Abstract
Introduction
If 2025 was defined by the continued rise of generative AI and growing concern regarding its vulnerabilities, 2026 looks set to be the year in which AI becomes more embedded in the physical world, more autonomous, and ever more entwined with geopolitics.
Each quarter, the CETaS team meets with government and industry partners to reflect on recent and future technological trends that could have implications for national security and defence. Last year’s meetings revealed several recurring themes, painting a picture of the ways in which emerging technology could impact these sectors in 2026. Here are four themes to look out for in the year ahead: