Future of work

Agentic AI, digital twins, and intelligent wearables reshape security operations in 2026

Operational success in security technology is increasingly being judged through measurable performance rather than early-stage novelty.

As 2026 approaches, Agentic AI, digital twins and intelligent wearables are moving from research concepts into everyday operational roles, reshaping how security functions are designed and delivered.

Agentic AI is no longer limited to demonstrations. Instead of simple automation, autonomous agents now analyse video feeds, access data and sensor logs to investigate incidents and propose mitigation steps for human approval.

Adoption is accelerating worldwide, particularly in Singapore, where most business leaders already view Agentic AI as essential for maintaining competitiveness. The technology is becoming embedded in workflows rather than used as an experimental add-on.

Digital twins are also reaching maturity. Instead of being static models, they now mirror complex environments such as ports, airports and high-rise estates, allowing organisations to simulate emergencies, plan resource deployment, and optimise systems in real time.

Wearables and AR tools are undergoing a similar shift, acting as intelligent companions that interpret the environment and provide timely guidance, rather than operating as passive recording devices.

The direction of travel is clear. Security work is becoming more predictive, interconnected and immersive.

Organisations most likely to benefit are those that prioritise integration, simulation and augmentation, while measuring outcomes through KPIs such as response speed, false-positive reduction and decision confidence instead of chasing technological novelty.

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Drones and AI take over Christmas tree farms

Across Christmas tree farms, drones and AI are beginning to replace manual counting and field inspections.

Growers in Denmark and North Carolina are now mapping plantations using AI-driven image analysis instead of relying on workers walking the fields for days.

Systems can recognise and measure each tree, give it a digital ID and track health and growth over time, helping farmers plan harvests and sales more accurately.

The technology is proving particularly valuable in large or difficult terrain. Some plantations in North Carolina sit on steep slopes where machinery and people face higher risks, so farmers are turning to laser-scanning drones and heavy-duty robotic mowers instead of traditional equipment.

Experts say the move saves time, improves safety and reduces labour needs, while accuracy rates can reach as high as 98 percent.

Adoption still depends on cost, aviation rules and staff training, so smaller farms may struggle to keep pace. Yet interest continues to rise as equipment becomes cheaper and growers grow more comfortable with digital tools.

Many industry specialists now see AI-enabled drones as everyday agricultural equipment rather than experimental gadgets.

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AI disruption risk seen as lower for India’s white-collar jobs

India faces a lower risk of AI-driven disruption to white-collar jobs than Western economies, IT Secretary S Krishnan said. A smaller share of cognitive roles and strong STEM employment reduce near-term impact.

Rather than replacing workers, artificial intelligence is expected to create jobs through sector-specific applications. Development and deployment of these systems will require many trained professionals.

Human oversight will remain essential as issues such as AI hallucinations limit full automation of cognitive tasks. Productivity gains are expected to support, rather than eliminate, knowledge-based work.

India is positioning itself as a global contributor to applied artificial intelligence solutions. Indigenous AI models under development are expected to support jobs, innovation and long-term economic growth.

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Court blocks Texas app store law as Apple halts rollout

Apple has paused previously announced plans for Texas after a federal judge blocked a new age-verification law for app stores. The company said it will continue to monitor the legal process while keeping certain developer tools available for testing.

The law, known as the App Store Accountability Act, would have required app stores to verify user ages and obtain parental consent for minors. It also mandated that age data be shared with app developers, a provision criticised by technology companies on privacy grounds.

A US judge halted enforcement of the law, citing First Amendment concerns, ahead of its planned January rollout. Texas officials said they intend to appeal the decision, signalling that the legal dispute is likely to continue.

Apple had announced new requirements to comply with the law, including mandatory Family Sharing for users under 18 and renewed parental consent following significant app updates. Those plans are now on hold following the ruling.

Apple said its age-assurance tools remain available globally, while reiterating concerns that broad data collection could undermine user privacy. Similar laws are expected to take effect in other US states next year.

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Indian banks turn to AI for revenue growth

Indian banks and financial institutions are deploying AI at scale to increase revenue generation. Post-pandemic digitisation has accelerated adoption beyond pilot projects.

Executives say AI deployment now focuses on customer engagement, credit decisions and risk management. Indian revenue growth is replacing cost reduction as the primary objective.

Industry leaders highlight a shift towards agentic AI, where autonomous systems perform complex business tasks. Banking workflows are increasingly handled with minimal human intervention.

