Navigate Tech Trends 2026: CIOs Gain Clarity on Prioritization

As the pace of technology change continues to compress decision timelines for CIOs, separating meaningful innovation from noise has become a critical leadership challenge. At Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans, February 3 – 4, 2026, the Tech Trends 2026 session will provide IT leaders with a research-driven view of the technologies and strategic shifts shaping the year ahead, helping them prioritize investments, manage risk, and prepare for what comes next. ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Organizations are facing mounting pressure to adopt emerging technologies while maintaining stability, and CIOs are being asked to make high-impact decisions amid growing uncertainty. At Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans, taking place February 3 – 4, 2026, at The Roosevelt New Orleans, Info-Tech Research Group, a global IT research and advisory firm, will feature a dedicated Tech Trends 2026 session designed to help IT leaders understand which technology trends matter most and how to act on them responsibly. Grounded in Info-Tech's Tech Trends 2026 report findings and insights from the firm's Future of IT Survey 2026, the session will examine eight key technology trends expected to influence how organizations build, secure, and scale IT in 2026 and beyond. Rather than focusing solely on predictions, the session will help CIOs interpret emerging signals through three major themes of transformation, providing a structured lens for decision-making in an increasingly complex environment. "CIOs are not short on trends, but they are short on clarity," says Info-Tech Research Group's Chief Research Officer, Gord Harrison. "The goal of the Tech Trends 2026 session at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans is to help leaders distinguish between what is interesting and what is actionable, so they can place smarter bets and prepare their organizations for the realities of the year ahead." Tech Trends 2026 at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans To help CIOs assess trade-offs, manage risk, and prioritize execution, the Tech Trends 2026 session at Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans will explore the following eight emerging technology trends: Resilient Supply Chain Sourcing Organizations are rethinking global sourcing to prioritize diversified, adaptable, and reliable supply chains for technology and materials. Integrated Organizational Resilience IT risk management now operates as an enterprise-wide capability that proactively identifies, coordinates, and responds to risk. Multi-Agent Orchestration AI agents increasingly operate as coordinated ecosystems rather than isolated, task-based tools. Smart Sensing Networks IoT combines intelligent sensors with edge AI to enable real-time autonomy and decision-making. AI as Adversary and Ally AI simultaneously strengthens cyber defense while amplifying the scale and sophistication of cyber threats. Federated Data Governance Organizations are decentralizing data ownership through domain-based governance models that can be automated at scale. Purpose-Built Platforms Infrastructure and platforms are increasingly designed around specific business goals rather than generalized use cases. Service as Software Organizations are shifting toward outcome-driven software models powered by AI automation and integration. As part of the broader conference agenda, the Tech Trends 2026 session is designed to help CIOs translate emerging insight into confident, execution-ready decisions. By framing emerging technologies within real-world constraints such as governance, cost, and organizational readiness, the session supports IT leaders in aligning innovation with execution. Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans brings together CIOs, senior IT executives, and technology leaders from across North America for a two-day, research-driven conference focused on translating IT strategy into measurable outcomes. The event features mainstage keynotes, analyst-led sessions, peer discussions, and one-on-one advisory meetings designed to address the most pressing challenges facing IT leaders today. Additional sessions and speaker announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For more information about the event, please visit the Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans page. Media Passes for Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans Media professionals, including journalists, podcasters, and influencers, are invited to attend Info-Tech LIVE 2026 in New Orleans to gain exclusive access to research, content, and interviews with industry leaders and analysts for their audiences. Media professionals can apply for complimentary in-person passes by contacting [email protected]. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading and fastest-growing research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 IT, HR, and marketing professionals around the globe. As a trusted product and service leader, the company delivers unbiased, highly relevant research and industry-leading advisory support to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to expert guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's HR research and advisory services, visit McLean & Company, and for data-driven software buying insights and vendor evaluations, visit the firm's SoftwareReviews platform. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X. SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group