University of Kwazulu-Natal

8 Ai Agent Trends For 2026 You Need To Prepare For Now

Bonisiwe Shabane
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8 ai agent trends for 2026 you need to prepare for now

Much has been written about AI agents in 2025, and in 2026, we can expect to see them begin to emerge into mainstream use in a big way. Agents represent the next generational leap forward for AI, following the generative AI revolution that has taken place over the past two years. Rather than simply answering questions, chatting or generating content (like ChatGPT, for example), they are capable of taking action. This means carrying out complex multi-step tasks, interacting with third-party systems and working towards long-term goals with minimum human interaction. In 2026, we’ll get more insight into whether this represents further progress towards true Artificial General Intelligence, AI with human-level adaptability, able to generalize learning from one task and use it to work out... But what’s certain is that they’ll play an increasingly prominent role in our lives, helping us work more efficiently and spend time more productively, while also throwing up new challenges around trust and ethical...

In 2025, enterprise AI advanced from simply responding to prompts and generating text to a new phase in which digital agents can take action, not just talk. The rise of “vibe coding” is a trend in which generative AI generates code from plain-language requests. It has made software development easier for many people, but it has also raised concerns about security and reliability. At the same time, businesses must deal with “workslop,” which means low-quality AI output that forces workers to spend hours checking the very tools that are supposed to save them time. As we move into 2026, the momentum around AI is clear. A new Salesforce study shows that AI adoption among CIOs has increased by 282%, indicating strong interest in the technology.

However, many leaders are still cautious about fully embracing an agent-first strategy. The main issue is data trust, which has become the biggest obstacle. Leaders are balancing the risks of allowing autonomous actions with the clear benefits of scaling their operations. The key question now is not whether agents will change how work is done, but how organizations will manage, trust, and work alongside them. The future of agentic AI: proactive, multi-agent systems Bernard Marr is a world-renowned futurist, influencer and thought leader in the fields of business and technology, with a passion for using technology for the good of humanity.

He is a best-selling and award-winning author of over 20 books, writes a regular column for Forbes and advises and coaches many of the world’s best-known organisations. He has a combined following of 5 million people across his social media channels and newsletters and was ranked by LinkedIn as one of the top 5 business influencers in the world. Bernard Marr ist ein weltbekannter Futurist, Influencer und Vordenker in den Bereichen Wirtschaft und Technologie mit einer Leidenschaft für den Einsatz von Technologie zum Wohle der Menschheit. Er ist Bestsellerautor von 20 Büchern, schreibt eine regelmäßige Kolumne für Forbes und berät und coacht viele der weltweit bekanntesten Organisationen. Er hat über 2 Millionen Social-Media-Follower, 1 Million Newsletter-Abonnenten und wurde von LinkedIn als einer der Top-5-Business-Influencer der Welt und von Xing als Top Mind 2021 ausgezeichnet. Bernards neueste Bücher sind ‘Künstliche Intelligenz im Unternehmen: Innovative Anwendungen in 50 Erfolgreichen Unternehmen’

Much has been written about AI agents in 2025, and in 2026, we can expect to see them begin to emerge into mainstream use in a big way. Agents represent the next generational leap forward for AI, following the generative AI revolution that has taken place over the past two years. Rather than simply answering questions, chatting or generating content (like ChatGPT, for example), they are capable of taking action. Turn ideas into powerful digital products Build products that perform optimally in normal and extreme load conditions Turn ideas into powerful digital products

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