McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2026

AI Is Becoming the Foundation of Technological Transformation

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) encompasses four main areas. Agentic AI ($9.9 billion in investment) enables autonomous planning and execution of multi-step tasks, interaction with enterprise systems, and adaptation to changing conditions.

Agentic software development ($4.9 billion) involves using AI to write, test, and debug software code.

AI for scientific research and engineering ($7.9 billion) accelerates hypothesis generation, modeling, and experimentation.

The technological foundation is provided by AI infrastructure and model architectures ($145 billion), including data centers, cloud platforms, and foundation models.

For reference: In 2025, investment in these four areas totaled $167.7 billion. Compared with 2024, the number of job postings increased by 952% in agentic AI, 221% in agentic software development, 18% in scientific research and engineering, and 47% in AI infrastructure.

Computing Power, Semiconductors, and Cybersecurity

The development of AI is increasing demand for specialized semiconductors ($41.6 billion in investment) designed to accelerate computing and improve energy efficiency. The co-design of chips and software for AI workloads is becoming increasingly important.

Advanced connectivity technologies ($60.5 billion) enable data transmission. Developments include 5G and 6G networks, satellite communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), and AI-managed networks.

At the same time, cybersecurity and digital system reliability ($77.5 billion) are becoming increasingly important. AI is used both to detect cyber threats and to carry out cyberattacks. This is driving demand for advanced identity management systems, zero-trust architectures, and quantum-resistant cryptography.

For reference: In 2025, combined investment in these areas reached $179.6 billion. The number of job postings increased by 22% in specialized semiconductors, 10% in advanced connectivity technologies, and 6% in cybersecurity.

Energy Is Becoming a Strategic Requirement for AI Development

The expansion of AI and data centers is increasing electricity demand. However, the growth of computing capacity is outpacing the development of power grids and energy infrastructure. Reliable electricity supply is becoming a factor in the competitiveness of the technology sector.

Future energy and sustainability technologies ($194.2 billion in investment) include energy storage systems, power grid modernization, nuclear energy, hydrogen technologies, and other low-carbon solutions.

For reference: In 2025, the number of job postings in future energy and sustainability technologies declined by 19% compared with 2024.

Robotics and Physical AI

Advances in AI, sensors, and control systems are accelerating the transition toward physical AI, enabling robots to navigate their environments autonomously, make decisions, and interact with humans.

Robotics ($19.5 billion in investment) is expanding the application of these technologies across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and services.

For industry, these developments create opportunities to increase productivity, automate production processes, and reduce reliance on manual labor.

For reference: In 2025, the number of job postings in robotics increased by 12% compared with 2024.

Mobility, Space, and Quantum Technologies

Future mobility technologies ($63.5 billion in investment) encompass electric vehicles, autonomous transportation, drones, intelligent control systems, and charging infrastructure, improving transportation efficiency and automation.

The space economy ($15.7 billion) includes satellite communications, Earth observation, and the development of space-based services, expanding capabilities for data transmission and monitoring.

Quantum technologies ($13.3 billion) offer opportunities for complex computing, simulation, secure communications, and high-precision measurements.

For reference: In 2025, combined investment in these three areas totaled $92.5 billion. Compared with 2024, the number of job postings declined by 11% in future mobility and 46% in quantum technologies.

Biotechnology and Engineering Solutions

Biological sciences and bioengineering ($101 billion in investment) combine advances in AI, biology, chemistry, and engineering to develop new pharmaceuticals, gene and cell therapies, diagnostic systems, and innovative materials.

The application of these technologies is expanding across healthcare, agriculture, and industry.

For reference: In 2025, the number of job postings in biological sciences and bioengineering declined by 10% compared with 2024.

Kamoliddin Nurmurodov

Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR)