'It's time to demand AI that is safe by design': What AI experts think will matter most in 2026

Tech moves fast, but AI moves faster. In 2025, everything shifted with new models, new features, new controversies, and new fears.

So instead of trying to predict the next big breakthrough, I wanted to know what the people closest to AI are actually watching for in 2026. What’s accelerating, what’s getting riskier, and what needs to change?

I spoke to experts working across AI ethics, psychology, and real-world implementation. Their answers weren’t about one killer feature or trend. They were about the messier stuff: trust, emotional attachment, and whether we can really work alongside AI long-term.

1) Expect faster progress – and higher emotional stakes

Most experts expect the pace of AI development to keep climbing. “I think ...