Colt Technology Services - Experts & Thought Leaders

Colt Technology Services (Colt), the global digital infrastructure company, released the key enterprise technology and market trends it expects to dominate the CIO agenda in 2026.   Based on customer insights, market intelligence and its own proprietary research, Colt anticipates AI Inference, the evolution of NaaS to ‘NaaS 2.0’ and quantum-safe security to shape the technology landscape over the next 12 months. Ever-changing regulatory environment “CIOs will continue to face headwinds in 2026 as they balance complex business transformation programs at scale – often centered around AI – with ongoing cost-reduction programs in an ever-changing regulatory environment,” said Buddy Bayer, chief operating officer, Colt Technology Services. “But there’s huge opportunity too: AI programs are beginning to mature, digital infrastructure has greater capacity than ever before, and we’re seeing an evolution of solutions like NaaS which are reshaping our digital experiences. It’s an exciting time and, at Colt, we’re leading the way for our customers.” New ways to generate ROI from AI Businesses continue to drive major investments in AI, but ROI, value creation and monetisation are proving elusive. Colt’s research finds one in five global firms spend US$750,000 annually on AI while 95% of the respondents in a recent MIT report study see no return on their investments. This misalignment between spending and measurable returns will shrink in 2026, as AI projects mature and begin to generate ROI, and as businesses find new ways to create value from AI. More vendors will build in AI maturity assessments and structured ROI models to help businesses define, track and quantify value across their AI tools. AI inference and Agentic AI 2026 will see AI inferencing reaching the next level of maturity, shifting from experimentation to integration into the enterprise IT environment, extracting insight, making predictions, and enabling smarter, context-aware decisions in real-time. McKinsey expects AI inference to account for a majority of AI workloads by 2030. This won’t just be limited to enterprises: Agentic AI, driven by inference, will be the force behind the automation and digitalisation of day-to-day consumer tasks from privacy management and healthcare to scheduling assistance and management of household chores, according to research from the IEEE. AI Wide Area Networking (WAN) Many of Colt’s conversations with customers centre around digital infrastructure’s ability to manage and optimise the performance, latency and security needed for AI workloads. AI WAN moves the conversation towards software-driven wide area networks, built for AI workloads, which dynamically manage AI traffic for peak performance and ensure application-level security of critical data. Innovation in sustainable networking technologies Similarly, AI workloads transmitted over transatlantic cables will grow in 2026 and are projected to surge from just 8% of total capacity in 2025 to 30% by 20351, placing additional strain on global network routes. Innovative tech trials and global partnerships are pioneering technologies which boost performance without increasing energy consumption or carbon emissions. Sovereign AI As nations grow their AI investments and regulations around AI governance come into force across many of the world’s major economies, sovereign AI is gaining momentum. It will rise up the CIO’s agenda as countries and organisations build and run their own AI systems using their own data, infrastructure, people, and rules. Sovereign AI is becoming more prevalent and increasingly important as nations look to stay in control of their technology, protect their data, and stay resilient in a world increasingly shaped by AI. NaaS 2.0 The NaaS market continues to grow, driven by a number of factors from AI, edge computing and cloud adoption to enterprises’ need to build in flexibility as they navigate dynamic global markets. Colt research found 58% of the 1500 CIOs it questioned said they were increasing their use of NaaS features due to growing AI demands.  