The Trends—and Traps—Shaping 2026
The global business landscape in 2026 is marked by intensifying regulatory oversight, rapid technological maturation, shifting market expectations , and accelerating political realignments. Organizations across industries and global regions are preparing for emerging opportunities and challenges that will shape decision-making in the year ahead.
Key Takeaways
- Regulatory oversight is intensifying, even as enforcement approaches shift across agencies and jurisdictions.
- Artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to governance, with growing focus on oversight, validation, and risk.
- Market activity in areas such as private credit, data centers, and M&A continues amid regulatory and economic uncertainty.
- Congressional investigations, agency coordination, and government oversight are expected to increase heading into the 2026 midterm cycle.
- Climate, energy, digital assets, healthcare, and international trade regulation remain dynamic and uneven across regions.
In this year’s report, Morgan Lewis lawyers assess the trends and emerging risk areas organizations are likely to encounter in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on developments ranging from geopolitical recalibration and regulatory change to the continued expansion of transformative technologies, the report delivers a forward-looking perspective designed to support informed strategy and purposeful decision-making.
The report spans business operations, government regulation and legislation, emerging technology, climate and energy, disputes, digital assets and fintech, healthcare and life sciences, international trade and sanctions, and other priority areas affecting global organizations.
