B2B Tech Future Focus - 2026
An annual report bringing to light what matters to IT decision-makers around the world and the future trends likely to dominate 2026
The key challenges, opportunities, and trends facing ITDMs in the year ahead.
We’ve spoken to hundreds of IT decision makers (ITDMs) to get their thoughts on historic problems and investment decisions, to help build a full picture of what is changing in tech, and why.
In this report, you will find out:
- Tech and investment priorities
- Top five focus areas in 2026
- How decisions are made and tech deployed
- What are the success indicators in a buyer/vendor relationship
Download this report to gain insight and make informed decisions that drive business value both now and in the future.
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The agentic identity crisisITPro Podcast With millions of AI agents being deployed, how can security teams maintain oversight and governance?
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Are we facing an AI-fueled talent pipeline crisis?In-depth As experts say AI is reducing entry-level roles, what does this mean for the seniors of tomorrow and the future of business?
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Why Anthropic sent software stocks into freefallNews Anthropic's sector-specific plugins for Claude Cowork have investors worried about disruption to software and services companies
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What the UK's new Centre for AI Measurement means for the future of the industryNews The project, led by the National Physical Laboratory, aims to accelerate the development of secure, transparent, and trustworthy AI technologies
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Half of agentic AI projects are still stuck at the pilot stage – but that’s not stopping enterprises from ramping up investmentNews Organizations are stymied by issues with security, privacy, and compliance, as well as the technical challenges of managing agents at scale
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What Anthropic's constitution changes mean for the future of ClaudeNews The developer debates AI consciousness while trying to make Claude chatbot behave better
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Satya Nadella says a 'telltale sign' of an AI bubble is if it only benefits tech companies – but the technology is now having a huge impact in a range of industriesNews Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appears confident that the AI market isn’t in the midst of a bubble, but warned widespread adoption outside of the technology industry will be key to calming concerns.
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Workers are wasting half a day each week fixing AI ‘workslop’News Better staff training and understanding of the technology is needed to cut down on AI workslop
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Retailers are turning to AI to streamline supply chains and customer experience – and open source options are proving highly popularNews Companies are moving AI projects from pilot to production across the board, with a focus on open-source models and software, as well as agentic and physical AI
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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wants an end to the term ‘AI slop’ and says 2026 will be a ‘pivotal year’ for the technology – but enterprises still need to iron out key lingering issuesNews Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella might want the term "AI slop" shelved in 2026, but businesses will still be dealing with increasing output problems and poor returns.
