As we ring in the new year, we’re returning to the ITPro tradition of looking ahead and discussing the key trends that will shape the tech sector in 2026.

While there will undoubtedly be surprises ahead, both exciting and concerning, it’s also possible to look at some of the standout moments from 2025 to help us understand where we’re headed.

So what can we expect IT decision makers to come up against in 2026?

For this new year’s edition of the podcast, Jane and Rory welcome back Ross Kelly, ITPro’s News and Analysis Editor, to discuss the key trends that will shape 2026.

1. AI adoption is finally driving ROI for B2B teams in the UK and EU
2. AI is finally delivering bang for its buck, according to Microsoft
3. UK firms are pouring money into AI, but they won’t see a return on investment unless they address these key issues
4. Former NCSC head says the Jaguar Land Rover attack was the 'single most financially damaging cyber event ever to hit the UK' as impact laid bare
5. If you're not taking insider threats seriously, then the CrowdStrike incident should be a big wake up call
6. North Korean IT workers: The growing threat
7. US Department of Energy’s supercomputer shopping spree continues with Solstice and Equinox
8. Inside Isambard-AI: The UK’s most powerful supercomputer
9. Nvidia just announced new supercomputers and an open AI model family for science at SC 2025