As the year ended, Remarkable’s Client & Sales team looked ahead to 2026, sharing their boldest predictions for the future of digital, sales, and marketing.
This year promises to be transformative, with AI moving from experimental to essential in nearly every business process. Companies that adapt quickly will gain a competitive edge, while those that hesitate risk falling behind.
Here’s what the team see on the horizon.
Ian MacArthur sees visual search overtaking text queries in retail, with “camera-first” searching becoming the norm for fashion, home décor, and more. This shift will redefine how consumers interact with brands, making product discovery faster and more intuitive. Retailers will need to optimise their catalogues for visual recognition and invest in AI-driven image search capabilities to stay relevant.
Alex Lee believes that everyone will need to become “more developer”, learning to use code and APIs to automate and innovate. This trend reflects the growing demand for technical literacy across all roles, not just engineering. Businesses will likely offer training programmes and low-code platforms to empower employees.
Steph Powis highlights content strategy as the ultimate competitive edge, with brands needing to create clear, authoritative content trusted by both humans and AI. High-quality content will influence search rankings and AI-driven recommendations, making it a cornerstone of marketing success. Companies that fail to prioritise content integrity risk losing visibility and credibility in an AI-dominated ecosystem.
John Whittome expects advertising revenue to shift to AI platforms, with conversational ad formats, context-driven placements, and transaction-based models. This evolution will blur the lines between advertising and customer engagement, creating more personalised experiences. Brands will need to rethink their ad strategies, focusing on relevance and real-time interaction to maximise ROI.
Marie Heinsen warns that cyber security will remain critical, especially as data visibility to LLMs increases. With AI systems accessing vast amounts of sensitive information, the risk of breaches will grow exponentially. Organisations must invest in robust security frameworks and continuous monitoring to safeguard trust and compliance.
Kier Humphreys tips AISoV (AI Share of Voice) as the metric of the year, though it will remain difficult to quantify—making attribution and data even more valuable. Measuring influence in AI-driven channels will become a priority for marketers seeking to understand brand impact. Expect new tools and methodologies to emerge, aiming to capture this critical metric.
Emma Nijjar emphasises the importance of building trust through transparency and genuine human connection. In a world dominated by automation, authenticity will set brands apart. Companies that prioritise ethical practices and clear, human communication will foster loyalty and long-term relationships.
Like Emma, Kartika Chandramohan predicts that as AI adoption rises, clients will value unique, human-created ideas as the new premium. Creativity and emotional intelligence will remain irreplaceable, offering differentiation in an increasingly automated market. Businesses should invest in nurturing these human skills alongside technological innovation.
Peter Clisby foresees the rise of Agentic AI applications—built by developers, integrating business logic and leveraging both LLMs and classic AI services. These applications will enable autonomous decision-making, streamlining workflows and reducing operational overhead. Companies that embrace this model will unlock new efficiencies and competitive advantages.
Paul Stephen expects brands to shift towards SLMs (Small Language Models) to retain control over their data and IP. These models offer greater customisation and privacy, addressing growing concerns around data governance. Organisations will increasingly balance scalability with security, opting for tailored AI solutions.
James Gray predicts a big AI market scare at some point in H1 of 2026, and a ‘severe correction’ when AI investors have a “show me the money” moment. This shake-up will likely separate hype from reality, forcing companies to demonstrate tangible ROI. Businesses that have built sustainable AI strategies will weather the storm, while speculative ventures may struggle.
Ross Breen identifies three key trends: conversational interfaces becoming standard, personalisation as a baseline expectation, and trust as the defining differentiator in an AI-driven world. These shifts will reshape customer experiences, making adaptability and transparency essential, and brands that align with these trends will thrive.
2026 will be a year of reckoning for AI, where those who blend technology with human creativity and trust will lead the way. The winners will be those who innovate responsibly, balancing automation with authenticity.
What lies ahead for your business this year?
