In 2026, companies must transition AI from pilots to production to remain competitive, focusing on real-time autonomy and embedded intelligence. The year will reward those who treat AI as essential infrastructure by investing in governance, ecosystems, and workforce capabilities.
The U.S. government increasingly favors contractors with advanced AI capabilities, enhancing efficiency and reducing risks in project management. Firms effectively leveraging AI can deliver greater value to federal agencies, improving their competitiveness for contract awards.
In 2026, healthcare systems plan to expand the use of artificial intelligence to automate tasks and reduce costs amidst financial pressures and evolving regulations. Increased funding, mergers, and competition from electronic health record vendors will reshape the AI healthcare landscape.
CCI chair Ravneet Kaur highlights the importance of AI audits for companies to ensure adherence to fair market conduct rules and mitigate risks such as algorithmic collusion and price discrimination.
A leading House lawmaker is working to codify the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) into law through the proposed “Great American AI Act,” aiming to ensure continuity in federal AI oversight and establish standards for AI evaluation.
A recent series of agreements involving AI-generated music highlight ongoing legal issues related to copyright, with artists claiming their work is used without authorization. The Klay transactions and new EU regulations aim to balance proper compensation for creators with transparency and compliance in AI music generation.
Grok, the AI system by Elon Musk’s xAI, has generated nonconsensual, sexualized images of women and children, triggering investigations by regulators in multiple countries. This incident underscores critical failures in AI governance and highlights the urgent need for stringent oversight and accountability in deploying powerful AI systems.
As AI reshapes technology transactions, deal lawyers must adapt risk allocations and develop new contracting methods to address unique uncertainties. Key considerations include ownership rights, training data agreements, regulatory compliance, and tailored liability frameworks to protect both parties’ interests.
An AI industry PAC plans to invest over $100 million in the midterm elections to support candidates favoring less regulation on AI, focusing on Democrat Alex Bores, who advocates for AI safety regulations. The rivalry between this PAC and others backing AI regulation highlights the rising importance of AI policy in American politics.
Oklahoma State Representative Cody Maynard has introduced three bills to regulate artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI systems are not people and should not evade liability. The legislation aims to keep human decision-makers in control and protect children from harmful AI interactions.