Businesses all across Australia are benefiting from increased digitisation in the workplace. Technology is quickly changing the way we work, increasing productivity, saving costs, boosting efficiency and creating a more mobile and agile workforce. Digitisation is also developing a more flexible way to work where adaptability and diversification are key to future success.
Such benefits also come with many challenges. Many organisations are now actively assisting employees to carefully manage increased communication and collaboration to avoid burn-out. Meanwhile, organisations also need to keep up with security, as well as the latest trends in technology that are relevant to their business.
Research shows that 60% of workers would look for a new job if remote or hybrid flexibility were removed. In fact, many Australians are now looking for jobs where technology supports work-life balance, giving them the ability to work flexible hours of choice. Indeed, the mobile population in organisations continues to grow rapidly and businesses are expected to keep up with the tech to support this trend.
There are some tech trends that sizzle hard then quickly burn out. Then there are those that gain traction and begin their journey into the mainstream. Let's talk about the ones to watch in 2026.
The World Economic Forum reports that AI is expected to create 97 million new jobs while eliminating 85 million—a net gain of 12 million positions globally. The real benefits of AI reside in the combination of human and artificial intelligence, where technology augments rather than replaces human capabilities.
Many significant innovations in the past have been associated with a transition period of temporary job loss, followed by recovery, then business transformation—and AI is following this route.
So in 2026, businesses are no longer wondering "if" they will adopt AI, but how they can do so responsibly. An empowered, capable, prepared and well-trained workforce is key to the successful adoption of AI in document management and its consequences, including boosting economic growth. Kyocera's managed IT services can help your organisation navigate AI adoption with confidence.
In 2026, as we observe automation becoming business-as-usual, we're seeing how it plays into many business's digital initiatives and how humans who work alongside machines are transforming the workplace for the better.
As automation spreads further through organisations, leaders from all levels (C-suite to the frontline) need to redefine workplace processes to take advantage of opportunities extending far beyond simply cost cutting. In fact, McKinsey notes that successful automation has become an important competitive differentiator for companies. Kyocera's process automation services help businesses streamline workflows and reduce manual tasks.
According to IoT Analytics, 21.1 billion connected devices are now in use globally in 2025, with projections reaching 39 billion by 2030. This is what we call the Internet of Things (IoT).
IoT is a network of objects including mobile devices, computers, appliances, vehicles and others, which are connected to the internet and can exchange data without the need for human interaction. Think about smart fridges that order your groceries for you, or your forgotten garage door putting itself down when it knows you've left the house.
As technology evolves and improves and the internet becomes faster, so do the 'things'. Increases in processing power and the speed at which data can be relayed mean the market is becoming exponentially larger. And with more connected 'things' comes the inevitable increase in cybercrime that targets IoT devices. Malware designed to infiltrate connected devices continues to evolve, with routers accounting for 75% of all IoT attacks. Making sure that IoT devices are properly protected with robust network security solutions is vital in 2026.
In 2026, 5G coverage now reaches over 95% of Australia's population, with 90% of mobile subscribers forecast to use 5G and emerging 6G networks by 2030. It delivers faster network speeds (capable of download speeds as fast as 20Gbps), lower latency, more simultaneous connections and the fuel to grow the IoT.
All this speed means that data is moving to and from devices in vast quantities while users are connecting evermore devices. The maturity of 5G is also opening the door for new applications in AR/VR, industrial automation and real-time collaboration.
Aside from fuelling IoT growth, 5G continues to boost reliance on cloud storage and enables new business capabilities. Kyocera's ICT services provide the infrastructure support needed to take full advantage of these connectivity advances.
3D Printing or additive manufacturing is now well and truly making its mark on the world. Grand View Research reports the industry reached $30.55 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $168.93 billion by 2033, driven by companies increasingly using the technology for both rapid prototyping and end-use production.
There is particular growth in fields like manufacturing where 3D printing offers a vastly reduced time-to-market by significantly speeding up and reducing the cost of the prototyping and iteration process. Coupled with the advent and increased availability of accurate and lower cost 3D scanning options, the ability to replicate parts is now more accessible and achievable, driving the demand for 3D printing.
Additionally, an increased focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects in education has seen continued take-up of 3D printing devices within educational institutions. Undoubtedly, this will continue as device and consumable prices drop further and the user experience is further simplified, availing itself to adoption by a non-specialist user-base.
Workplace behaviours have shifted and the tools required are advancing too. Workers are using collaborative work management platforms and instant-messaging tools in order to work from anywhere at any time. Not only is this changing the way we work, but it's also improving it, with Deloitte research finding that 73% of employees who engage in collaborative work report improved performance. The ability to use these sorts of collaboration tools has become essential in 2026 and beyond.
Advances in technology can be disrupting but also beneficial to a business. It's essential that your business stays in touch with the latest technology trends for 2026—and prepares your workforce for what's coming.
To learn more on how to prepare your IT department to support the future office, download the Workplaces of the Future eBook.
KYOCERA Document Solutions provides document management solutions with long-life print technology that delivers greater productivity, reliability and uptime.