5 Business Technology Trends Leaders Can't Ignore in 2026

Entrepreneur

by Dimitar Dimitrov

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The future of business technology in 2026 is all about execution and delivering tangible results. Gone are the days of experimental AI pilots; leaders must now focus on scaling technologies like agentic AI, smart automation, cloud strategies, and cybersecurity to drive real value. These advancements are transforming how businesses operate, with a particular emphasis on efficiency, cost management, and faster decision-making. Agentic AI is leading the charge, moving beyond chatbots to autonomous workflows that handle entire processes end-to-end. Companies like Walmart and AstraZeneca are already leveraging AI agents for tasks such as payroll, merchandising, and research, automating repetitive work and freeing employees to focus on higher-value activities. This shift is particularly impactful for smaller businesses, which can now redesign their operations around AI-driven systems rather than just automating fragmented tasks. Robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) is another game-changer, making physical automation accessible to small and mid-sized businesses without the need for expensive equipment. By offering robots as a service, companies like Amazon are reducing labor-intensive bottlenecks in industries such as manufacturing and retail. This model not only cuts costs but also enhances efficiency, with examples like vending platforms cutting on-site service visits by 30% while generating new revenue streams. Small language models (SLMs) are also reshaping the AI landscape, offering focused, cost-effective alternatives to large language models. SLMs deliver similar capabilities at a fraction of the cost, making them ideal for startups and smaller businesses looking to harness AI without the resource-intensive demands of bigger models. For startups, these

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Originally published on Entrepreneur on 2/25/2026