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Future Signals live: what’s on the horizon for 2026?

29 Jan 2026
58 Victoria Embankment, EC4Y 0DS

This event took place on Thursday 29 January.

Over the course of 2026, groundbreaking innovations and deep societal shifts will change our everyday lives.

Every year, we publish Future Signals: our annual look at the tech and trends to help make sense of what might be on the horizon in the coming year. Drawing on the expertise of foresight experts, we scan the horizon for emerging technology and trends that carry significant, if uncertain, implications for the future. Based on data points, observations and sector insights, Future Signals surfaces ideas and innovations that might be missed at first glance but are nonetheless important.

This year's Future Signals live had guests explore our immersive cinema that brought life to our 2026 signals collection. The interactive event was hosted by BBC Technology Editor Zoe Kleinman.

Guests heard our authors live in conversation as they shared insights on why these signals matter and what they mean for 2026. Attendees gained cutting-edge insights from foresight experts, accessed exclusive content and explored the opportunities, challenges and innovations revealed through our Future Signals collection.

The evening concluded with a networking drinks reception in our events space with panoramic views across London.

The event was aimed at those with an interest in using intelligence about the future to change practice today. This event brought together experts in emerging technologies, foresight, innovation, design, policy and other fields.

Speakers

Zoe-Kleinman-keynote-Speaker

Zoe Kleinman

She/her

Zoe Kleinman is the BBC’s first ever Technology Editor, appointed to the role in 2021. With over 20 years broadcasting experience, Zoe has spent most of her career as a specialist presenter and reporter covering all areas of the tech agenda. She has also presented BBC Radio 4’s PM Programme. From gadgets and games to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, she makes tech news accessible to a mainstream audience of millions across national and international BBC Radio, TV and online outlets including Radio 4’s Today programme, BBC World TV and the UK’s most watched news shows. Zoe has raced drones in the Nevada desert, taken a backseat drive in a driverless car, spent the night in a house full of robots and climbed Mount Everest in Virtual Reality. In 2023 she led the BBC’s coverage of the UK government’s AI Safety Summit. Apple CEO Tim Cook is among the global technology leaders she has interviewed. She’s also reported on Elon Musk’s controversial takeover at Twitter, the volatile world of cryptocurrency, the gender bias in Silicon Valley, Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal, and her exclusive reports about the parents whose children accidentally spend thousands of pounds inside video and mobile games was discussed by politicians and led to a parliamentary committee hearing on gaming and gambling.

Event information

29 Jan 2026

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