Confluent Predictions

How leaders are staying ahead of the next wave of AI transformation

2026 Is the Year of AI Execution

The Confluent 2026 Predictions Report explores what’s coming in the year ahead, as the agentic AI era matures and enterprises race to make AI work at scale. Developed by industry experts, Confluent’s Technology Strategy Group, and our partner ecosystem, this report uncovers and explains the trends shaping the future of data infrastructure and intelligent automation—from breaking down data silos to driving measurable ROI.

Discover what to expect in 2026’s rapidly evolving data landscape and learn how to prepare your organization for the next phase of AI innovation.

Get your copy of the Confluent 2026 Predictions Report

Explore the Key Trends Shaping the Next Wave of Enterprise AI

Agentic systems will redefine commerce, context, and computation

The focus will shift from building smarter models to embedding AI directly into workflows, customer experiences, and business logic.

Learn more

Tomorrow’s AI winners will be built on better data architecture

As AI scales, data systems are under pressure to keep up. Organizations will re-architect around real-time and cost-efficient platforms built to fuel continuous intelligence.

Learn more

Securing and standardizing the AI era is a top priority

As AI grows more powerful and pervasive, so do the risks. Expect a surge in cyber threats, new regulatory pressures, and a renewed push for enterprise-wide data governance.

Learn more

AI will modernize what’s been holding enterprises back

From reducing tech debt to modernizing legacy systems, 2026 will see enterprises use AI to rebuild the foundation of digital business for long-term agility.

Learn more

Real-Time Data Will Power the Next Wave of AI Innovation

In 2025, organizations raced to bring agentic AI systems capable of reasoning, making decisions, and taking actions to production—yet many AI projects failed. The promise of transformative automation met the reality of fragmented data, complex governance, and immature ecosystems.

As we move into 2026, the focus is shifting from experimentation to execution. The next phase of AI innovation will be defined by how well organizations can unify, mobilize, and trust their data in real time.

Graphically enhanced image with a blue gradient overlay showing two business people walking down the stairs in an office building

Register for the 2026 Predictions Webinar

Join this interactive session with leading industry experts to discuss what the future holds for data and AI and how your organization can prepare for this new era. Learn how to build the data foundation your AI future depends on in 2026.

Save My Spot

Stock image with a blue gradient overlay showing a man reading a report on his laptop