A new global survey from IEEE suggests that agentic AI — systems that can work independently but still require human oversight — is on track to reach the consumer market next year.

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According to IEEE’s annual Impact of Technology in 2026 and Beyond study, 96% of technologists worldwide expect agentic AI innovation to continue “at lightning speed” as both established companies and startups increase investments.

Everyday use of agentic AI

The technology is expected to become a go-to “smart assistant” for daily life, helping people manage family calendars, monitor health, automate errands, and protect data privacy. Half of those surveyed (52%) believe AI will handle tasks like scheduling and calendar management, while 45% expect it to manage personal data privacy, and 41% see it tracking health metrics.

This rapid adoption is expected to drive demand for data analysts to monitor the accuracy and transparency of AI systems. IEEE’s survey found that top skills employers plan to seek in 2026 include AI ethics (44%), data analysis (38%), machine learning (34%), and data modeling (32%).

Robots as co-workers

AI’s influence will reach well beyond consumer use. Seventy-seven percent of respondents think humanoid robots will soon be common in workplaces, evolving from a novelty to “co-workers with circuits.” Robotics (52%), extended reality (36%), and autonomous vehicles (35%) were identified as the top areas where AI will have the most impact in 2026.

Industries expected to see the most significant transformation from AI include software (52%), banking and financial services (42%), healthcare (37%), and transportation (32%).

AI policies depend on who built it

When it comes to governance, 49% of technology leaders said their companies plan to move “full speed ahead” with AI integration, aligning policies with government regulations if or when they exist. Another 26% said they’ll issue clear internal guidelines for use.

Adoption of generative AI continues to grow, with 39% of leaders saying their organizations use it “regularly but selectively,” while 35% said they are rapidly integrating it across all operations.

Supply chain and infrastructure outlook

AI will also play a growing role in logistics, with 35% of leaders expecting it to increase supply chain and warehouse automation efficiency next year. However, the infrastructure to support this surge is still developing as 49% believe it will take five to seven years to build the data center capacity needed to keep up with AI demand.

IEEE’s study surveyed 400 CIOs, CTOs, and IT directors from large organizations across six countries.