A guest interacts with a robotic arm at the 2026 Summer Davos in Dalian, Liaoning province, on June 22. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]
DALIAN - After years of software-first artificial intelligence (AI) development, the technologies with huge impact are moving off screens and into the physical systems that underpin modern economies — energy, medicine, food and materials, according to a report released on Tuesday.
The report, titled "Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2026," was unveiled during the 2026 Summer Davos forum in Northeast China's Dalian city.
Co-published by the World Economic Forum and research publisher Frontiers, the report identifies key technologies most likely to shape industry, policy and society over the next five years.
These technologies range from next-generation clean energy, advanced materials and biotechnology to AI and quantum technologies.











