THE next era of artificial intelligence will depend less on bigger models and more on the plumbing that lets autonomous agents operate reliably, securely and efficiently. That’s the bet reflected in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Technology Pioneers cohort.
The 100 early-stage companies selected from 23 countries are building the software and physical infrastructure needed for AI to move from demos to real-world deployment, identity and payments rails for AI agents, energy and compute systems to handle soaring demand, and tools to integrate autonomous systems into enterprises. As these foundations mature, AI agents are likely to shift from assistants to operators managing workflows, transactions and industrial processes with minimal human oversight.
The World Economic Forum announced its 2026 Technology Pioneers cohort, recognising 100 companies developing breakthrough technologies with the potential to transform industries and societies. This year’s cohort stands out for focusing on the infrastructure required to power AI at scale, rather than consumer applications alone. Two groups dominate the list. The first is building foundations for autonomous AI agents, including identity verification, payments, security and enterprise integration.
ANI
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