Tech’s 2026 Reality Check: Half-Time Report and Emerging Themes to Watch in the 2H

Hello,

Which tech trends are built to last—and which ones are already running into hard limits?

The first half of 2026 has been a reality check for the industry. In this report, we handpicked the 5 biggest stories in 2026 so far to help you stay ahead. After two years of racing to build, fund and deploy generative AI, the biggest questions are no longer just about who has the best models or the most chips. They’re about which companies can control costs, use infrastructure efficiently and keep investors convinced the boom still has room to run.

Those pressures are already reshaping the market. AI usage is blowing through corporate budgets. GPU hoarding is exposing major inefficiencies. Prediction markets are pulling attention away from crypto. And fast-follow funding rounds are raising new questions about how durable private tech valuations really are.

We asked Deep Research to identify emerging themes to watch in the second half of 2026. From SpaceX's mega-IPO domino effect to OpenAI’s voice-first hardware push and weaponization of “tariffs” in big tech regulation, the report separates durable shifts from passing frenzies.

To check the half-time report and look out for emerging trends in 2H, you’ll need the full analysis by subscribing to The Information Pro. Take advantage of a special introductory rate of 25% off your Pro subscription.

Before it's everywhere, it's on The Information. Subscribe today for $999 $749 and save 25% on the first year, to get full access to Venture Capital’s Next General Partners 2026, org charts of 60+ companies, AI Databases and more.