Excelia, a Spanish consulting firm specializing in technology and professional services, has identified the ten key technology trends that will define 2026, a period characterized by tightening regulations, increasingly rapid AI deployment, and a significant rise in digital risks.
According to the firm, 2026 will mark a turning point in the role of technology, transitioning from a mere facilitator to an essential infrastructure of the business. This shift will directly impact areas such as operational efficiency, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and corporate sustainability.
The 10 Key Technology Trends for 2026
1- Modernization of legacy systems with Artificial Intelligence: AI is increasingly becoming a key ally in modernizing legacy systems, automating refactoring tasks, process optimization, and code documentation without interrupting daily operations. This will help reduce risks, minimize costs, and accelerate the move to more agile, scalable platforms.
2- Governance and security in AI: The evolution of AI makes it necessary to establish solid governance frameworks to ensure proper management of models, biases, and alignment with emerging regulations. This will guarantee that AI is used reliably, ethically, and safely in all critical business processes.
3- Automation will boost workplace efficiency: In 2026, intelligent assistants and AI agents will continue automating repetitive tasks, generating strategic insights, and supporting decision-making, thereby increasing employee productivity and freeing time for higher-value and creative activities.
4- Identity as a new security perimeter: Identity management and digital trust will become the primary security perimeter, protecting information and access against threats like credential theft and identity impersonation, which will remain the most critical risks for organizations.
5- Evolution of the Zero Trust model: The Zero Trust approach will evolve into a proactive and contextual model, where every access is continuously verified, considering behavior, location, and risk level to strengthen security dynamically and in real-time.
6- Regulatory compliance as a strategic axis: Regulations such as NIS2, DORA, CRA, AI Act, and CSRD will be natively integrated into processes and systems, enabling companies to operate with greater confidence, minimize risks, and enhance their reputation among clients, regulators, and stakeholders.
7- Risk management across the supply chain: Next year, third-party monitoring and integrated cybersecurity mechanisms will become essential to ensure business continuity and resilience, given that external risks and incidents involving suppliers will continue to grow in complexity and impact.
8- Financial environments with native digital integration: Financial functions will evolve into fully interconnected digital ecosystems, where cloud, APIs, and automation will enable unified processes for accounting, treasury, collections, and payments—reducing errors, speeding up decisions, and enabling autonomous financial flows.
9- Democratization of application development: By 2026, low-code and no-code development platforms will take center stage, allowing business teams to quickly and efficiently create and automate applications and workflows, reducing dependence on IT and accelerating internal innovation.
10- Green IT and sustainable data centers: Organizations will drive energy efficiency in their technological infrastructures by adopting Green IT practices and sustainable data centers. This will lower carbon footprints, optimize operational costs, and align technology with ESG objectives, solidifying sustainability as a strategic pillar of digital transformation.
“We are entering a phase where competitive advantage will not only come from adopting technology in isolation but from how organizations securely, coherently, and governably integrate AI, advanced analytics, and automation across all core business processes,” highlights Raúl Candela, Partner & Managing Director of Excelia. He adds: “Companies that manage to turn these tools into critical infrastructures will have the ability to innovate faster, proactively manage risks, and generate long-term value.” With over 25 years of experience, Excelia guides organizations through their digital transformation and international expansion, providing technology-driven solutions and services. The company places special emphasis on innovation and the integration of advanced tools as catalysts for solid, long-term growth. Its global team of over 300 highly specialized professionals combines international perspective with local expertise, ensuring tailored solutions that meet each client’s specific needs.