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Public Safety Top 10 Trends for 2026

Publisher IDC
Published Jan 27, 2026
Length 11 Pages
SKU # IDC20818890

Description

This IDC Perspective outlines 10 technology trends set to transform public safety by 2026, with artificial intelligence evolving into foundational infrastructure. The analysis highlights the shift toward integrated, usable, and resilient systems, emphasizing operational convergence, AI agents, modular ecosystems, and advanced air and space–based capabilities. Legal, ethical, and sovereignty considerations are central, as is the need for engineered trust. Agencies must prioritize governance, adaptability, and human oversight to maximize effectiveness and public legitimacy."In 2026, public safety will be defined not by isolated innovation but by AI-powered integration, where trust, sovereignty, and human judgment become mission-critical infrastructure," said Alison Brooks, PhD, research VP, Public Safety, IDC.

Table of Contents

11 Pages

Executive Snapshot

Situation Overview

Meta trend: Artificial intelligence as public safety infrastructure

1. Drones and advanced air mobility redefine response

2. Virtual environments become live command infrastructure

3. Usability becomes mission critical

4. AI agents as operational teammates

5. Ecosystems supplant suites

6. The mosaic theory reshapes operations

8. Space-based services for resilience

9. Digital sovereignty defines architecture

10. Trust becomes a technical problem

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