January is often a month of resolutions, but for Hyperight, 2026 began with a sprint. From the Tech industry giants full of new plans to Data and AI practitioners that are already competing with them, we have combined the most interesting stories in this Newsletter.
This is the guide to the moves that set the pace for the rest of 2026.
The piece that stood out in January is an interview with Kevin T. Shin (Samsung Semiconductor), a keynote speaker at the Data Innovation Summit.
The article challenges the traditional view of information security as a blocker, exploring how the role must evolve from rigid gatekeeping to proactive partnership.
Kevin T. Shin – keynote speaker at Data Innovation Summit 2026
More to read:
- From Mastering Tools to Mastering Adaptability: How Tech Teams Can Stay Future-Ready
- 5 Arguments Why AI Maturity Models Are Misleading Most Enterprises
- Enterprise AI Is Not Failing, It Is Being Mismanaged
- 10 AI Adoption Steps for AI Success in 2026
Data and AI practitioners – Practitioners Spotlight
As we move beyond the era of AI experimentation and into the era of impact, some of the industry’s most impactful leaders are leading the conversation from what the technology can do to what it should do for the society. This moves from chasing the latest and greatest models in favour of a more intentional, human-centric approach to digital transformation. 
To understand how this evolution is playing out across sectors, we are sharing insights from four visionaries who are redefining success through better decision-making, ethical guardrails, and purposeful automation.
For a look at the rumours and trends shaping the Silicon Valley (and Nordic) watercoolers, don’t miss our latest Tech Gossip updates:
The most important Data and AI news from around the world:
Google Expands AI Ecosystem with Gemini 3.5 Flash, Co-Scientist, and AI Studio Updates
Apple Reaches Settlement Over Claims of Misleading AI Advertising
Bridging Ambition and Impact: The 2026 DAIR Awards Move to the Main Stage
Data Octagon – How to Watch
Stockholm to Host DIS Week 2026X1: Shaping the Future of Data and AI
Freepik Rebrands as Magnific to Expand AI Creative Infrastructure
In the latest AIAW podcast episodes we feature Karim Nouira, founder of sics.ai (Superintelligence Computing Systems). We explore the technical hurdles and visionary pathways, such as world models and latent space reasoning, required to achieve AGI by 2026 and its subsequent impact on global labour and industry
As we move forward with this year, we will continue to explore how data and AI are reshaping business, tech and society.
