Every once in a while, a year arrives that doesn’t just move things forward — it changes the pace entirely. 2026 feels like that year. Conversations we’ve been circling are finally landing, louder and clearer. Technology is no longer knocking politely; it’s asking us to rethink how we work, create, and live.

Artificial Intelligence sits at the centre of this moment. If 2025 established AI as a capable copilot — helping us write, design, analyse, and ideate — 2026 is shaping up to be the year it grows up. The shift is subtle but profound: from tools that assist to systems that act, from creation to execution.

Our cover story explores this turning point. The early generative AI wave, defined by platforms like ChatGPT and DALL·E, proved what was possible at a task level. Now, the focus is on autonomy. Maturing agentic systems, infrastructure investments, and AI embedded into core business logic are driving a more cohesive and consequential boom. This isn’t just about efficiency, but about AI becoming an operating system for enterprises and economies.