Each year, the Norwegian Board of Technology produces a trend report for the Norwegian Parliament that highlights current and important issues where technology plays a central role.
The backdrop for this year’s report is a situation in which NATO is being undermined from the top, trade and supply chains are being weaponised, and international institutions such as the UN, WHO and COP have been sidelined by Trump’s unpredictable United States.
Download the report in Norwegian below:
Teknotrender for Stortinget 2026
The trends for 2026 are:
Space is filling up with satellites, private companies – and weapons
China and the United States are competing for technological dominance and strategic control in outer space, while low Earth orbits are filling up with commercial satellites.
Autonomous drones cross borders
On the front lines in Ukraine, drones now account for the majority of casualties. At the same time, European airspace is being subjected to increasingly sophisticated hybrid warfare.
The chatbot becomes best friend, therapist and romantic partner
The use of empathetic AI chatbots is exploding across society, with children and young people among the heaviest users.
Mega-batteries could boost emergency preparedness and save Norway from grid expansion
The power grid today must be built to handle the hours of peak demand each year. Large battery containers can absorb these peaks and strengthen emergency preparedness.
Minerals shift the tech race underground
China’s control over rare earth elements put a stop to Trump’s trade war. Advanced technology, defence, industry – and society at large – are entirely dependent on critical minerals.
