University of Kwazulu-Natal

My Ai Predictions For 2026 Insights From The Frontlines

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
my ai predictions for 2026 insights from the frontlines

Having predicted AI trends, I share my six forecasts for 2026, focusing on innovation, competition, and ethical considerations. Just when you think you’ve grasped the extent of technology with computers that can place your dog in front of the Eiffel Tower or chatbots mimicking your closest friends (or even romantic partners), the... Having spent 15 years immersed in the AI landscape, I was an early beta tester for OpenAI back in 2020. At that time, I foresaw the revolutionary potential of a model named GPT-3. This model later emerged as what we now know as “ChatGPT”—a name you might recognize. I’ve also accurately anticipated several major AI trends, such as the explosion of video generators and the so-called “AI Wars” pitting Google against OpenAI.

Just when you think you’ve wrapped your mind around computers that can put your dog in front of the Eiffel Tower or chatbots that act like your best friend (or lover), the AI behemoths... I’ve worked in the AI space for 15 years. I served as an early beta tester for OpenAI in 2020, when I predicted that a little model called GPT-3 had world-changing potential. It was later released as something called “ChatGPT”–perhaps you’ve heard of it? I’ve also called several big AI trends correctly, including the rise of video generators and the “AI Wars” between Google and OpenAI. Based on my experience, here are my six AI predictions for 2026 and beyond.

As we head into 2026, AI is moving far beyond conversational chatbots and generating images and video. Intelligent agents are taking on real work, calling APIs, executing workflows and controlling physical devices, making decisions on our behalf, rather than merely responding in text. This shift means AI and GenAI are no longer something we “chat” or "generate" with, it has becoming an invisible collaborator embedded in our products, services and infrastructure. In 2026 enterprises and individuals will integrate these autonomous and micro-agents into everyday operations, while balancing governance, transparency and human oversight. In this end of year article I list my top 2026 AI predictions, which focus on AI and GenAI developments, and are likely to materialize in 2026. Here are my AI Predictions for 2026, from my notes for The AI Moment Podcast end of year prediction podcast

The hype trains stopped and will be distanced even further in 2026 Many will want to redefine what AGI is (again) More big companies will block certain AI More departments will block shadow AI and certain usage by Karl Freund | Dec 3, 2025 | In the News Nvidia’s headquarters in Santa Clara, Ca.

NVIDIA OK, I haven’t done this in a while; no excuse other than laziness. But here are ten concrete, defensible predictions for AI in 2026, with a bias toward things that materially matter for infra, enterprises, and policy. We’ve all heard the cry, “The Agents are coming! The Agents are coming!”, and this will be the largest theme in AI next year. By late 2026, many large enterprises will have at least one production agentic workflow (not just a POC) handling end‑to‑end tasks in support, finance, or operations.

Analyst estimates put the autonomous AI agent market around the mid‑single digit billions in 2026, growing several‑fold by 2030, so this will be visible in expense and capital budgets. We’re at a turning point with AI. Not the kind Silicon Valley likes to talk about, where innovation accelerates and markets explode but the kind which happens when reality catches up with ambition. Over the past two years, I’ve watched organisations race to deploy AI with a mix of excitement and inadequate preparation. Typically governance was an afterthought. Risk frameworks were borrowed from other domains and didn’t quite fit.

Security was playing catch-up. And regulation, mostly theoretical. As we head into 2026, AI isn’t just advancing its reshaping institutions, policies and how organisations manage risk. The honeymoon period is over. Here are my 5 predictions on AI for the new year ahead. For most organisations, AI governance has been treated like innovation theatre; flashy pilot projects, ethics committees with no teeth, and documents which look great in reports but don’t actually constrain behaviour.

People Also Search

Having Predicted AI Trends, I Share My Six Forecasts For

Having predicted AI trends, I share my six forecasts for 2026, focusing on innovation, competition, and ethical considerations. Just when you think you’ve grasped the extent of technology with computers that can place your dog in front of the Eiffel Tower or chatbots mimicking your closest friends (or even romantic partners), the... Having spent 15 years immersed in the AI landscape, I was an earl...

Just When You Think You’ve Wrapped Your Mind Around Computers

Just when you think you’ve wrapped your mind around computers that can put your dog in front of the Eiffel Tower or chatbots that act like your best friend (or lover), the AI behemoths... I’ve worked in the AI space for 15 years. I served as an early beta tester for OpenAI in 2020, when I predicted that a little model called GPT-3 had world-changing potential. It was later released as something ca...

As We Head Into 2026, AI Is Moving Far Beyond

As we head into 2026, AI is moving far beyond conversational chatbots and generating images and video. Intelligent agents are taking on real work, calling APIs, executing workflows and controlling physical devices, making decisions on our behalf, rather than merely responding in text. This shift means AI and GenAI are no longer something we “chat” or "generate" with, it has becoming an invisible c...

The Hype Trains Stopped And Will Be Distanced Even Further

The hype trains stopped and will be distanced even further in 2026 Many will want to redefine what AGI is (again) More big companies will block certain AI More departments will block shadow AI and certain usage by Karl Freund | Dec 3, 2025 | In the News Nvidia’s headquarters in Santa Clara, Ca.

NVIDIA OK, I Haven’t Done This In A While; No

NVIDIA OK, I haven’t done this in a while; no excuse other than laziness. But here are ten concrete, defensible predictions for AI in 2026, with a bias toward things that materially matter for infra, enterprises, and policy. We’ve all heard the cry, “The Agents are coming! The Agents are coming!”, and this will be the largest theme in AI next year. By late 2026, many large enterprises will have at...