Seven trends to watch in 2026
11 MAR, 2026
By Stephen Freedman, Head of Research and Sustainability of Thematic Equities, Pictet Asset Management
Seven major trends are emerging as structural drivers for the coming years: health in the era of longevity, the role of artificial intelligence in supporting productivity, the rise of robotics, growing attention to healthier and more natural diets, the development of energy storage systems, investment in climate resilience, and the increasing centrality of cybersecurity in the age of AI.
Technological innovation and automation will be key drivers of growth, both to offset population aging and labor shortages, and to improve efficiency and productivity across many sectors—from healthcare to software development and advanced manufacturing.
At the same time, the energy transition continues at a sustained pace but requires significant progress in energy storage technologies. Meanwhile, the growing number of extreme climate events is making it increasingly urgent to invest in resilient infrastructure and climate-adaptation strategies.
Finally, the spread of artificial intelligence and digitalization is expanding risks related to data security and cyberattacks, making cybersecurity a strategic priority for governments and businesses and one of the sectors expected to experience the fastest growth in the coming years.
The major economic and social transformations of the coming years will be driven by a series of megatrends that are already reshaping the way we live, work, and produce. From population aging and the evolution of healthcare systems to the acceleration of artificial intelligence, robotics, and the energy transition, technological innovation, demographic change, and new environmental priorities are increasingly converging. In this context, several key trends are emerging that are set to have a significant impact on the economy, society, and consumption patterns in the years ahead.
Health in the age of longevity
We are living longer, which means the global population is aging. The challenge is ensuring that these extra years are spent in good health. This year, the oldest baby boomers will turn 80—an age at which healthcare spending increases significantly.
We expect healthcare prevention to become a central priority for governments, healthcare companies, and individuals. Preventive activity includes using data to predict disease vulnerability, designing broader and more effective screening programs, and tackling risk factors such as obesity and smoking.
According to research by Deloitte, proactive investment in disease prevention could provide every U.S. citizen with 15 additional years of healthy life. We also expect innovations in therapies and medical technology, with artificial intelligence accelerating drug discovery and diagnostics.
Boosting productivity with AI
While population aging is stimulating growth in the healthcare sector, it is also putting pressure on productivity. The last baby boomers are reaching retirement age, and labor shortages are expected to increase in the coming years.
Technology will play a key role in filling this gap through the development of agentic AI—machines capable of setting goals and performing tasks independently without human intervention.
We are already seeing the large-scale adoption of agentic AI services. For example, AI coding assistants have enabled enterprise software developers to increase productivity by 20–40%, while in customer service AI is helping improve efficiency and simplify processes.
The rise of robots
2026 could be a breakthrough year for robotics technology. Generative AI has transformed how robots interact with their environment, particularly in consumer-facing contexts.
Other developments in AI are shortening the research and development cycle for robotics and automation. In 2026, about 575,000 industrial robots are expected to be installed worldwide, compared with 555,000 the previous year.
We are also seeing strong growth in collaborative robots and humanoid robots, which are becoming popular in controlled work environments such as car factories and data centers, as well as in autonomous vehicles.
Several new autonomous vehicle models are expected to launch this year, along with the debut of robotaxis on the streets of London.
Healthy eating
When it comes to food, the trend is to “return to the origins.” Natural and locally sourced ingredients are becoming increasingly popular as people seek healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.
There is growing awareness of the risks associated with ultra-processed foods, reflected in popular movements such as Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) and in stricter government regulations on ingredients, labeling, and advertising.
The growing use of weight-loss drugs such as GLP-1 also appears to play a significant role. A study published earlier this year found that consumers who adopt appetite-suppressing medications are shifting their diets toward nutrient-rich natural foods such as yogurt and eggs.
Energy storage
The clean-energy revolution continues at a strong pace: electricity generated from non-fossil sources, such as renewables and nuclear power, now accounts for 41% of global electricity production.
One of the main obstacles to further progress is the intermittent nature of wind and solar energy. More effective energy storage solutions are needed to overcome what Germans call “Dunkelflaute”—cold, cloudy, windless days when renewable energy production is low.
This year we expect further progress in energy storage systems (ESS), ranging from large-scale batteries connected to wind and solar plants to smaller, increasingly affordable batteries for residential rooftop solar systems.
According to BloombergNEF, global energy storage capacity is growing by 23% per year. Innovations include extending the storage duration of lithium-ion batteries from six to eight hours and developing hydrogen-based storage solutions.
The road to resilience
Beyond trying to halt climate change, we must also become more resilient to its effects. Increasingly frequent extreme weather events are forcing governments to prioritize investments in resilient infrastructure, disaster prevention, and sustainable adaptation strategies.
In the past year alone, the world experienced more than 150 extreme weather events, causing global economic losses of around $320 billion—40% higher than the average annual losses of the past decade.
With the growing impact of climate change and environmental degradation, investing in adaptation and resilience—through measures such as rainwater pumping systems, energy-efficient building retrofits, and early-warning systems for floods and wildfires—is becoming just as crucial as efforts to mitigate global temperature increases.
Machine-to-machine learning
The more we use large language models (LLMs) at work or at home, the more potentially sensitive data we release into the world, creating a growing responsibility to keep that information secure.
At the same time, agentic AI is enabling increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional phishing emails may be easy to spot, but realistic messages or voice notes generated by AI can deceive even the most vigilant users.
Machines hacking other machines is becoming an emerging threat in data protection. This presents both a major challenge and a major opportunity for the cybersecurity industry, as companies can use AI-powered tools to defend organizations and consumers.
A hacker attack occurs every 39 seconds, and millions of data records are stolen every day through security breaches. According to Gartner, global cybersecurity spending is expected to grow by nearly 14% per year.
The challenge is to develop machines and software capable of defending us against other machines.
Taken together, these trends outline a profound transformation in which technology, sustainability, and demographic change intertwine to redefine economic and social priorities. From healthcare and industrial production to energy and digital security, the ability to adapt to these dynamics will be decisive for governments, businesses, and investors.
Understanding and anticipating these developments is not only about interpreting the present—it is also about identifying the opportunities that will shape the next phase of global economic growth.
