Looking ahead to 2026, our team explores how AI is settling into daily workflows while human judgment and creativity remain central to shaping the web.
With the year drawing to a close and the holidays approaching, it feels like the right moment to consider what’s next. We asked several Sparkboxers to share their predictions for how the web will evolve in 2026. Here’s what they had to say.
Rise: AI Moves from Hype to Integration
In previous years, AI has dominated tech conversations, igniting questions about job security and its capabilities. Now, people across industries use AI regularly and many, especially in tech, understand better what it can and can’t do well. In 2026, AI becomes normalized as a practical tool rather than a miracle solution or existential threat. We’ll keep experimenting with new models and new AI tools, but with a clearer baseline of when and how to use them effectively.
With that normalization comes a cultural shift away from the ‘look what AI made’ approach and novelty phase of the last few years. Early adoption was marked by awe at AI’s capabilities, often leading to unvetted output being pushed live. I predict (or manifest, maybe?) a return to intentionality: using AI to assist in creation rather than outsourcing the work to AI entirely. The goal is human-crafted work with AI assistance, not AI-generated work with perfunctory human approval.
Natalie: AI in Project Management
I believe we’ve firmly moved beyond the “exploring” stage regarding AI. Although new companies and tools constantly emerge, from a project perspective, AI and automation are now intrinsic to how projects are managed. These new tools will continue to improve the integration of scheduling, staffing, risk identification, and mitigation, allowing project managers more time to shift from monitoring tasks to analyzing data, strategy, and project outcomes. Consequently, project managers will have more opportunities to interpret insights and act sooner and more effectively throughout the project.
Additionally, I think this will allow the emphasis on value and outcomes to remain centered on the human perspective. Delivering on time and within budget will no longer suffice; instead, there will be a greater focus on identifying value and strategic alignment that extends beyond the specific project at hand. While this has always been a goal, project managers will increasingly focus on delivering overall value to clients rather than merely overseeing governance. This shift could lead to more frequent discussions about the work’s purpose and enable faster pivots when the impact or ROI isn’t immediately apparent. Overall, this is an exciting time to truly deliver value in the project management space.
Jelly: The Human Touch Matters More Than Ever
Great design comes from lived experience. Automation from AI can speed up our process, but it’s iteration and intuition that uncover real pain points. AI can make products feel more personal through smart recommendations and insights, but too much can cross the line. A human can sense when something feels genuine versus intrusive, or when to follow the rules and when to break them. AI should enhance our work, not replace the authenticity that connects people to what we create.
We’ve seen this tension before with tools like Squarespace or Wix: quick and easy to use sites, but often at the cost of individuality. The same balance applies now. The brands that will stand out in 2026 are those that use tech where it adds value and rely on empathy, creativity, and user feedback to keep their work unique.
Leah: Redefining Design and UX Leaders
Design and UX leadership is evolving. In 2026, strong leaders won’t just guide visual or interaction design, they will be tasked with helping their teams understand when and how to collaborate with AI. That means coaching designers to think beyond our current way of designing and to learn how to prompt effectively, evaluate AI-generated outcomes, and set thoughtful boundaries for when to automate and when to design by hand.
At the same time, non-design team members will increasingly use AI tools to generate rough ideas. This creates an opportunity for design leaders to educate others on UX fundamentals. The better everyone understands best practices, the stronger those early ideas will be, resulting in smoother collaboration across teams.
Merani: From Concept to Canvas: AI’s Role as a Rapid Sketching Partner in UI Design
As we move into 2026, AI’s integration into creative workflows is accelerating, reshaping how designers approach early-stage ideation. Rather than replacing human creativity, AI is becoming a rapid sketching partner, helping designers quickly explore multiple directions and visualize ideas before committing to one. In UI design, this trend means faster iteration, more ambitious exploration, and more time for human refinement. The best outcomes will remain deeply human, but AI will help us reach them sooner, pushing our ideas further and freeing us to focus on meaning, nuance, and experience.
Chris: AI Evolves Into Both A User and A Tool
AI is no longer just something we use; it’s becoming an active participant in the experiences we create. In the next year, UX professionals will need to consider both the human user and the AI “agent” that interacts alongside them.
For example, as search engines like Google continue to prioritize generative AI in their results, the way users discover and engage with content is undergoing a fundamental change. For designers and strategists, this means AI must now be considered a key audience in the design and build process. Content hierarchy, semantic HTML, metadata, and contextual clarity all become crucial design decisions because these elements influence how AI agents interpret and present site information to users. In short, designing for AI visibility and comprehension is now an integral part of designing for the human experience.
This dual perspective, designing for and with AI, will transform how we approach flows, feedback, and success. After all, if AI is now part of the user journey, then it deserves the same thoughtful design attention we give to any human touchpoint.
Looking Ahead
As we head into 2026 and beyond, one thing is certain: AI is going to affect every part of the industry. Our job is to keep learning, experimenting, and staying curious. If you’re available on February 19, we’d love to have you join us at our Q1 UnConference, The Intersection of Human Expertise and AI, to see what we’re discovering.
