Forecasts highlight neocloud growth, digital employees, AI-driven coding, agentic operations, and adaptive automation redefining enterprise technology strategies and governance.

For the year ahead, various analysts have shared their predictions for cloud computing, enterprise software; software development; tech infrastructure and operations; and automation and robotics.

Starting off with cloud computing trends, Principal Analyst Lee Sustar has noted: “The rise of the AI-native cloud is driving massive business investments and remaking enterprise IT as its impact spreads across the economy and society. In 2026, we will see the AI-focused “neoclouds” capture new business alongside the hyperscaler cloud providers, who will counter with AI innovations around agentic capabilities. At the same time, governments and businesses will build guardrails around AI for sovereignty and privacy, making a significant impact on where and how they invest in cloud technology. The transition to the AI-native cloud will be bumpy as commodity cloud infrastructure comes under strain.”

  • Neoclouds” will grab US$20bn in revenue, eroding hyperscaler dominance in generative AI
  • At least 15% of enterprises will seek private AI to counter cloud grabs for corporate data
  • AI data center upgrades will trigger two major multiday cloud outages

Enterprise software trends

According to Linda Ivy-Rosser, our VP and Research Director: “If wondering whether reinventing enterprise applications means AI Agents become employees, then you recognize this is not just a thing. In 2026, enterprise apps will move beyond enabling employees with digital tools, to fully embracing and accommodating a digital workforce. For tech leaders, it will be time to mentally reconcile how far this market is able to digitalize entire business processes and whole workflows independently of their human colleagues. The top five human capital management platforms will offer digital employee management capabilities.” 

AI
  • AI will automate over 20% of enterprise application workflows
  • Half of enterprise resource planning vendors will launch autonomous governance modules
  • The top five human capital management platforms will offer digital employee management capabilities

Software development trends

According to Linda Ivy-Rosser, our VP and Research Director: “If wondering whether reinventing enterprise applications means AI Agents become employees, then you recognize this is not just a thing. In 2026, enterprise apps will move beyond enabling employees with digital tools, to fully embracing and accommodating a digital workforce. For tech leaders, it will be time to mentally reconcile how far this market is able to digitalize entire business processes and whole workflows independently of their human colleagues. The top five human capital management platforms will offer digital employee management capabilities.” 

  • The time needed to fill developer positions will double
  • Software development will become the number one use case for AI
  • Vibe coding will transform into vibe engineering by the end of 2026

Trends in tech infrastructure and operations

Michele Pelino, VP and Principal Analyst, is predicting: “We will see significant disruption driven by accelerated appetite for all things AI. Business demands of AI systems, network connectivity, AI-powered IT operations (i.e., AIOps), conversational AI-powered service desk and such are driving substantial changes that tech leaders must enable within organizations. To succeed in this dynamic environment, tech leaders must be ready for key AI initiatives and integrated network and security, driven by dedicated silicon chips, xAI, mergers and acquisition activities, and data centers.”

  • An agentic AI workflow will prevent a major outage autonomously 
  • Private AI factories will reach 20% adoption, and on-premises servers capture a 50% market share
  • 50% of security tool vendors will move into the secure LAN market

Automation and robotics

Finally, Leslie Joseph, Principal Analyst has noted: “The enterprise automation space is moving towards adaptive, AI-driven workflows, as the focus shifts from deterministic to cognitive autonomy. Individual automation markets such as robotic process automation, integration Platform-as-a-Service, and business process management have all but converged. The challenge for 2026 will be to figure out how to combine adaptive intelligence with proven controls, balancing innovation with trust. Enterprises that get this right will unlock speed and flexibility without sacrificing governance.”