Last November, we identified 11 trends we expected to shape the business landscape in 2026. Our Trends 2026 update reveals where expectations are holding, where surprises have emerged, and what businesses should watch through year-end.

Gen Z is embracing AI, but trust in the technology still lags. Even as the tool increasingly shapes work and life habits, traditional search remains the go-to for Gen Z purchase decisions.

Pennsylvania argues in a new lawsuit that Character.AI’s “psychiatrist” bots cross into illegal practice, not just risky advice.

59% of US teens ages 13-17 say they have used ChatGPT, meaning a majority of the next generation of consumers is already turning to AI chatbots, according to a December report from Pew Research Center.

Disney will invest $1 billion in OpenAI and allow Sora users to create short-form videos featuring more than 200 Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars characters. User-generated material opens a new potential spigot of low-cost content for Disney+, which is under increased pressure to compete with YouTube. The move marks a major shift for a conglomerate that has historically held its IP close to the chest.

AI enters 2026 facing energy bottlenecks, regulatory battles, and a gap between promise and performance. From market corrections to voice assistant limits and physical AI’s unreadiness, hype is meeting reality.

New Character AI feature offers opt-in parental reports: While better than nothing, teen users still control visibility—highlighting fragmented safety standards across AI chatbots.

Reports of unauthorized AI personas, including those of deceased individuals, raise concerns about the platform’s oversight and the broader issue of consent in genAI