Tech Trends to Watch in 2026

The AI Bubble, Digital’s Conversational Future, and Regulatory Battles

Report by Jacob Bourne  | Dec 10, 2025

Top Trends to Watch in 2026

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Need-to-Know Trends Reshaping the Digital Future

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Table of Contents
The AI boom won’t mean doom in 2026, but we’ll see a market correction
Voice assistant wars heat up as Apple’s AI-enhanced Siri enters the ring
More AI companion devices will come to market, but consumers aren’t ready
AI regulation will head toward a federal-state showdown in 2026
EMARKETER Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery
About This Report
AI enters 2026 facing energy bottlenecks, regulatory battles, and a gap between promise and performance. From market corrections to voice assistant limits and physical AI’s unreadiness, hype is meeting reality.
Topics
Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Worldwide
Table of Contents
The AI boom won’t mean doom in 2026, but we’ll see a market correction
Voice assistant wars heat up as Apple’s AI-enhanced Siri enters the ring
More AI companion devices will come to market, but consumers aren’t ready
AI regulation will head toward a federal-state showdown in 2026
EMARKETER Interviews
Sources
Media Gallery

The tech landscape will face challenges on multiple fronts in 2026. AI-related energy constraints will hinder infrastructure build-out as federal and state governments clash over regulatory authority. Meanwhile, AI companion devices will flood the market despite uncertain consumer appetite.

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    Table of Contents

    1. The AI boom won’t mean doom in 2026, but we’ll see a market correction
    2. Voice assistant wars heat up as Apple’s AI-enhanced Siri enters the ring
    3. More AI companion devices will come to market, but consumers aren’t ready
    1. AI regulation will head toward a federal-state showdown in 2026
    2. EMARKETER Interviews
    3. Sources
    1. Media Gallery

    Charts in This Report

    AI Server Rack Power Needs Will Soar to 600 kW by 2027, Enough to Power About 600 US HomesSiri Will Overtake Google Assistant in Number of US Users in 2026
    AI Companion App Releases Surge, Rising Eightfold Between 2022 and 2025The State of Global AI Regulation, (AI laws and proposed regulations worldwide, by country, Q3 2025)

    Interviewed for This Report

    Yelena Ambartsumian
    Ambart Law PLLC
    Founding Attorney
    Interviewed November 17, 2025
    J. Brooks
    GlassView
    Founder and CEO
    Interviewed November 17, 2025
    Ash Costello
    Gunnercooke LLP
    Partner
    Interviewed November 19, 2025
    Jeannette Eicks
    The Colleges of Law
    Associate Dean, Graduate Programs and Professor of Law
    Interviewed November 18, 2025
    Reiko Feaver
    CM Law PLLC
    Partner
    Interviewed November 21, 2025
    Kirk Sigmon
    Partner
    Banner Witcoff
    Interviewed November 18, 2025
    Milo Speranzo
    Lenovo
    CMO, North America
    Interviewed November 20, 2025
    Lexi Sydow
    The ATTN Economy
    Chief Analyst
    Interviewed November 12, 2025

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    authors

    Jacob Bourne

    Contributors

    Eleni Digalaki
    Chris Keating
    Kyndall Krist
    Senior Copy Editor
    Carina Lamb
    Penelope Lin
    Director, Data Visualization
    Wendy Malloy
    Director, Reports Editor
    Emma Noyes
    Graphic Designer, Data Visualization
    Emman Velasco
    Chart Editor
    Jherr Daven Velasco
    Researcher
    Yoram Wurmser
    Principal Analyst