The year 2026 is poised to be a pivotal moment where groundbreaking consumer technologies transition from being novel experiments to integrated parts of our everyday routines. From artificial intelligence that we converse with to autonomous vehicles navigating our streets, several key trends are set to redefine how Indians interact with technology on a daily basis.
The Rise of Conversational AI Partners
For over 15 years, tech giants like Apple, Google, and Amazon have promoted voice assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa, with limited success in making public conversation with devices a norm. However, the explosive popularity of generative AI chatbots like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude is changing the game. Lucas Hansen, founder of the nonprofit CivAI, predicts a significant shift in consumer behaviour as AI voices become more humanlike.
"More and more people are talking to AI, not just as a search engine but as a conversational partner," Hansen stated. He suggests that with headphones, talking to an AI could become as discreet and common as a phone call, reducing social stigma. While current voices from major chatbots still sound synthetic, startups like Sesame AI are making strides in creating companions with natural inflection. This advancement, however, raises concerns about potential risks for individuals with mental health issues, given past incidents involving paranoid delusions linked to chatbot interactions.
The Quest for the Next Mainstream Device
While smartphones remain ubiquitous, the acceleration of AI is prompting tech companies to experiment with potential successors. A significant bet is being placed on smart glasses. Following the modest success of Ray-Ban Meta glasses for photos and music, Meta is pushing further with its new Meta Ray-Ban Display, featuring a digital display in the wearer's peripheral vision. Google and startup Pickle have unveiled similar screen-equipped glasses.
This revival follows Google's failed attempt with Google Glass over a decade ago, which faced criticism for its design and privacy concerns. This time, companies are integrating chatty AI companions directly into the glasses to boost appeal. Meanwhile, Apple is taking a different path, reportedly planning to release its first foldable iPhone in 2026, transforming into a smaller iPad-sized screen. Competitors like Samsung and Google have offered foldables for years, but high prices (often above $1,800) and durability questions have kept them niche. An Apple spokesperson declined to comment on the rumoured product.
AI's Unavoidable Reshaping of the Web
Artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering the online experience, often without an opt-out option. Google searches now frequently lead with AI-generated summaries, while Meta has integrated its AI chatbot into Instagram and WhatsApp. Companies like OpenAI and The Browser Co. have released web browsers with built-in AI assistants. Microsoft's Windows includes its Copilot AI assistant.
In contrast, Mozilla's Firefox has taken a user-consent approach, offering AI tools for summarising articles but requiring users to opt-in. The trend is set to intensify. Google plans to embed its AI into daily apps like Gmail for summarising emails and drafting replies. It is also expected to expand its AI Mode search engine with new tools for online shopping and restaurant bookings, making AI an almost inescapable layer of our digital interactions.
Robot Taxis Gain Traction and Face Tests
Self-driving taxi services are moving beyond pilot phases and towards wider adoption. Google's Waymo, which operates a fleet of 2,500 vehicles in cities including San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, Texas, is a frontrunner. Despite a recent incident in San Francisco where a power outage caused Waymo cars to block intersections, the overall sentiment remains positive.
"From a safety perspective, they follow the rules," said Carolina Milanesi, a consumer technology analyst at Creative Strategies. "A lot of the negativity that was there in the beginning has gone away." Waymo has begun allowing some riders to use its robot taxis on freeways, including trips to airports. They are joined by Amazon's Zoox in San Francisco and Tesla, which is testing its vehicles in the city. Uber also unveiled its new robot taxi, planned for a 2026 rollout. For many, this year may finally offer the first chance to ride in a self-driving car.
In summary, 2026 marks a year where talking to AI, wearing smart glasses, browsing an AI-mediated web, and hailing a robot taxi could shift from science fiction to practical reality for consumers, including those in India's major metropolitan areas.
