In this episode of the OCTOPOD, Kyle Davies is joined by Rob Sims, Tim Russell and Jaro Tomik to explore the major trends set to shape technology decisions in 2026.
From inflationary pressures, geopolitical instability and supply chain disruption, through to AI fatigue, rising scrutiny on investment and growing pressure to prove value, the team discusses why 2026 is becoming a year of sharper focus, stronger governance and greater accountability for technology leaders.
The conversation covers:
How macroeconomic and geopolitical pressures are reshaping IT investment decisions
Why organisations are placing greater emphasis on ROI, resilience and cost predictability
The impact of supply chain constraints across infrastructure, cloud and end-user technology
Why hybrid platforms, digital resilience and network modernisation remain foundational
How modern workspace strategies must shift from technology ownership to human outcomes
The rise of AI-driven cyber threats, identity-led security and skills challenges
Why digital enablement, integration and service experience are now central to business value
The transition from experimentation to accountability as leaders are asked to prove measurable results
A clear theme runs throughout the episode: the most successful organisations in 2026 will not necessarily be the most technical, but the ones that make confident decisions, stay aligned to business outcomes and execute with speed and discipline.
This episode is a practical look at what technology leaders should be prioritising now to reduce risk, improve productivity and create measurable value across the year ahead.