DE-CIX predicts AI revolution in finance, healthcare & industry by 2026
DE-CIX has published its top three technology predictions for 2026, outlining expected developments in emotion AI, healthcare connectivity, and agentic AI in manufacturing, alongside the infrastructure required to support these advancements.
Emotion AI in finance
In the financial services sector, DE-CIX predicts that 2026 will mark significant changes with the introduction of emotionally adaptive artificial intelligence. These systems, capable of detecting customer emotions such as stress or frustration, promise more natural and personalised banking experiences. The market for emotion AI in finance is forecast to reach USD $9 billion by 2030.
The implementation of the US Open Banking rule will require financial institutions to share account data through standardised APIs, paving the way for further innovation in embedded finance and third-party fintech services. However, DE-CIX notes that regulatory scrutiny will intensify. Under Europe's AI Act, emotion AI is classified as "high-risk" technology, potentially limiting the ways in which such data can be utilised.
DE-CIX highlights the regulatory paradox at play: as more emotional and biometric data is generated and collected, tighter regulations may reduce the freedom to use it. Sovereign interconnection will be necessary to manage this sensitive data effectively and securely.
AI in healthcare
DE-CIX's outlook sees advances in AI transforming healthcare significantly in 2026. Examples include hospital-connected ambulances able to stream live high-resolution video and patient data, and AI-controlled traffic management to clear routes for emergency vehicles. The increased use of wearable devices and AI-backed electronic health records is expected to accelerate the speed and accuracy of treatment decisions by delivering patient data to healthcare providers prior to arrival.
The market for healthcare connectivity is anticipated to expand rapidly, from USD $95.3 billion in 2024 to USD $362.7 billion by 2030. This growth will be made possible by advancements in 5G, beyond 5G (B5G), and satellite communications.
Agentic AI in manufacturing
In the manufacturing sector, DE-CIX forecasts that agentic AI systems will begin to direct not just individual factory floors but entire industrial processes by 2026. Functions such as predictive maintenance, quality control, and fully automated production chains are set to be overseen by AI. One driver of change is AI-enabled 3D printing, which will facilitate the mass production of customised goods.
Industry trends are expected to support the shift to re-shoring and the establishment of micro-factories closer to consumers, strategies aimed at reducing supply chain risks and carbon emissions. DE-CIX notes that autonomous production, even in extreme environments such as the lunar surface, is being considered, as seen in NASA's exploration of 3D printing facilities using local materials.
Infrastructure requirements
DE-CIX emphasises that algorithms alone will not drive the coming wave of transformation. Instead, robust digital infrastructure will be critical to enable low-latency, secure data exchange and ensure the performance of real-time AI services. The acceleration of edge processing and the proliferation of micro data centres are identified as essential elements, supporting interconnected urban and industrial hubs where data can be exchanged instantly.
"As businesses push capabilities closer to data sources, micro data centers will proliferate across urban and industrial landscapes," says Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX. "Orchestration of fiber, mobile, and satellite networks in an interconnected mesh will be essential to ensure reach everywhere. Innovative interconnection solutions at Internet Exchanges - from cloud and AI routing to exclusive private environments of selected partners - give companies sovereignty, control, and high-performance connectivity for every AI use case."
DE-CIX's new AI-IX concept enables secure and high-performance access to AI workloads, allowing organisations to build business-specific and closed AI user groups, separated from the public internet. As AI adoption expands in industries from banking to healthcare and manufacturing, requirements for edge interconnection, distributed GPU clusters, and dynamic orchestration are forecast to grow accordingly. DE-CIX asserts that internet interconnection will serve as the foundational infrastructure underpinning future AI-driven business models.
