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Byte-Sized Brief
- Dell’s Jeff Clarke outlines key AI trends shaping 2026.
- Companies will overhaul systems for rising AI demand.
- Edge models and robotic tools will broaden AI’s reach.
Dell COO Jeff Clarke said in a Forbes article that 2026 will bring a fresh set of choices for companies as AI changes how their systems and workflows operate. He points to AI taking on more of the everyday work that slows teams down (think customer support) and says that companies that respond quickly to adapt to AI will remain more competitive.
He also predicts that organizations will revisit the systems they built before generative AI became widely used. Many will want more control over their data, leading to a mix of on-premises hardware, cloud for extra capacity, and AI PCs that handle decisions locally. Clarke adds that rising token use will put new pressure on storage, networking, and orchestration, not just GPUs.
Clarke’s outlook includes smaller, task-specific LLMs running on laptops and other equipment to keep data local and cut down on delays. He also discusses early signs of physical AI, suggesting scenarios such as drone swarms or line-crawling robots that could take on work across fields, grids, and other job sites.
He expects more of this to appear in logistics, agriculture, and infrastructure as companies seek safer, faster ways to get things done.
The Bottom Line
According to Dell’s COO, 2026 will push companies to move faster, update their systems, and prepare for AI that works locally. The businesses that plan for these changes will be in a better spot as AI becomes a bigger part of everyday work.
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