2026 Predictions from TeamViewer CEO Oliver Steil

In the race to build the smartest AI, the next competitive edge won't come from more data, faster models, or advanced algorithms - it will come from trust. As technology becomes more autonomous and integrated into daily business, a key question arises: who's really in control?

This question is prompting the tech industry to pause and reflect. After years of prioritizing speed and scale, the focus is shifting to responsibility - how systems are designed, the data they rely on, and transparency. Forward-thinking organizations understand that adoption must be earned, not assumed. They are creating mechanisms that give users real control over AI, making participation a conscious choice, not a default.

Trust now underpins technology itself, influencing data collection, system explanations, and user control. As AI moves into daily work, transparency and consent will determine which tools last and which fade away.

When hype diminishes and regulation advances, one thing remains clear: trust takes time to build, but once earned, it becomes the most lasting asset in technology.