We keep our ear to the ground for the interesting stats, insights and discussion points you need to feel in the know to shape the future with confidence.

1. Charging into reality

Turns out the electric dream is hitting a speed bump. Half of global car buyers now plan to stick with internal combustion engines, a sharp 13-point climb from last year. Battery electric vehicles have slipped to just 14% preference, as range anxiety and charging headaches keep confidence in the slow lane. Even loyal EV owners admit to second thoughts, while first-timers balk at battery costs. Meanwhile, connected tech like safety and navigation is stealing the spotlight, though nearly four in ten say the price tag stings. The takeaway? The future of mobility looks less like a straight charge and more like a mixed grid.

Global consumers driven back to ICE vehicles as EV enthusiasm cools: EY research

2. Factory reset

Forget slow revolutions; this one is coming fast. In just three to five years, artificial intelligence, connected systems, and bold business models will flip the industrial world on its head. Picture HVAC units sold as “comfort-as-a-service” instead of hardware that gathers dust. Robots? They’re learning on the fly, cutting changeovers to almost nothing. Meanwhile, back-office AI is quietly pulling strings, boosting cash flow and trimming costs by up to 60%. This isn’t just about smarter machines; it’s about ecosystems where intelligence runs the show. When the rules reset, will you be rewriting them or just catching up over coffee?

Resetting the rules: AI’s role in the next Industrial revolution

3. Watt’s next?

Over half of car buyers are drifting back to gas. Why? Charging gaps, rising costs, policy chaos. Meanwhile, 78% of EV owners would stick with electric, despite reliability and cost headaches. Bottom line: people need to trust EVs and see real value. That’s where Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) comes in. This tech lets parked EVs send power back to the grid, turning cars into money-makers. Drivers in pilot programs are earning hundreds, even thousands, a year. For businesses with fleets, V2G cuts costs and speeds up payback. Plus, it helps keep the lights on, supports clean energy, and reduces strain on the grid. To make this big, automakers, utilities, and tech companies need to work together. Keep it simple, make it automatic, and build trust. The future isn’t just electric. It’s smart, profitable, and ready for bold moves.

Does Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) hold the key to unlocking EV’s full potential?

4. All aboard

The AI hype train has left the station. Tech leaders aren’t asking if AI will change the game; they’re asking how fast can we cash in? Companies are racing to prove ROI through bold moves like mergers, alliances, and AI-powered products that work across platforms and even physical environments. Interoperability is the new superpower, and physical AI is pushing automation to the edge. Safe and reliable AI is no longer optional. It is mission critical. Governance is baked into workflows, and business models are flipping to outcome-based pricing. Customers want frictionless, transparent value, not subscriptions. 2026 is the year to scale responsibly. Here are the top 10 opportunities for tech companies…

Top 10 opportunities for technology companies in 2026

5. 2026 remix

Forget endless scrolling, 2026 is all about making entertainment effortless. Streaming and cable are finally shaking hands, giving viewers the simplicity they’ve been begging for. AI is working overtime behind the scenes but here’s the twist: trust is tanking, with confidence in news scraping bottom at 28%. Authenticity is now the VIP pass everyone wants. And while screens still matter, experiences are stealing the spotlight. Think live events, immersive parks, and creator-led ecosystems. The takeaway? Companies that mix convenience with credibility and sprinkle in a little magic beyond the screen will own the stage…

2026 M&E trends: simplicity, authenticity, and the rise of experiences

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