As we step into 2026, Manchester Digital is proud to launch Picturing 2026 — a new series of essays from our members exploring the tech trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the year ahead.
In this piece, Naimuri looks at how 2026 marks a shift from experimental AI to practical, mission-critical deployment, examining the rise of agentic AI, edge-ready models, explainable systems and quantum-ready security, and what these developments mean for building safer, more resilient digital and physical infrastructure.
In 2026, the tech landscape is shifting. We’re moving away from the "art of the possible" and straight into the "necessity of the practical."
For those of us in security and law enforcement, it’s no longer just about adopting the newest shiny tool. It’s about how those tools actively protect our digital and physical borders.
As we look at the year ahead, here are the five technical shifts that will define how we deliver a safer future.
1. The Rise of Agentic AI
We are finally graduating from the era of the chatbot to the era of the agent.
In 2026, Generative AI is evolving. We’re moving toward "Agentic AI, systems that don't just find information, but actually reason, plan, and execute complex workflows. Imagine autonomous threat hunting or real-time resource allocation with minimal human intervention/hand-holding.
For our sector and the work we deliver, this means moving beyond simple data summarisation to autonomous threat hunting and real-time resource allocation.
However, this autonomy brings a new imperative: guardrails.
The challenge for 2026 will be designing agents that are capable enough to act at machine speed, yet transparent enough to remain accountable to human command.
2. The Power of Small Language Models (SLMs)
Bigger is no longer automatically better.
We’re seeing a major pivot toward Small Language Models (SLMs). These are highly specialised, efficient, and crucially capable of running on the edge.
For field operations, this is a game-changer. It means putting intelligence capabilities directly onto drones, laptops, or secure mobile units. You get the power of AI where the mission actually happens, even without a cloud connection and the absence of a data centre.
3. AI Assurance and Explainability
When AI moves from the back office to the front lines, "black box" algorithms become a massive liability. In 2026, AI Assurance is non-negotiable.
We can’t ask a user to act on data they don’t trust. That’s why we’re seeing the rise of systems that "quantify uncertainty." They don't just give you an answer; they tell you how confident they are in it. By prioritising Explainable AI (XAI), we keep humans in the driver’s seat.
4. Security in the Quantum Age
While a cryptographically relevant quantum computer may not arrive in 2026, the threat is already here. The "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" strategy, where adversaries steal encrypted data today to unlock it when quantum technology matures and requires immediate action.
2026 has to be the year we adopt Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). We need to audit our "cryptographic agility" now to make sure the data we secure today stays secure tomorrow.
5. Operational Resilience and "ResOps"
As cyber threats become more sophisticated (often fuelled by the same AI advancements we champion) prevention is no longer enough. We must assume breach and focus on ‘Operational Resilience’.
The emerging discipline of "ResOps" (Resilience Operations) will take centre stage.
This shifts the goal from "zero incidents" to "zero impact," prioritising systems that can degrade gracefully, self-heal, and recover rapidly while under attack. In a world of constant digital friction, our software must be as resilient as the people who use it.
Conclusion
In 2026, technology will not replace the human element; it will elevate it.
By harnessing Agentic AI, specialised models, and assured, quantum-ready security, we continue our mission to unlock the value of data and, ultimately, make the UK a safer place.
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