Trends We’re Watching in 2026

February 20, 2026

This year our team is keeping an eye on some key themes that may make a big impact on how regulated businesses move forward efficiently in a landscape that demands tremendous flexibility. Here are a few we’re watching.

Artificial Intelligence & Automation

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are not slowing down in 2026. New advancements and options seem to pop up daily. While adopting these technologies may enhance an organization’s efficiency by eliminating manual work, there’s still much to consider:

• Safe & Smart Integration: Investing in AI and automation might seem necessary just to keep pace with competitors, but if leveraged correctly these tools can help organizations get ahead in the marketplace. Caution: it’s important to know where to draw the line when integrating these tools into compliance processes.
• Due Diligence & Partner Selection: Choosing the right models and platforms for your organization’s specific needs is critical to ensuring successful adoption. Look for configurable and adaptable systems that are supported by knowledgeable and curious professionals.
• Regulation & Internal Policy Development: These days, organizations need to be prepared for deregulation, changing rules, or new guidelines to emerge as federal and state regulators try to figure out the best way to standardize their approaches to AI and related technologies. On top of regulatory awareness and compliance, it’s prudent for organizations to establish internal frameworks to ensure clarity and consistency across the business.

Customer Experience

This isn’t groundbreaking news: great customer service is a key differentiator in every industry. Customers are looking for easy experiences and tailored interactions. By placing the customer at the heart of operations and investing in the teams and systems that deliver that service, organizations can build lasting relationships and drive both loyalty and growth. 

We’re seeing ViClarity clients and businesses across the regulated marketplace boost customer experience in several ways, including: 

• Top-Notch User Experience: Leaders in all industries are focused on creating intuitive and user-friendly experiences across channels. The most successful organizations make every interaction with customers intentional, personalized, and easy. Whether in-person, on a website, over the phone, or logging into a platform, those putting UX first ensure all touchpoints are smooth and consistent.  
• Proactive Service: By anticipating customer needs and providing solutions before issues arise, an organization can ensure sentiment stays on the positive side. Many are now leveraging data analytics and AI to tailor products, services, and communications to individual customer needs and behaviors. Tracking issues and identifying trends can also help to drive improvements and ward off future complaints.

Cyber Security & Data Privacy

Adding more digital tools to an organization’s operational infrastructure comes with risk. While connected technologies can improve efficiency, it’s important to remember that cyber threats continue to grow in frequency and sophistication.

We’ve noticed that regulated businesses are especially focused on protecting against these risks and maintaining operational efficiency, which means investing in the right tools, staff training, protocols and procedures. Cybersecurity is no longer just something that IT teams worry about — it is critical for the safeguarding of a company’s data and reputation. Organizations are looking at:

• Modern Infrastructure: Outdated systems are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and schemes. Investing in secure platforms with thorough threat detection and policies can reduce risks.
• Creating a Culture of Security: Taking security and data privacy seriously means implementing a culture of security throughout an organization, across all levels and roles. Routine training, incident response testing, consistent processes and procedures, and employee engagement keep risk low and ensure resilience when uncertainty strikes.
• Preparedness & Planning: Cybersecurity preparedness and business continuity planning have been hot topics for years, so while it’s hard to call this a “trend” it’s certainly an area demanding a lot of attention.
• Third-Party Risk Management: We hear from many of our clients and prospects that making sure third-party vendors are buttoned up on cyber and privacy issues is just as important as being on top of it within one’s own organization. Ongoing — not one-time — due diligence and risk assessments are imperative.

What trends are you tracking this year? Share your thoughts with us at info@viclarityus.com.