Emerging AI Trends

A 2025-2026 Synthesis

Abstract

This paper synthesizes emerging trends in physical and agentic AI, infrastructure, organizational transformation, cybersecurity, and regulation. Milestones in 2025 highlight the broad adoption of multimodal and agentic AI, as well as early regulatory actions. So far in 2026, agentic coding automation has advanced, with tools that enable end-to-end planning, coding, and debugging. In the U.S., no single “AI Act” has passed, but lawmakers and agencies have advanced standards, testing, and procurement oversight as the AGI race tightens. This synthesis aims to guide researchers and practitioners navigating AI’s near-term trajectory.