Business Trends in 2026: AI in Consulting, Electric Vehicle Production, and Data Centre Boom
Australian Financial Review
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Details
- Date Published
- 9 Jan 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 9 Jan 2026, 03:30 am
Description
Artificial intelligence is striking fear into the heart of management consultants everywhere. It is one of nine key business trends to watch this year.
Summary
The article evaluates several business trends projected for 2026, focusing on how artificial intelligence is disrupting management consulting. Fear among major consulting firms like Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC reflects AI’s capacity to transform traditional business sectors. Additionally, the article highlights other influential trends such as the energy transition, electric vehicle production, and a surge in data center construction. Although the article touches on AI's impact on industry, it does not delve deeply into catastrophic risks or safety implications, instead providing a broad overview of technological and economic forecasts.
Body
Staff writersJan 9, 2026 – 1.24pmSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginThe golden era of management consulting may be over, and artificial intelligence may be responsible. That’s the fear gripping the big four consulting firms – Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC. It’s one of the key trends likely to shape business in the year ahead, as identified by reporters from The Australian Financial Review.From the effects of AI on management consulting to the make-or-break year for the energy transition, the massive data centre building boom, or the future for property and electric vehicles, here are nine trends to watch in 2026.Loading...SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreAIBig four consultantsData centresCommercial property financeEnergy transitionConsultingElectric vehiclesAFR WeekendFetching latest articlesThe 10 top AFR Magazine reads of 2025The untold story of the most lethal Sydney to Hobart race in 26 years24 new watches to ring out the year (from $170 to $218k)10 health hacks that keep these CEOs in shapeRachael BoltonThe 5 biggest corporate stuff-ups of 2025Leaders fail because they don’t understand one thing, says this CEOAfter Sass & Bide’s $70m sale, here’s what Heidi Middleton did nextLauren SamsThis data reveals how big the Australian Open has becomeDoes this surprising Alfa Romeo signal a real change for the brand?Peter Fox on extended leave at Linfox as non-family directors step upJames Eyers and Joyce MoullakisCash cow: WA dairy booms thanks to billionaire Gina Rinehart’s backingCan you beat our experts’ 21 predictions for 2026?