In just a few years, AI has gone from a tech novelty to a society-altering force. It has revolutionized scientific research, classrooms and workplaces. People around the planet have turned to it to break through writer’s block and to contest parking tickets.
But that growth has not come without risks. The economy is increasingly propped up by bets about the technology’s future — 80% of U.S. stock gains last year came from AI companies. Policy battles are ramping up as some seek to rein in tech companies and others opt for an unregulated Wild West. Deepfake and explicit videos are causing harm and blurring what is real in an already fragmented information environment.
As a global leader in the development of AI technology as well as research into the ethics, policies and practices around its use, UC Berkeley’s experts are at the forefront of this rapidly changing technology. UC Berkeley News asked 11 AI experts across campus to summarize in 100 words – and in a short phrase – the developments they’ll be monitoring in 2026.
Several researchers affiliated with the UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society provided responses, including college dean Jennifer Chayes.
‘AI-enabled discoveries that benefit people’
"Major technology paradigm shifts like AI come with significant benefits and risks, and I expect AI will become ever more part of our daily lives in 2026," said Chayes.
"Individuals and industries are finding exciting new uses for personalized agents and related technologies. For example, AI accelerates scientific discovery in ways that were previously unimaginable.
"Conversations about the responsible and ethical use of AI should be prioritized across sectors and civil society. We must work collaboratively to mitigate AI’s potential harms and find inclusive ways to empower people.
"Our challenge is to apply AI to advance knowledge, expand understanding and benefit humanity," she said.
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- UC Berkeley News: 11 things UC Berkeley AI experts are watching for in 2026
