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ARTICLE · 20 MAY 2026

Predicting The Unpredictable: The Four Trends Shaping The Future Of AI

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

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From the race to regulate and the rapid development of agentic technology to sovereignty and trade concerns, our experts forecast what's next in artificial intelligence.

GlobalTechnology
Kwok Tang
Kwok Tang
Emma Iles
Emma Iles
Justina Zhang
Justina Zhang
Morris Schonberg
Morris Schonberg
Charlie Morgan
Charlie Morgan
Emmanuel Ronco
Emmanuel Ronco
Alexander Amato-Cravero
Alexander Amato-Cravero
Peter Jones
Peter Jones
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What's next in AI?

  1. Agentic AI has arrived and marks the next stage in the technology's development. As models begin to equalise, agents are how the technology will embed itself in the global economy.
  2. Regulatory divergence will continue and fears will grow that businesses will adopt a defensive posture by complying with the strictest rules – potentially missing out on the benefits of lighter regimes.
  3. Geopolitical tension will begin to determine the AI supply chain and states are wrestling with how to control the movements of hardware and software.
  4. AI superpowers will determine the capabilities of the technology while less AI-capable nations will focus on safety and fairness in their own jurisdictions.

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