In 2026 and beyond, people will see NaaS evolve to meet the demands of the AI era, moving beyond its traditional role in supporting digital experiences. The next generation of NaaS will be intelligent, automated, and outcome-focused, designed to deliver real-time performance, adaptability, and autonomy for AI-driven enterprises. Quantum security Rise in quantum security investment as Q Day gets nearer CIOs are under constant pressure to protect their data and infrastructure from emerging risk, and as governments and businesses develop a deeper understanding of quantum’s power and potential, attention and investment turn to quantum security. In its 2026 Technology and Security Predictions report2, Forrester forecasts that quantum security spending will exceed 5% of enterprises’ overall IT budget next year, while a report from The Quantum Insider estimates the quantum security market to grow at over 50% CAGR to 2030, reaching $10 billion. Traditional data cryptography methods are at risk of being deciphered by quantum computers. The point at when this happens is known as Q Day, and latest estimates suggest it could come as soon as 2030. Technologies such as post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) protect traffic from this risk as it travels across a network. 2026 will bring developments, trials and innovation in protecting data from quantum risk. Low Earth Orbit technologies – and quantum 2026 is set to be a breakthrough year for Low Earth Orbit satellites, with organisations launching new satellites and new services. These services are a vital part of global telecoms infrastructure, providing connectivity in underserved or rural areas, and providing resiliency to businesses looking for back-up options for their enterprise infrastructure. Colt is looking to trial low earth orbit satellite connectivity for quantum key distribution: this will enable secure and protected exchange of symmetric encryption keys using quantum technology, while overcoming the distance limitations of terrestrial connectivity. 2026 will see Colt and partners trialing space-based and subsea techniques which extend quantum security to global networks. Hybrid cloud computing models 2026 will see multi cloud models becoming the default, as enterprises look for more ways to build in flexibility and resilience to their infrastructure and move beyond single-provider strategies. Increasingly, APIs and secure interconnects between providers and hyperscalers are streamlined, complementary and competitive in pricing terms and accessible through aggregators. Edge computing will continue to grow through 2026 and beyond, driven by factors such as AI inference expansion, the rise in real-time analytics, and increasing data sovereignty requirements. Next-generation cloud providers Next-generation cloud providers are prioritising deployment of infrastructure at the edge, processing data closer to where it’s generated, while hyperscalers focus on scale and compute power in centralised locations. Both strategies are needed and complementary: Edge requires highly distributed, localised infrastructure which complements centralised cloud, used for heavy compute and storage.  As demand for Edge grows in 2026 and beyond – one forecast estimates a CAGR of 33.0% from 2025 to 2033 -  expect rising demand for distributed architectures across new geographies. Tighter regulatory frameworks In 2026, expect to see a slew of reporting obligations, regulations, strategies and guidelines impacting CIOs, particularly in AI and cybersecurity. Most of the obligations under the EU AI Act will apply from 2 August 2026, while implementation of certain requirements for high-risk AI systems may be postponed. Reporting obligations for the EU Cyber Resilience Act are expected from September 2026, with phased obligations continuing from September 2026 onward under the EU Data Act. Cyber Security and Resilience Bill Peolpe also see the ISO/IEC 42001:2023 global standard for AI governance, which will lead CIOs and CAIOs to integrate AI governance into enterprise architecture and procurement decisions, as well as operational impacts for the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. In the UK, all eyes will be on the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, while across Asia, Japan will see the impact of its AI Promotion Act and major initiatives following Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 (NAIS 2.0) are also expected to come into effect in 2026.

