A senior technology leader at Dell has outlined that sovereign AI and agentic AI will be among the key forces shaping the tech landscape in 2026. According to this perspective, the next wave of artificial intelligence will not just be about smarter algorithms, but about how organisations and nations choose to control and deploy AI systems in ways that align with their strategic priorities and regulatory frameworks.
Sovereign AI refers to systems built and governed within specific national or organisational boundaries, giving governments and enterprises more control over their data, compute infrastructure, and compliance with local laws. This trend is driven by growing concerns over data privacy, geopolitical competition, and the desire to reduce reliance on global tech monopolies. By investing in sovereign AI stacks, countries hope to strengthen digital autonomy and protect critical infrastructure.
Agentic AI, on the other hand, describes systems capable of acting more independently, with the ability to make decisions or take actions on behalf of users or organisations. This includes AI agents that can execute complex business processes, negotiate across digital platforms, or autonomously manage workflows. As these capabilities improve, businesses are expected to rethink traditional IT models and shift toward intelligent automation that can adapt and respond in real time.
Looking ahead, the combination of sovereign and agentic AI is anticipated to influence technology strategies across sectors. Organisations that embrace sovereign approaches may gain advantages in security and compliance, while those that adopt agentic systems could see productivity and innovation gains. However, both trends also raise important questions about oversight, accountability, and ethical use — meaning that 2026 will likely be a year of both technological advancement and intense policy conversation.
