Hypergen’s AI predictions for 2026 – SaaS is under pressure as AI shifts from proof of concept to proof of value

Hi  

We wanted to share the following trends and predictions from the team of AI experts at Hypergen as we head into 2026.

Hypergen's CEO, Alex Papli says senior leaders including Chief Digital Officers and directors will be looking for results that show value and not just proof of concepts. AI will become part of everyday tools that business people use.

The increasing use of AI will accelerate as the costs of delivery fall as the technology becomes more ubiquitous and commoditised.

Below is more detail and commentary. Please let me know if you would like to talk to Alex further about this.

Best regards

Anthony

anthony@anthonycaruana.com

+61 431 474 370

1. The Chief Digital Officer Role Expands - and AI Comes Under Their Banner

As AI becomes operational rather than experimental, the Chief Digital Officer will become increasingly influential over analytics and AI. Success with AI requires a blend of technical capability and business prioritisation - not just data science. In 2026, we'll see digital and data teams merge, reflecting that to do AI effectively means uniting technology expertise with customer and business insight.

2. "Vibe Coding" will begin to replace the SaaS Business Model

Vibe coding that leverage Generative AI will change the economics of software creation. Using natural-language "vibe coding" and full code AI agents will enable organisations to build functional tools that rival many SaaS products - at often less than the price of a single year's renewal. Apps that are little more than glorified forms or basic CRMs will feel the squeeze first.

To survive, SaaS apps will need strong differentiators, such as exclusive API integrations such as bank feeds, police checks and other processes. Or they will need to build deep domain expertise that can't easily be replicated. The boundary between "build" and "buy" will blur and organisations will have the upper hand at the negotiation table.

3. Workflow Automation Becomes the Killer App

In 2026, the big near-term payoff from AI will come from automation, not chatbots or predictive analytics. New AI agents will "use" software the way a human does, including legacy desktop apps, unlocking automation in places that were previously off-limits. Non-technical teams will reap the benefits of low-code tools that include AI builders to automate complex workflows that span systems and departments.

4. Voice Becomes the Next Major AI Interface

Over the next year, voice will become the dominant way people interact with AI. Transcription is now cheap, accurate, multilingual and instant making voice the most natural way to interact with AI. Employees will increasingly talk to ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or Microsoft Word instead of typing, while voice-based AI agents will help customers self-serve in the language that best works for them. 

5. AI Without Perfect Data: Boards Start Asking for Evidence of Progress

In 2026, boards will stop accepting "we're not ready - our data isn't clean yet" as an excuse. Executives will recognise that generative AI thrives on unstructured data stored in online data repositories like Google Drive, Amazon S3, SharePoint and email. The quest for perfect data will fall away as organisations realise they no longer need the perfect data warehouse once thought essential for AI. The focus will shift from data perfection to business impact. And directors will ask for visible proof of progress in AI adoption and measurable efficiency gains.