Colt Technology Services (Colt), the global digital infrastructure company, released data from its latest research entitled ‘Concern to Confidence: How Telecoms Businesses Can Embrace AI Without Leaving People Behind’, which explores telecoms employee sentiment around AI in the workplace.  The Colt report – built on in-depth interviews and a survey which questioned 1005 workers from a variety of roles in telecoms firms from Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK and the USA – highlights the importance of a ‘people-first’ AI strategy and outlines the risks presented if employees are left behind, with one person interviewed stating, “There is an assumption everyone is ready to adapt, but a lot of people are just overwhelmed and staying silent”. Another interviewee says, “Too often, decisions about AI are being made in rooms where there’s no one thinking about equity,” and another says, “If the data reflects historical bias, and the system learns from that, we are just codifying inequality”.  Highlights from the survey Less than one in four (23%) respondents feels very confident in their job security, and this lack of confidence is more prevalent among employees in junior and entry-level positions 55% of employees are concerned around AI replacing their roles and those most concerned are in positions more likely to be occupied by female survey respondents Despite this, most respondents (63%) believe AI will improve progress on gender targets, although care is needed to mitigate bias in AI systems and to consult a diverse set of employees from the outset Data reveals variances in the use of AI tools from country to country - among those whose company has integrated AI in day-to-day operations - with AI built into search and generative AI among the most commonly used Earliest stages of the AI journey Frank Miller, Chief AI and Platforms Officer, Colt Technology Services said, “As our study shows, AI offers employees incredible opportunities to expand their knowledge, streamline daily tasks and focus on what truly matters – and this in turn drives successful business outcomes. But businesses must set in place a people-first approach, built on responsible AI principles, or they risk reinforcing disparity and limiting opportunity for marginalised groups.” He continued, “By bringing employees in from the earliest stages of the AI journey, by maintaining open communication, providing accessible skills training and fostering a culture of continuous learning, the telecoms industry can build a diverse, talented and empowered workforce ready to face the future with confidence and excitement”. Key findings from the report Concerns continue around role displacement and AI reinforcing disparity 55% say they are concerned about AI displacing their role or part of their role in the future. Employees in marketing (60%), finance (60%), customer service (59%) and admin (58%) roles are more likely to be concerned about AI displacing their role – roles predominantly held by female survey respondents, with one person interviewed stating, “If you look at the areas that are being automated first, they tend to be roles often filled by women” and another backing this up with, “We need more diverse people feeding across the company into these models; right now it’s mostly the same demographic building the tools”.   The report also highlights a gap in awareness of steps organisations are taking to mitigate the risk AI poses to gender disparities – if they are taking these steps at all.  At the same time, respondents note the opportunity to improve progress on gender targets, if businesses can get it right Traditionally, the telecoms industry is not known for its gender parity, but while few respondents currently believe the level of gender diversity is excellent at board level (stated by 20%); senior management level (20%) and across the company (22%), almost two thirds (63%) of respondents say they believe AI will improve progress on any gender targets their company is working on - or plans to work towards. Businesses are providing a variety of tools to equip workers with AI skills To help prepare employees for the future, around one in four businesses (24%) is upskilling employees in their current roles, while just over one in five (21%) is upskilling employees for a different role altogether. Tools offered by businesses to help with upskilling include online courses (offered to 47%); reading materials (41%) and attending conferences (35%). One in three (33%) has access to in-person courses; over one in four (27%) can work towards a certification/formal achievement and one in five has a mentor programme in place. Findings reveal a positivity around the impact of AI Overall, there was a positivity around AI with telecoms employees hopeful it would bring benefits to their roles including faster data analysis and improved productivity. Options selected by country were: Speeding up time to complete tasks – the preferred option for telecom workers in India, selected by one in two; in the US, cited by 43% and Japan, selected by 44% Faster analysis of data, selected by 44% of respondents in Germany and 46% in Finland Reduced risk of errors, cited by one in three (33%) respondents in Italy and 29% in Spain Boosting productivity, the most popular option for the UK (41% of respondents) and in France (30%) Integrated AI in day-to-day operations AI built into search was mostly likely to be used on a daily basis, cited by 35% of respondents on average whose company has integrated AI in day-to-day operations, rising to 56% in India, 43% in the UK and 39% in the US. Almost one in four (24%) use generative AI every day, with the highest adoption in India (43% use it daily), 38% in the UK and 28% in the US. Frank continues, “A people-first approach to AI promotes equity and inclusion, making sure AI systems do not unintentionally reinforce bias and helps developers and organisations prioritise safety, fairness and accountability. It builds trust and transparency and, ultimately, it generates deeper employee engagement and a great customer experience”. Colt’s own foundational pillars ‘People and culture’ and ‘Responsible AI’ are two of Colt’s own foundational pillars on which its AI strategy is built. These frameworks include focusing on: AI Literacy: ensuring people building/deploying/using AI systems have sufficient levels of knowledge, training and support for operational activities. Culture and Community: promoting an open-minded, growth mindset culture with a critical approach while using AI’s output, while building inclusive spaces for all to engage on AI's opportunities and risks. Social Sustainability: managing risks to individuals and societal groups from AI’s deployment. Prioritising principles of fairness, transparency and accountability. Environmental Sustainability: Understanding the true lifecycle impacts of AI and prioritising efficient design choices across hardware and software. AI for Good: advancing and prioritising AI use cases which provide positive net benefits for people and the planet.

