Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2026. Read them in this 18th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
By Prashant Ketkar, CTO at Parallels
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, the pace of technological change is accelerating faster than most organizations can adapt. AI-driven automation, evolving cybersecurity risks, and new models for delivering applications and digital experiences are reshaping how IT teams operate. What once took years to transform is now shifting in months. The following predictions outline how emerging technologies (especially the rise of apps, agents, and AI memory) will redefine IT management, security, and the future of work.
Prediction #1: The Explosion of Apps and Agents Will Transform IT Management
Today, the average IT department manages around a hundred applications. But in 2026 that number will grow dramatically. Creating apps and AI-powered agents will become so fast and easy that IT teams could soon find themselves managing thousands of them – some will exist long-term, while others will be in use only for hours or days.
This explosion will make IT environments far more complex and increase security, compliance, and data management risks. To stay ahead, organizations will need automation and intelligent tools that simplify how applications and agents are delivered, secured, and governed across any platform or cloud.
The future of cybersecurity and IT management will depend on this balance between rapid innovation and strong control.
Prediction #2: AI’s Infinite Memory Will Redefine Cybersecurity
In the coming years, one of the biggest concerns for businesses will be what happens to their data inside AI. GenAI models operate in public cloud environments with virtually infinite memory and computational power – they can process anything and remember everything, unlike humans who have finite capacity and natural forgetfulness.
As AI becomes more deeply integrated into business systems, cybersecurity will need to evolve beyond traditional boundaries. In addition to protecting data through secure application delivery models, organizations will need clear policies and guardrails around how data is used, prompted, and shared.
We can’t assume these systems will forget – so businesses must be intentional about what data goes into models, how it’s managed within applications, and how to prevent it from making its way out into the world.
Cybersecurity will be no longer just about securing perimeters or endpoints – it’ll be about much more than that.
Prediction #3: The Future of VDI – Delivering Apps and Agents
AI is accelerating the evolution of the tech world at remarkable speed. The rate of diffusion here is unlike anything we’ve seen in decades – it’s moving a lot faster than the cloud revolution. As a result, traditional VDI will change, shifting from delivering only applications to delivering both applications and agents.
This will make it increasingly important to simplify how applications and agents are published, delivered, and managed through automation at scale. The key questions will be: How easy is migration? How easily can new apps, agents, and desktops be introduced – with fewer human touchpoints but greater control?
IT and developer agility, security, and management will become more and more critical in this next phase of application and agent delivery.
Prediction #4: SaaS Isn’t Dead – But It’s Fading Into the Background
SaaS isn’t dead – but it’s changing. System-of-record and mission-critical applications, like CRMs and databases, will remain essential. But there’s a real shift underway: people won’t spend as much time in their apps directly.
Instead, they’ll write agents that connect to those apps through APIs. These agents might not be perfect, but they’ll handle 70% or more of the work users once did manually. In many cases, users won’t even need to open the apps themselves.
As a result, some systems will become less relevant in daily workflows – still important in the backend but no longer front and center. SaaS isn’t dead, but applications will become the invisible backbone powering agents. The less people think about their apps, the more seamlessly they’ll work.
A Turning Point for the Digital Enterprise
The next era of IT will be defined by unprecedented scale, speed, and intelligence. Apps and agents will multiply, AI systems will require new controls, and application delivery models will evolve to meet rising expectations for security and agility. While SaaS and traditional platforms won’t disappear, they will fade into the background as automated agents take the lead. Organizations that embrace intelligent automation, adapt their security posture, and modernize how they deliver and govern applications will be best positioned to thrive in this rapidly shifting landscape.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prashant Ketkar serves as chief technology and product officer for Parallels, leading the product and engineering operations that drive the continuous evolution and transformation of the Parallels product portfolio. Ketkar has a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Mumbai and an MBA from the Asian Institute of Management.
