Source: Reuters Institute

Reuters Institute provides a comprehensive forecast for 2026, a year predicted to be a turning point for artificial intelligence. Experts from Stanford and major tech firms converge on the theme that "AI evangelism" is giving way to "AI evaluation." Capabilities are advancing at an unprecedented speed—referred to as "AI takeoff"—where models like Claude and ChatGPT are autonomously executing complex projects that previously took humans days to complete. This transition moves AI from an isolated tool to a coherent, adaptive, and trusted backbone of the digital economy, reshaping everything from software development to national security strategies.

Geopolitically, 2026 will intensify the race between the U.S. and China, while other nations push for "AI sovereignty" to maintain control over their data and domestic GPUs. The rise of agentic AI will transform how individuals interact with information, moving toward screenless, audio-based conversational experiences. As publishers and enterprises realize that it is no longer about "adding AI to workflows" but "getting added to AI," the focus shifts to measurable impact, token optimization, and the establishment of durable foundations for future growth. The upcoming year marks the moment when AI finally confronts its actual utility in the real world.