Our 2026 Top Technology Trends Report highlights the technologies rapidly becoming core to global innovation in 2026. We track the rise of AI-driven systems, advanced computing infrastructure, and secure digital environments. By analyzing patent activity, we show where innovation is accelerating, who is leading it, and how competitive positions are taking shape. The trends we outline reveal how AI, robotics, secure computing, neural interfaces, satellite networks, and large-scale compute systems are shaping the technologies that will define 2026.
Space Connectivity
Space-based direct-to-device (D2D) networks are transforming global connectivity, delivering broadband to areas beyond the reach of traditional fiber and cellular infrastructure. Unlike conventional networks that rely on towers and cables, D2D allows smartphones, vehicles, and IoT devices to connect directly to satellites, with ground stations linking traffic to terrestrial networks.
This shift is driving both industry activity and innovation. SpaceX is expanding its Starlink constellation and embedding satellite connectivity into consumer devices, while Viasat and Skylo launched the first global D2D network. Lynk Global and Omnispace are merging their satellite-to-phone technologies, and ventures like Space42–Viasat’s Equatys aim to deliver global messaging and IoT services.
Space Connectivity: Top Patent Filers, Assignees
Patent activity reflects this momentum, with Qualcomm, Huawei, AT&T, Samsung, and Oppo leading filings for satellite-ready chipsets, antennas, and non-terrestrial network protocols. Startups such as AST SpaceMobile, Lynk Global, Astrocast, and Hubble Network are advancing D2D and IoT connectivity, demonstrating the practical impact of these innovations.
Space Connectivity: Top Law Firms
U.S. patents on space-based internet is concentrated among a few key law firms, with Amin, Turocy & Watson leading in activity, followed by Holland & Hart and Harrity & Harrity, both showing significant engagement in related filings.
Agentic AI
Agentic AI is transforming artificial intelligence by enabling autonomous, goal-driven behavior across industries. Unlike traditional generative AI that responds to prompts, agentic systems can perceive, reason, act, and learn with minimal human supervision, executing complex tasks such as financial trades, logistics management, or clinical support.
Real-world use cases show agentic AI’s growing impact. Baidu deploys AI-powered digital employees, NVIDIA builds GPU-accelerated autonomous systems, and Accenture with Google Cloud automates enterprise workflows. In healthcare, Sirona Medical streamlines radiology, while CertisAI and Numerion Labs accelerate drug discovery by analyzing data and optimizing experiments. These examples highlight how agentic AI is moving from proof-of-concept to practical, transformative applications.
AI Supercomputers
Gartner identifies AI supercomputing platforms as a top technology trend for 2026. These AI supercomputers are reshaping how advanced models are trained and deployed.
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy unveiled supercomputers powered by tens of thousands of next-generation GPUs, while cloud providers like Google and Microsoft introduced AI-optimized datacenters for large foundation-model training.
NVIDIA dominates with nearly 5,000 patents across GPU architecture, memory hierarchies, and interconnect technologies, enabling large-scale clusters such as Argonne’s Solstice and Equinox. Intel provides Xeon CPUs and Gaudi accelerators for enterprise and government AI deployments, while Huawei develops Ascend processors and Atlas infrastructure for domestic AI compute. Oracle and IBM contribute scalable cloud and HPC systems for foundation-model training, research, and enterprise applications.
Physical AI
Physical AI is extending artificial intelligence into the real world, enabling robots and machines to sense, reason, and act autonomously. Recent developments such as NVIDIA’s Jetson Thor and Isaac Sim platforms are enhancing edge computing and realistic robot simulation, while investments from Figure AI, Apptronik, and Skild AI, alongside SoftBank’s acquisition of ABB Robotics, signal that Physical AI is becoming a core pillar of next-generation automation.
Patent filings in Physical AI have grown steadily, with NVIDIA, LG Electronics, Intel, and Strong Force Innovation Portfolios leading the space. In healthcare, Cilag International, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (J&J), integrates robotics and AI for surgical applications, illustrating how Physical AI is moving from prototype to real-world, scalable deployment across industries.
Gartner identifies this as a top technology trend for 2026.
Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are transforming neurotechnology by creating direct communication between the brain and external systems. Over the past decade, advances in BCI have enabled applications from healthcare to industrial and consumer uses.
Clinical progress includes Neuralink, Synchron, Blackrock Neurotech, and Paradromics advancing implantable devices for speech restoration, motor control, and neuroprosthetics. In 2025, regulatory approvals such as Paradromics’ FDA IDE and Precision Neuroscience’s 510(k) clearance demonstrated both clinical feasibility and regulatory confidence, highlighting BCI’s potential.
Confidential Computing
Confidential computing enables data to be processed in hardware-protected, isolated environments. By securing workloads in Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), organizations can process sensitive data without exposure, even in untrusted cloud or multi-party settings.
Leading assignees include Intel, Microsoft, Huawei, Cisco, and Samsung, highlighting expertise in silicon-level security, cloud infrastructure, and device-level protection. Intel dominates with SGX and TDX technologies, Microsoft drives confidential VMs and workload orchestration, and Huawei, Cisco, and Samsung advance secure execution for cloud, edge, and mobile environments.
2026 Technology Trends Report
In our 2026 Technology Trends Report, we complement industry perspectives with patent insights, highlighting top filers, assignees, and the leading law firms representing innovators across these emerging technology areas.
Download the report for free: 2026 Technology Trends Report.
