI is evolving from an experimental resource to a structural component of operations. In 2026, tools based on large language models and multimodality will be increasingly embedded into processes such as:

• Customer service with natural and contextualized interactions;
• Data analysis and generation of operational and strategic reports;
• Automated content production for departments such as marketing, compliance, and legal.
  

The main breakthrough lies not only in content generation, but in the ability of AI Agents to operate within workflows, executing actions based on context, business rules, and corporate policies.

This shift marks a leap from traditional assistants, allowing AI to move from merely suggesting to actually executing — with governance and traceability.

Platforms like Pipefy already enable this model by integrating agents capable of classifying demands, executing tasks, and automatically escalating exceptions — reducing SLAs and rework in critical processes.

2. Quantum Computing with Commercial Focus

Though still in early stages, quantum computing is beginning to leave the academic realm and enter the agendas of CIOs and CTOs. Specific commercial applications are already gaining traction in sectors such as:

• Complex financial portfolio management;
• Logistics optimization involving multiple variables;
• Predictive simulations for insurance and investments.
  

Businesses tracking this evolution today are more likely to benefit in the medium term from substantial gains in analytical power, calculation speed, and complex scenario modeling.

3. Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) and Real-Time Connectivity

Industrial IoT is gaining momentum, driven by more affordable sensors, 5G networks, and interoperable protocols. In environments such as production lines, distribution centers, and facilities, asset connectivity is becoming essential for:

• Predictive machine monitoring;
• Automated environmental control;
• Integration with systems like ERP, MES, and EAM.
  

This connected infrastructure supports more resilient, auditable, and real-time data-driven operations, laying the groundwork for more reliable automated decisions.

4. Multimodal AI Platforms for Analysis and Decision-Making

The shift to multimodal platforms — combining text, image, video, and voice — marks a new milestone for corporate AI. These solutions will be used in:

• Command centers with integrated dashboards and voice assistants;
• Legal analysis tools and contract management across multiple formats;
• Accessibility features powered by AI.
  

The integration of different types of information accelerates decision-making and improves insight into operational and regulatory scenarios — especially in critical contexts.

5. Cybersecurity Based on Predictive AI

With attack surfaces expanding, corporate cybersecurity is increasingly relying on AI to anticipate, detect, and respond to threats in real time. Predictive AI models are already being applied to:

• Identify abnormal behavior in networks and endpoints;
• Automate incident response;
• Reduce detection (MTTD) and response times (MTTR).
  

Beyond reacting to attacks, the trend is to embed security directly into corporate processes and policies, ensuring continuous protection without compromising agility.

6. Edge Computing

The decentralization of data processing is solidifying as a strategy for critical applications. Edge computing is gaining traction in sectors that demand fast responses, such as:

• Industry 4.0, with local equipment control;
• Retail, for real-time personalization;
• Healthcare, with connected devices in clinical environments.
  

By reducing latency and cloud dependency, companies enhance reliability, resilience, and efficiency in data usage.

7. Hybrid Cloud and Distributed Architectures

The transition to distributed architectures — combining public cloud, private cloud, and on-premise environments — is already happening. This model offers:

• Greater control over sensitive data;
• Elasticity to scale resources as needed;
• Cost optimization across critical and non-critical workloads.
  

No-code automation and orchestration platforms like Pipefy integrate naturally into this ecosystem, connecting legacy and modern systems without compromising governance or security.

• Want to see how these trends are already being applied in practice?
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8. Immersive Environments and Extended Reality (XR)

Extended reality (XR) — combining AR, VR, and MR — is gaining traction in corporate environments, especially in:

• Technical training in simulated environments;
• Visualization of projects and industrial facilities;
• Interactive onboarding and sales experiences.
  

Companies with distributed operations or complex assets are finding in these environments new ways to accelerate training and reduce operational risks.

9. Blockchain and Corporate Smart Contracts

Blockchain is expanding beyond cryptocurrencies and beginning to transform internal processes — especially contract management. It’s already commonly used for:

• Traceability of assets and transactions;
• Automatic execution of clauses via smart contracts;
• Integrity assurance in supply chains.
  

These mechanisms enhance transparency, strengthen audits, and reduce disputes in B2B relationships.

10. Digital Sustainability and Green Technology

Digital sustainability is becoming a strategic pillar in corporate technology. Initiatives include:

• Reducing carbon footprint from data centers and infrastructures;
• Selecting suppliers aligned with ESG practices;
• Adopting more energy-efficient solutions.
  

Beyond meeting regulatory requirements, these actions strengthen a company’s reputation and appeal to investors and consumers.

How How Will Artificial Intelligence Evolve in Corporate Operations?

AI maturity is shifting from assistive to autonomous and governed models. This means evolving from systems that merely respond to commands to agents that understand context, prioritize actions, and continuously learn — always operating within rules, SLAs, and corporate policies.

For companies, this evolution offers:

• Reduced human dependency for repetitive operational tasks;
• Greater control over data, decisions, and audits;
• Scalability without proportionally growing the team.
  

In this model, Pipefy acts as a true AI Enabler, empowering teams to design and orchestrate workflows with AI agents in a no-code, integrated, and secure environment — delivering measurable results in days, not months.

Why Is Keeping Up With Technology Trends Strategic?

Ignoring these trends means losing efficiency and competitiveness. Following them, however, doesn’t mean adopting everything immediately — but rather assessing the operational impact and ROI of each initiative.

For IT leaders, CFOs, and Heads of Operations, this means:

• Prioritizing investments based on ROI and real impact;
• Reducing operational and technological risks;
• Gaining predictability in process and automation evolution.
  

How to Prepare Your Company for 2026?

Companies that want to extract real value from emerging technologies should focus on a few key pillars:

• IT Governance: Map regulatory risks and define clear security policies.
• Scalable Architecture: Invest in hybrid cloud and interoperable solutions.
• Data Culture: Promote data literacy and information governance.
• Multidisciplinary Teams: Integrate business, operations, and IT from diagnosis through execution.
• Controlled Experimentation: Conduct pilots with clear success metrics.

Pipefy: AI Applied to Operations with Security and Control

Companies looking to structure their technology journey with agility and governance rely on Pipefy as a strategic partner. Our platform offers:

• Ready-made workflow templates adaptable to different areas;
• AI agents that automatically classify, execute, and optimize tasks;
• Secure integrations with ERPs and critical systems.
  

By orchestrating end-to-end processes with AI, workflows, and no-code tools, Pipefy empowers companies to turn technology into operational execution with measurable ROI, delivering results in days — not months.

Schedule a free Pipefy demo today: