Well, that got us thinking: What if we created a whole new list that was all about AI? We got excited about the idea—and before we knew it, what we were calling had begun. 10 things that matter in AI right now. This is a completely new annual list which we are proud to publish for the first time on 21st April 2026. We’ll be unveiling it on stage for attendees of EmTech AI, our signature AI conference on MIT’s campus.It’s not too late to get tickets.), and then publish the list online later that day.
The process of coming up with the list was similar to how we pick our 10 breakthrough technologies. We asked our AI team of reporters and editors to pitch ideas, put them all into a document, and engage in some robust discussion. Finally, we voted on our favorites and whittled the long list down to the final 10.
But there is a slight difference between this list and our 10 Breakthrough Technologies. AI is already such a big part of our lives that we didn’t want to limit ourselves to just naming. Technologies. Instead, we wanted to put together a definitive annual list that highlights what we think are the biggest ideas, topics and research directions in AI right now. So yes, it will include the latest AI technologies, but it will also feature other trends and developments in AI that we want to bring to our customers’ attention.
Think of it as a peek inside the collective mind of our crack AI reporting team: Here’s what our reporters will be looking at this year. We plan to follow the items on this list really closely, and you’ll see them in news and feature stories published in 2026.
for us, 10 things that matter in AI right now Here’s a guide to how we view the current AI landscape. This will be a source of discussion, debate, and maybe some arguments! We are excited to share it with you on April 21st. If you want to be among the first to see it.Join us at EmTech AI. Or become a subscriber to live stream the announcement.