Looking at the Year Ahead to Set Goals 

Tech has its hands in everything, from how we work to how careers are built, measured, and advanced. The question isn’t whether tech will change; it’s how prepared you’ll be when it does. As 2026 approaches, setting goals without considering the future of tech can leave opportunities on the table. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to predict the future to plan for it. By aligning your career goals with the trends shaping what’s next, you can position yourself for growth, influence, and long-term impact. 

Why Aligning Goals with the Future of Tech Matters 

The pace of technological change only gets faster. While it took decades for the telephone to reach mass adoption and years for the internet to reshape how we work, generative AI reached hundreds of millions of users in a matter of months. Career paths are evolving just as quickly, and goals based solely on past roles or linear progression may no longer be enough. 

To stay competitive and fulfilled, today’s professionals need to look ahead, anticipating where technology is headed and positioning themselves accordingly. As Deloitte notes, the conversation has shifted from what’s possible with new technologies to what delivers real impact. Organizations are moving beyond experimentation toward outcomes, and the leaders who stand out are those who can connect emerging tech to tangible value. Aligning your goals with the future of tech will keep you in the best possible position for opportunity an innovation. 

5 Key Technology Trends to Watch in 2026 

Here are your top 5 trends to anticipate in the upcoming year. 

1. Artificial Intelligence & Automation 

In 2026, AI will be less visible but far more influential. Intelligent systems will manage energy use, personalize education and healthcare, and power “agentic AI” that can act autonomously to complete complex tasks. Automation will extend beyond routine work into decision support and strategy execution.  

For tech professionals, this opens doors to AI leadership roles, governance and oversight initiatives, and cross-functional projects that connect technical capability to real business outcomes. The most valuable skill won’t be building AI alone, it will be guiding how it’s used responsibly and effectively. 

2. Quantum Computing 

Quantum computing is beginning its shift from experimental research to practical application. Advances are already reshaping how we approach complex challenges in medicine, climate modeling, and cryptography. While widespread adoption may still be emerging, organizations are actively preparing for what quantum will unlock next.  

This creates opportunities to contribute through interdisciplinary projects, strategic planning roles, or advisory positions that translate quantum potential into business and societal impact, even without being a quantum expert. 

3. Extended Reality (XR) 

Extended Reality (augmented, virtual, and mixed reality) is redefining how people work, learn, and collaborate. From immersive training environments to holographic meetings, XR is moving beyond novelty into real-world application. As adoption grows, there’s increasing demand for professionals who can shape meaningful, human-centered experiences. 

Opportunities are emerging in XR product development, UX leadership, and experiential design, particularly for those who can bridge technical innovation with usability, accessibility, and scale. 

4. Connectivity & Advanced Computing 

Faster connectivity and smarter computing are powering the next wave of innovation. Ultra-low latency networks, edge computing, and neuromorphic systems inspired by the human brain will enable real-time data processing and decision-making at unprecedented speeds. These advances are foundational, supporting everything from autonomous systems to personalized digital services.  

For tech leaders, this creates opportunities in infrastructure strategy, IoT integration, and real-time analytics, where understanding how systems connect and perform at scale becomes a critical advantage. 

5. Biotechnology, Autonomous Systems, and Sustainability 

Technology’s future is increasingly tied to human health, mobility, and the planet. AI-driven biotech is accelerating breakthroughs in personalized medicine, while autonomous and connected systems—from self-driving vehicles to smart infrastructure—are becoming more common. At the same time, climate tech, digital trust, and security are essential to ensuring progress is sustainable and safe. 

These converging fields open paths to advisory board roles, cross-industry collaboration, and leadership in sustainability-focused initiatives that extend impact beyond traditional tech boundaries. 

How to Set Goals that Match These Trends 

Start by identifying which trends align most closely with your current role, interests, or long-term ambitions. You don’t need to make a dramatic shift, but you can position yourself intentionally. 

That might look like building AI literacy to lead teams using intelligent systems, developing XR expertise as immersive tools become more common, or advocating for sustainable tech initiatives within your organization. Beyond technical skills, consider goals that expand your influence, such as pursuing cross-functional leadership opportunities or stepping into advisory or mentorship roles. 

For step-by-step guidance, revisit our guide on how to set career goals as you map out your plan. 

Spot Opportunities Beyond Your Current Role 

Exploring opportunities beyond your day-to-day role can accelerate growth and broaden impact. Consider board memberships, advisory positions, mentorship roles, or cross-industry collaborations that align with emerging trends like AI, XR, and sustainable tech. 

Being proactive in networking and skill-building can open doors to projects, partnerships, and leadership experiences that might not exist within your current team. Even small steps like joining a working group, advising a startup, or mentoring peers can compound into meaningful career momentum. 

Shape Your 2026 and Beyond 

Setting your goals for 2026 takes planning, anticipating tech trends, and positioning yourself to seize opportunities as they emerge. By aligning your skills, influence, and network with the future of tech, you can step confidently into roles that matter and make an impact. 

Start today: explore Member Events with your AnitaB.org Membership to learn, connect, and prepare for what’s next. Don’t wait for trends to arrive! Take actionable steps now to shape your career and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.