Gartner Identifies the Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2026
Orlando, Fla., October 20, 2025 — Gartner, Inc., a leading business and technology insights company, has revealed its list of the top strategic technology trends that organizations should explore in 2026. These trends were unveiled during the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025 conference held from October 20 to 23 in Orlando, Florida.
Navigating a Critical Year for Technology Leaders
Gene Alvarez, Distinguished Vice President Analyst at Gartner, emphasized the pivotal role technology leaders will play in the coming year. “Technology leaders face a pivotal year in 2026, where disruption, innovation, and risk are expanding at unprecedented speed,” Alvarez stated. He highlighted how the top trends reflect the realities of an AI-powered, hyperconnected landscape where businesses must innovate responsibly, drive operational excellence, and build digital trust.
Echoing this, Tori Paulman, Vice President Analyst at Gartner, noted, “These trends represent more than technology shifts; they are catalysts for business transformation. What feels different this year is the pace. We’ve seen more innovations emerge in a single year than ever before. Because the next wave of innovation isn’t years away, organizations that act now will not only weather volatility but shape their industries for decades to come.”
The Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2026
Gartner’s analysts identified several key trends that are set to influence technology and business landscapes profoundly in the next year.
1. AI Supercomputing Platforms
AI supercomputing platforms merge multiple computing paradigms — including CPUs, GPUs, AI ASICs, neuromorphic technologies, and other alternative architectures — to enable organizations to orchestrate complex workloads efficiently. These systems combine powerful processors, vast memory capacities, specialized hardware, and orchestration software capable of handling data-intensive tasks such as machine learning, advanced simulations, and analytics.
By 2028, Gartner forecasts that over 40% of leading enterprises will adopt hybrid computing architectures in their critical business workflows, a sharp increase from 8% today. Paulman elaborated on the impact of this technology across industries: “In healthcare and biotech, companies are modeling new drugs in weeks instead of years. Financial services are simulating global markets to reduce portfolio risk, and utilities are modeling extreme weather to optimize grid performance.”
2. Multiagent Systems (MAS)
Multiagent systems consist of collections of AI agents that interact to achieve complex goals individually or collaboratively. These agents can exist within a single environment or be distributed independently across various environments.
Alvarez explained the value of multiagent systems, stating, “Adopting multiagent systems gives organizations a practical way to automate complex business processes, upskill teams, and create new ways for people and AI agents to work together.” The modular nature of these agents allows organizations to boost operational efficiency, accelerate project delivery, and reduce risks by reusing proven solutions within workflows. This modularity also facilitates scalability and swift adaptation to evolving business needs.
3. Domain-Specific Language Models (DSLMs)
While general-purpose large language models (LLMs) have demonstrated impressive capabilities, CIOs and CEOs are increasingly demanding AI solutions that deliver greater business value through specialized applications. Domain-specific language models cater to this need by being trained or fine-tuned on data sets dedicated to a particular industry, function, or process.
DSLMs offer enhanced accuracy, reduced operational costs, and improved compliance compared to generic LLMs. These models are especially beneficial in regulated environments and specialized sectors where precision and adherence to policies are critical.
Looking Ahead
As technology continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, Gartner’s insights serve as essential guidance for organizations aiming to harness innovation effectively. The convergence of AI-driven platforms, multiagent automation, and tailored language models offer significant opportunities to transform business operations, enhance competitiveness, and maintain trust in an increasingly digital world.
Attendees of the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025 had the opportunity to delve deeper into these trends, gaining actionable insights to prepare for the rapidly approaching technology landscape of 2026 and beyond.
For more information on these strategic trends and to access Gartner’s comprehensive research, organizations and technology leaders are encouraged to visit Gartner’s official website or contact Gartner representatives.
About Gartner:
Gartner, Inc. is a global research and advisory company providing essential insights to leaders in IT, finance, HR, customer service, and support, marketing, sales, and supply chain functions across various industries. Through expert guidance, peer community connections, and world-class events, Gartner helps organizations make informed decisions and accelerate their digital transformation journeys.
