What 2026 is telling us about life in the age of AI

By Peter Williams

Every new wave of technology brings the same question: will it replace human decision-making, or raise the standard for it?

Last year on LinkedIn, I shared a series of predictions about 2026. These were based on what I’m seeing while building companies, working with clients, and learning from people in my network who are close to where change is actually happening.

What stands out most to me is that while automation is accelerating, businesses that stand out are doubling down on trust, relationships and thoughtful decision-making. Speed matters. Efficiency matters. But they’re no longer enough on their own.

In this three-part series, I’m going to share a few predictions based on the signals we are seeing today.

1. More focus on working, less on where from.

Remote work isn’t going away, but it’s about to get more complicated. Companies pushing return-to-office policies will compete with firms offering AI-powered remote tools:

• Real-time transcription that’s accurate

• Meeting summaries that capture what matters

• Collaboration platforms that don’t create more work

The paradox? Even as AI creates efficiency, office space costs are climbing as commercial real estate struggles to recover from losses incurred during the pandemic.

At Designerds, we’ve embedded with clients for years. We know that presence matters and so does flexibility. The companies that invest in tools that make remote work seamless will be those that succeed, not companies that force people back to expensive offices out of habit.

The future of work is hybrid, but only for businesses willing to invest in making it actually work.

2. Launch it first, perfect later.

The next wave of entrepreneurs won’t wait for beta testing. With AI lowering costs and speeding iteration, the market becomes the test. This is already happening in software, but it’s spreading everywhere. Ship quickly, adjust in real time, let customers tell you what works.

I’ve always believed in trusting your instincts and moving fast. When my team showed up at Samsung’s office with our iMacs and said “we’re here to help,” that was experimentation in action. The risk isn’t in launching imperfect products. The risk is in waiting so long that someone else solves the problem first. Entire industries will be reshaped by founders who treat risk as learning at speed.

3. See people, don't just process them.

The more AI handles transactional things, the more human connection will matter.

As automation takes over routine interactions, the businesses that win will be the ones that train their teams to actually see people, not just process them. These aren’t soft skills. This is a competitive advantage.

I’ve built my career on relationships, mentorship and showing up authentically. AI can deliver information instantly, but it can’t share the wisdom that comes from actually living through challenges.

At Designerds, we embed our teams with clients because good relationships create good work. That face-to-face understanding can’t be automated. If your business model relies entirely on efficiency, you’ll be vulnerable. Connection is what keeps people coming back.

4. AI for the sake of AI won't cut it.

I’m watching businesses rush to adopt AI because they feel they have to, not because they’ve identified a real need. By 2026, the companies still standing will be the ones who asked a simple question first: “Does this actually help our customers or improve our operations?”

At Designerds, we’re selective about where AI fits. Not every process needs automation. Not every creative decision benefits from machine learning. The businesses that thrive won’t be the ones that adopt AI fastest. They’ll be the ones who adopted it most thoughtfully. Before jumping on any technology trend, ask: “What problem does this solve?” If you can’t answer that clearly, you’re chasing hype instead of value.

Watch this space for the next set of predictions which include insights from leaders in the business.