IT trends 2026, The AI revolution, key conferences, and the future of digital development

We are entering 2026 – the year when artificial intelligence stops being experimental and becomes the core infrastructure of modern business. AI is no longer an add-on; it is a foundation.

Companies that fail to adapt in time risk falling behind. A technological shift of unprecedented scale is underway. In this guide, we cover global IT trends, essential AI tools, and key IT conferences in Croatia that will shape 2026.

7 AI and IT TRENDS 2026 THAT WILL DEFINE INDUSTRY

1. AI agents – digital collaborators

AI is no longer just a tool; it is becoming an active participant in business processes. According to Forbes, by the end of 2026, 80% of business applications will use AI copilots for:

• writing and reviewing code
• data analysis
• contract drafting
• project management

2. Physical AI – robotics and autonomous systems

Companies such as Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind are developing next-generation humanoid robots. Gartner predicts that by 2028, 80% of global warehouses will rely on AI-powered robotics for logistics, sorting, and packaging.

3. Edge computing – AI on your device

Instead of sending all data to the cloud, AI is increasingly executed directly on devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and security cameras. Key benefits include:

• improved privacy
• lower latency
• reduced operational costs

4. Hybrid IT architectures

Cloud for development and experimentation, on‑premise infrastructure for production, and edge computing for critical tasks. Flexibility is no longer optional – it is essential.

5. AI in science and research

6.Post‑quantum security

The European Union expects the first major steps toward quantum‑resistant security by the end of 2026. Organizations should identify risks early and begin migrating critical systems.

7.Biometric authentication as the new standard

As AI becomes capable of voice replication and identity forgery, passwordless authentication (biometrics, passkeys) is emerging as the new security standard.

KEY AI TOOLS FOR 2026

💬 ChatGPT
A leading AI platform for marketing, customer support, and data analysis. GPT‑4o enables advanced text, image, and document processing.

🔍 Google Gemini
Ideal for Google ecosystem integration – Gmail, Docs, and Sheets. Strong real‑time search and multimodal capabilities.

💻 Claude Sonnet 4.5
One of the most powerful AI tools for software development, offering high accuracy, long‑running agents, and desktop automation.

⚡ GitHub Copilot
The most widely used AI tool in production environments. Supports 50+ programming languages and acts as a virtual pair programmer.

🎨 Bolt.new / Lovable.dev
A breakthrough in web development – build applications and MVPs directly in the browser, without local setup.

📊 Perplexity AI
An advanced research and competitive intelligence tool with real‑time web sources and transparent citations.

MAJOR IT CONFERENCES IN CROATIA – 2026

💰 Money Motion 2026 – FinTech Conference of the Year
📅 March 11–12, 2026 | 📍 Zagreb Fair
Focus: AI in finance, automation, and security

🏝️ Unlock Rab 2026
📅 May 27–29 | 📍 Island of Rab
Development, marketing, and industry insights

🎯 Infobip Shift 2026
📅 September 13–15 | 📍 Zadar
One of the largest developer conferences in Southeast Europe

🏆 Advanced Technology Days
📅 November 3–4 | 📍 Zagreb
AI, cybersecurity, development, and infrastructure

🔬 IEEE‑ISSE 2026
📅 September 22–24 | 📍 Dubrovnik
Digital twins and intelligent engineering systems

HOW BYTENK HELPS YOUR BUSINESS IN 2026

BYTENK is a digital IT agency specializing in web development, digital marketing, design, and AI integration. We help companies transform ideas into scalable, future‑proof digital solutions.

Our services:

• 🌐 Website & eCommerce development
• 🔍 SEO optimization & content strategy
• 📱 Digital marketing & analytics
• 🎨 Graphic design & UI/UX
• 🎬 Audio & video production
• 🤖 AI integration & business automation

2026 IS THE YEAR OF ACTION

Companies waiting for AI to “stabilize” risk being left behind. Digital transformation cannot be postponed.

Your 2026 action plan:

✓ Upgrade your website with AI features
✓ Adopt AI tools in daily operations
✓ Invest in education and conferences
✓ Strengthen cybersecurity strategies
✓ Prepare hybrid IT architectures

READY TO START YOUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION?

BYTENK is your partner for 2026 – from strategy to execution.

📧 info@bytenk.com
🌐 https://www.bytenk.com

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