Colt Technology Services, the digital infrastructure company, published insights from its latest IT Priorities Research questioning 1236 IT pioneers in 13 countries across the US, Europe and Asia. The research found that among businesses currently investing in AI, one in five is spending US$750,000 or more annually on AI, while almost half of the survey respondents are currently investing US$250,000 every year. Markets in the AI survey UK (68%) is the most likely of all markets in the survey to say they are currently investing in AI Businesses in Singapore (27%), the UK (18%) and the US (14%) are investing over US$1m annually while more than one in four (27%) businesses in Hong Kong is investing $750,000 - $999,999. Businesses in Japan (90%), the US (84%), Germany (69%) and the UK (68%) are the most likely of all markets in the survey to say they are currently investing in AI.   How they’re prioritising their AI spend When asked how they’re prioritising their AI spend, across all countries currently investing: 34% prioritise AI-driven innovation and product development 33% spend on Generative AI for content development 32% invest in cybersecurity and threat detection 31% investing in AI to enhance customer experiences 31% invest in AI to drive process optimisation and efficiency improvements AI investment towards automation Organisations not currently investing in AI but planning to in the near future Looking ahead, the research found future investors – those organisations not currently investing in AI but planning to in the near future - are shifting their AI investment towards automation (37%), while staying consistent with current investors’ priorities of cybersecurity (35%) and enhancing customer experience (33%). Buddy Bayer, chief operating officer, Colt Technology Services, said, “This research is an unmissable chance to look behind the scenes, to find out how businesses are investing in and applying AI in day-to-day life. It shows just how many IT priorities they’re balancing. Despite the market differences, we’re all part of a connected global economy, and secure, software-driven digital infrastructure is crucial to keep it moving.” The research revealed that:    While adding AI/machine learning capabilities is most likely to be named as a priority (cited by 31% overall), the rating was particularly high for Italian businesses in the survey (40%) and those in Singapore (37%) ‘Security and resilience’ follows closely behind, cited by 29% on average, with 37% for Singapore and 32% for both France and Germany Country highlights The UK and US are most likely to focus on network flexibility, with 32% and 30% respectively naming it in their top priorities. These regions are also most likely to cite ‘using my network to explore new revenue streams’ as a priority (34% UK, 30% US) Japan (35%) and Germany (30%) are most likely to prioritise ‘reducing the environmental impact of my infrastructure’, with 28% in Japan and 26% in the Netherlands focused on understanding its environmental impact Italy (34%) and Spain (28%) are most likely to prioritise rolling out new collaboration and communications Almost one in four respondents (24%) in Sweden/Denmark and the UK cite moving to the cloud as a priority Hong Kong, the UK (both 27%) and Japan (24%) are more likely than other regions to focus on ‘integrating other countries into my network’   Belgium (32%) and the Netherlands (31%) are most likely to prioritise IT solutions for remote workforces. More than one in five companies in France (21%) and around the same in Germany (20%) prioritise understanding the impact of quantum on their networks One in four companies in Japan (25%), 20% in France and 19% in Hong Kong are focusing their IT priorities to support Mergers and Acquisitions over the next 12 months Edge is a priority for Hong Kong (29%) and Japan (22%) Buddy stated, “At Colt, we use the insights from this research to get closer to our customers, to understand and anticipate their challenges so we can build the best solutions and keep on delivering the exceptional customer experience we’re known for, now and in the future”.  Methodology Intuit Research for Colt Technology Services surveyed 1,236 IT decision makers and those responsible for digital infrastructure services, in businesses across 13 regions (the US, UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong).