MIT Technology Review Unveils 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2026
Every year, MIT Technology Review evaluates emerging technologies that they believe will significantly influence the future — shaping industries, societies, and everyday life. The 2026 list showcases ten breakthrough technologies expected to drive substantial progress or provoke important challenges in the years ahead. Compiled through in-depth debate among expert reporters and editors, this annual ranking aims to spotlight innovations worthy of attention today.
The 2026 Breakthrough Technologies at a Glance
1. Sodium-ion Batteries
Poised as a cheaper and safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries harness abundant and low-cost materials like salt. Supported by both major industry players and public investments, these batteries are expected to revolutionize affordable electric vehicles (EVs) and power grids worldwide.
2. Generative Coding
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools capable of generating code are transforming software development. These AI-driven platforms accelerate the writing, testing, and deployment of sophisticated applications including websites and games. However, users need vigilance, as AI-generated code can still contain errors requiring human oversight.
3. Next-Generation Nuclear Power
Building on established nuclear technology, new reactor designs utilize alternative fuels, innovative cooling systems, and compact footprints. Such advancements could enable faster deployment of reactors, delivering steady, zero-emission electricity to global power grids more efficiently.
4. AI Companions
With millions interacting daily with AI chatbots, some users develop meaningful personal connections with these virtual assistants. Increasing evidence highlights potential psychological risks, prompting political and regulatory awareness about managing such AI-human relationships responsibly.
5. Base-Edited Baby Treatment
A landmark moment in personalized medicine, a seven-month-old baby named KJ became the first person to receive a bespoke gene-editing therapy. Encouraged by this breakthrough, clinical trials are planned, and bespoke gene-editing drugs may see approval in the near future despite high costs.
6. Gene Resurrection
Scientists are leveraging genetic data banks of extinct species to uncover new medical treatments and address climate change challenges. This research also offers promising avenues for conserving endangered species, inviting a new chapter in biotechnology.
7. Mechanistic Interpretability of AI Models
Understanding how large language models (LLMs) operate internally remains a significant challenge. Recent innovative research techniques are beginning to peel back the layers of the so-called “black box,” offering unprecedented insights into AI functioning, its limitations, and safety.
8. Commercial Space Stations
The dream of space tourism is becoming tangible, with new commercial space station modules soon available for paying customers. Beyond tourism, these stations will enable scientific research missions, expanding humanity’s reach beyond Earth.
9. Embryo Scoring Technologies
Fertility clinics already use genetic screening to detect diseases in embryos. Now, emerging startups are advancing techniques to predict non-disease traits such as intelligence, stirring ethical discussions about the future of human reproduction.
10. Hyperscale AI Data Centers
The quest for AI supremacy has driven rapid expansion of colossal data centers housing synchronized clusters of powerful processors. These hyperscale facilities resemble enormous high-speed supercomputers, pushing energy consumption and infrastructure capabilities to their limits.
Engage: Vote for the 11th Breakthrough Technology
MIT Technology Review also invites public participation in naming an 11th breakthrough technology, spotlighting innovations like reasoning models (AI that solves problems step-by-step), artificial wombs, humanoid robots, and uncrewed fighter jets. The voting deadline is April 1, 2026. —
About the List and Editorial Integrity
For 25 years, MIT Technology Review’s annual “10 Breakthrough Technologies” list has served as a barometer for promising technological developments with broad societal impacts. The editorial team rigorously debates each candidate technology, considering potential positive and negative consequences. This year’s effort is solely supported by Rubrik, a security and AI operations company, which had no editorial influence on the selections.
Explore Further
Readers interested in deeper insights can explore:
- In-depth explanations of next-generation nuclear reactors, including molten salt and TRISO fuel technologies.
- Analytical pieces on how treating AI as biological entities sheds light on their function.
- Historical retrospectives on previous breakthrough technology successes and flops.
About MIT Technology Review
Founded in 1899 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT Technology Review is an esteemed independent media company committed to analyzing new technologies and their commercial, social, and political impacts. Its reporting, live events, and reviews continue to educate and inform global audiences on the cutting edge of innovation.
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