Businesses need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to technology, and as we approach 2026, there are some key terms and advancements that they need to be aware of.
According to tech expert Juliet Moran from TelephoneSystems.Cloud, businesses should familiarize themselves with terms such as generative AI, preemptive cybersecurity, multi-factor authentication, AI agents, and more. Moran has analyzed industry trends and identified these as crucial for businesses to understand in order to stay competitive.
Recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics* have shown that nearly a quarter (23%) of businesses are already utilizing some form of artificial intelligence, a significant increase from only 9% two years ago. And for those businesses that have adopted AI, 4% have seen a decrease in headcount as a result of streamlining processes.
As we enter 2026, the development of AI tools and improvements in cybersecurity will continue to grow. Businesses that fail to keep up with these advancements risk falling behind in their respective industries.
“Technology is constantly evolving and for businesses to stay ahead, they need to keep up. This could mean implementing AI to improve processes or focusing on enhancing cybersecurity,” says Moran.
In the coming years, expect to hear terms such as generative AI, unified customer data layer, and AI agents being discussed among colleagues. These advancements can work together to streamline business processes and enhance the customer experience.
Furthermore, businesses should prioritize addressing the threat of cybercrime. In 2026, terms such as preemptive cybersecurity and zero-trust security will become more prominent in conversations. Taking these threats seriously and having the ability to identify and prevent cyberattacks, especially when dealing with sensitive customer data, will be crucial for businesses.
Moran’s guide to the tech terms and advancements that businesses need to know for 2026 includes:
Generative AI – a type of AI that creates new content by learning patterns from existing data.
AI Agents – autonomous AI systems that can perform complex tasks and communicate with other services with minimal human input.
Preemptive Cybersecurity – a strategy that focuses on anticipating, identifying, and neutralizing cyber threats before they happen.
Multi-Factor Authentication – adding additional security beyond just a password by requiring two or more verification types.
API (Application Programming Interface) – a set of rules that enable software applications to communicate with each other.
RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) – enhances large language models by giving them access to external, up-to-date information before generating a response.
Zero-Trust Security – a security approach that assumes no user or device can be trusted, verifying access requests using strict checkers.
Unified Customer Data Layer – collects, organizes, and standardizes customer information to provide a full customer story for businesses.
In conclusion, businesses need to stay informed and educated about these technological advancements in order to remain competitive and protect themselves from potential cyber threats. With these key terms and advancements in mind, businesses can prepare for the future and stay ahead of the curve.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.