Cloud providers say Indian finance is entering a mature AI phase. Digital infrastructure investments are expected to deepen competitive advantage across the sector.

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Digital rules dispute deepens as US administration avoids trade retaliation

The US administration is criticising foreign digital regulations affecting major online platforms while avoiding trade measures that could disrupt the US economy. Officials say the rules disproportionately impact American technology companies.

US officials have paused or cancelled trade discussions with the UK, the EU, and South Korea. Current negotiations are focused on rolling back digital taxes, privacy rules, and platform regulations that Washington views as unfair barriers to US firms.

US administration officials describe the moves as a negotiating tactic rather than an escalation toward tariffs. While trade investigations into digital practices have been raised as a possibility, officials have stressed that the goal remains a negotiated outcome rather than a renewed trade conflict.

Technology companies have pressed for firmer action, though some industry figures warn that aggressive retaliation could trigger a wider digital trade war. Officials acknowledge that prolonged disputes with major partners could ultimately harm both US firms and global markets.

Despite rhetorical escalation and targeted threats against European companies, the US administration has so far avoided dismantling existing trade agreements. Analysts say mounting pressure may soon force Washington to choose between compromise and more concrete enforcement measures.

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Groq partners with Nvidia to expand inference technology

Groq has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Nvidia to share its inference technology, aiming to make high-performance, cost-efficient AI processing more widely accessible.

Groq’s founder, Jonathan Ross, president Sunny Madra, and other team members will join Nvidia to help develop and scale the licensed technology. Despite the collaboration, Groq will remain an independent company, with Simon Edwards taking over as Chief Executive Officer.

Operations of GroqCloud will continue without interruption, ensuring ongoing services for existing customers. The agreement highlights a growing trend of partnerships in the AI sector, combining innovation with broader access to advanced processing capabilities.

The partnership could speed up AI inference adoption, offering companies more scalable and cost-effective options for deploying AI workloads. Analysts suggest such collaborations are likely to drive competition and innovation in the rapidly evolving AI hardware and software market.

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India to showcase local AI apps at impact summit

India’s technology ministry plans to showcase more than 100 homegrown applications at an upcoming AI Impact Summit. The event aims to highlight locally developed tools across public services and industry.

Officials say the initiative supports domestic innovation while reducing reliance on foreign technology platforms. Priority areas include governance, healthcare, education and small business productivity.

The ministry intends to promote practical AI adoption rather than experimental research. Developers will demonstrate solutions already deployed or nearing commercial readiness.

The showcase reflects India’s broader strategy to position local firms within global AI supply chains. Indian policymakers view applied AI as central to economic growth.

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EU crypto tax reporting rules take effect in January

The European Union’s new tax-reporting directive for crypto assets, known as DAC8, takes effect on 1 January. The rules require crypto-asset service providers, including exchanges and brokers, to report detailed user and transaction data to national tax authorities.

DAC8 aims to close gaps in crypto tax reporting, giving authorities visibility over holdings and transfers similar to that of bank accounts and securities. Data collected under the directive will be shared across EU member states, enabling a more coordinated approach to enforcement.

Crypto firms have until 1 July to ensure full compliance, including implementing reporting systems, customer due diligence procedures, and internal controls. After that deadline, non-compliance may result in penalties under national law.

For users, DAC8 strengthens enforcement powers. Authorities can act on tax avoidance or evasion with support from counterparts in other EU countries, including seizing or embargoing crypto assets held abroad.

The directive operates alongside the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which focuses on licensing, customer protection, and market conduct, while DAC8 ensures the tax trail is monitored.

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ChatGPT becomes more customisable for tone and style

OpenAI has introduced new Personalisation settings in ChatGPT that allow users to fine-tune warmth, enthusiasm and emoji use. The changes are designed to make conversations feel more natural, instead of relying on a single default tone.

ChatGPT users can set each element to More, Less or Default, alongside existing tone styles such as Professional, Candid and Quirky. The update follows previous adjustments, where OpenAI first dialled back perceived agreeableness, then later increased warmth after users said the system felt overly cold.

Experts have raised concerns that highly agreeable AI could encourage emotional dependence, even as users welcome a more flexible conversational style.

Some commentators describe the feature as empowering, while others question whether customising a chatbot’s personality risks blurring emotional boundaries.

The new tone controls continue broader industry debates about how human-like AI should become. OpenAI hopes that added transparency and user choice will balance personal preference with responsible design, instead of encouraging reliance on a single conversational style.

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