From World Models In Artificial Intelligence To Personalized Cancer Vaccines, These Are The Top 10 Emerging Technologies To Watch In 2026

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), the government-backed organization driving Dubai's future-readiness agenda, has released the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2026 report in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the international non-profit best known for its annual Davos meetings.  

This year's edition of the report, which highlights scientific and technological innovations expected to deliver significant impact across economies, industries, and societies in the years ahead, was unveiled at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, China.  

The report has been designed to help governments, businesses, investors, policymakers, researchers, and innovation leaders better understand the technologies that could shape the future. For the second consecutive year, DFF contributed to its evaluation process, with technologies featured in the report selected according to three criteria: novelty, transformative potential, and their expected contribution to a more prosperous and sustainable future. 

In a statement, HE Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, and Chairman of the Museum of the Future, said, “Emerging technologies continue to open new horizons for development and progress. They empower governments to enhance services, improve efficiency, adopt more innovative solutions, and address critical challenges across strategic sectors, ultimately creating tangible benefits for communities around the world.” 

This year's list spans sectors as varied as energy, healthcare, food production, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Here's a closer look at the 10 emerging technologies identified in the report: 

1. Everything-To-Grid Energy 

Everything-to-grid energy enables assets such as vehicles, homes, factories, infrastructure, agricultural land, and open spaces to contribute to renewable energy generation. Using AI and the internet of things, these distributed energy sources can be coordinated and integrated into power grids, supporting a more distributed and collaborative energy ecosystem. 

2. Direct Lithium Extraction 

Direct lithium extraction offers a more efficient way to obtain lithium, a critical material used in batteries and energy storage systems. Compared to traditional evaporation-based methods, this technology reduces environmental impact, lowers water consumption, and reduces its carbon footprint compared with conventional extraction methods.  

3. Passive Radiative Cooling Materials 

Passive radiative cooling materials can naturally release heat without consuming energy. By reflecting more than 95 percent of sunlight, these advanced materials have the potential to reduce cooling requirements for semiconductors, computing systems, and data centers that support growing artificial intelligence workloads. 

4. PFAS Destruction Technologies 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) destruction technologies are designed to break down persistent chemical compounds often found in water supplies. Using methods such as heat treatment, electrochemical processes, and ultraviolet radiation, these technologies could help municipalities and water authorities remove harmful contaminants more effectively. 

5. Precision Fermentation Micro-Factories 

Precision fermentation micro-factories use biological processes to efficiently produce proteins and other compounds used in food, medicine, and materials. The technology could reduce pressure on agricultural resources, strengthen food security, and improve the resilience of global supply chains. 

6. Exosome Drug Delivery 

Exosome drug delivery uses naturally occurring microscopic vesicles to transport medicines directly to targeted areas within the body. The technology could improve treatment effectiveness while supporting faster patient recovery. 

7. Personalized mRNA Cancer Vaccines 

Personalized messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) cancer vaccines are designed to train the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells based on a patient's individual condition. The approach could improve treatment outcomes and reduce the likelihood of cancer recurrence by tailoring therapies to specific patients. 

8. Quantum Simulation For Drug Discovery 

Quantum simulation applies advanced computing techniques to model molecular interactions with a high degree of accuracy. The technology could accelerate drug discovery and development by helping researchers identify promising treatments more efficiently than conventional methods. 

9. World Models In AI 

World models in AI represent a new generation of AI systems capable of analyzing real-world phenomena, human behavior, and operational systems. By moving beyond language-based information, these models aim to develop AI with a broader understanding of the world and more versatile real-world applications. 

10. Lattice-Based Cryptography 

Lattice-based cryptography is being developed to help protect data from future threats posed by quantum computing. Built on complex mathematical structures, the technology is designed to protect information against the advanced computing capabilities expected from future quantum computers.