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NTT DATA Technology Foresight 2026

Sustaining growth in the era of mass intelligence

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The rise of mass intelligence shifts our focus from acceleration to significance. When emotionally aware systems, sovereign compute and trusted infrastructure come together, technology evolves into a purposeful ally — amplifying resilience and reinforcing the values that will define our shared future. ”

Oliver Koeth

Managing Director of Technology and Innovation, NTT DATA DACH

Navigating a world transformed by intelligent, adaptive systems

We are entering a new technological era where intelligence scales across every process, product and decision. NTT DATA Technology Foresight 2026 explores how organizations can turn this shift into sustainable growth by designing systems that are transparent, ethical and aligned with human purpose.

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Insights for business leaders

Scale with control
As intelligent systems take on greater responsibility, leaders must define escalation paths, accountability models and decision boundaries before automation expands.

Design for explainability
Growth increasingly depends on the ability to justify outcomes to regulators, customers and employees. Transparent decision pathways are becoming a competitive differentiator.

Fix the foundation first
Many AI initiatives stall not because of ambition, but because architecture, data flows and operational readiness cannot support real-time, distributed intelligence.

Secure strategic compute
Access to advanced processing capacity is becoming a strategic variable. Diversification, portability and sovereign-ready architectures are now board-level priorities.

Reinvent engagement models
Human–technology interaction is shifting from transactional to contextual. Organizations must rethink customer journeys, workforce collaboration and service design.

Redefine growth metrics
Performance will increasingly be measured not only by output and margin but also by durability, resilience and responsible resource use over time.

Insights for industry leaders

Insurance: Predictive resilience
Real-time sensing, digital twins and prevention-first models enhance underwriting, claims and portfolio resilience.

Automotive: Software-defined value
Connected platforms, continuous updates and ecosystem integration improve competitiveness and lifecycle revenue models.

Telecom: Programmable networks
Automation, edge intelligence and outcome-based services transform connectivity into enterprise-grade digital platforms.

Manufacturing: Adaptive production
Unified data layers and distributed intelligence enhance operational agility and resilience across multi-plant networks.

Banking: Trusted real-time finance
Governed AI, instant rails and resilient infrastructure transform core banking, risk management and digital trust.

Pharma: Evidence at speed
Digital trial environments and compliant AI ecosystems accelerate innovation while safeguarding regulatory integrity.

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