From hype to added value: AI trends will shape the year 2026

In the last two years, most large companies have proven that AI can work. The challenge for 2026 is different: Can it function responsibly and economically throughout the company?

The panels ask tougher questions. How much does it cost to deliver each decision? How is the system governed? Where will AI actually make an impact beyond customer service, marketing and software development? Against this background, four trends will determine the coming year.

The inference costs will bite

As AI moves from training to everyday use, the discussion shifts to inference – the computing power and energy required to run models…