2026 Tech Forecast

Know what’s coming next. Prepare with confidence.

AI is swallowing junior roles. Cyber threats are scaling with machine efficiency. Budgets are tightening, while expectations climb. In times like these, being prepared is your real advantage.

Based on predictions from 1,500+ tech insiders, business leaders, and Pluralsight Authors, the 2026 Tech Forecast shows you what’s shifting fastest and how to stay ahead. 

2026 Tech Report
AI bubble won't pop yet
AI reality check

The AI bubble won’t pop just yet. But it will start to sag.

In 2025, 95% of orgs saw zero return on their GenAI investments. Too many treated AI like a product to buy, not a solution to build. In 2026, the companies that’ll thrive will pivot from tools to talent. That means training teams to solve problems, not just use new tech.

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I believe there will be another AI winter, and I think the rush towards AI is a massive risk for the tech industry as a whole. The solutions are to continue to train people to become world-class designers and developers, so the upcoming generation of tech people can deal with the fallout and continue to build great solutions.
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Mike McQuillan

Pluralsight Author, Head of IT at Halls, and Data and Software Development Specialist

The cyber burden

Security teams are stretched thin, and the threats will keep multiplying

Cybersecurity is reaching a breaking point. AI-powered social engineering attacks are becoming more personalized, automated, and frequent, while burnout and skills gaps continue to widen. In 2026, defending your organization will require better tools and smarter, upskilled teams.

Security teams are stretched thin
AI skills for jobs forecast
Tech skills crunch

AI isn’t just disrupting jobs, it’s eroding skills

Entry-level roles are getting the squeeze, leaving fewer ways to break into tech. Seasoned pros risk losing sharpness as AI takes over daily tasks. The result is a widening skills and job satisfaction gap that only leaders who prioritize learning and internal growth will be able to close.
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My biggest concern is that we’re innovating faster than we’re educating. The gap between AI capability and AI literacy is widening. Without intentional upskilling, ethical oversight, and transparent governance, we risk building systems we can’t fully explain or control. The solution starts with culture—embedding AI literacy, accountability, and continuous learning into every level of the organization.
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Kesha Williams

AWS Machine Learning Hero, Senior Director of Enterprise Architecture and Engineering at Slalom, and Pluralsight Author

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