Ep 7: Swipe Right: Tech Trends Leaders Are Backing for 2026 – Part 1

In this two-part series, we’re diving into emerging tech trends and their potential impact as we look ahead to 2026. The topics we explore are based on insights from a series of executive events we recently hosted with our customers.

Using a simple web app, we asked attendees to ‘swipe right’ if a tech trend would be relevant to their business in the next 12 months—or ‘swipe left’ if it wouldn’t. The result? A real-time snapshot of what business and tech leaders are prioritising for the near future.

In Part 1, we cover:

• Evolving Computing Paradigms
• Preparing for the Quantum Era
• Robotics and Autonomous Systems
• Next-Generation Cyber Security

Presented by Liz Knight, Head of Cyber Security at Theta, with guests Andrew Taylor, Head of Product & Innovation, and Jeff Wogen, Head of Digital.

Stay tuned for Part 2 coming soon!

Resource links:

• Engineer turns disposable vape pen into a working web server
• One NZ’s Satellite TXT rockets to 2m milestone
• World Nuclear Association Welcomes Microsoft Corporation as Newest Member - World Nuclear Association
• Quantum Readiness Importance: A Comprehensive Guide | CSA
• Harvest now, decrypt later - Wikipedia
• Gemini Robotics 1.5 brings AI agents into the physical world - Google DeepMind
• Using generative AI to diversify virtual training grounds for robots | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Amazon deploys over 1 million robots and launches new AI foundation model
• Douglas Pharmaceuticals Installs New Zealand’s First AutoStore: 30% More Storage in 10% of the Space
• AI-powered drones track down fires in German forests
• How a North Korean Fake IT Worker Tried to Infiltrate Us
• Charlotte AI: Agentic Analyst for Cybersecurity