As we approach 2026, the UC and collaboration space stands at a pivotal crossroads. UC Today’s 12 Trends of Christmas brings together insights from twelve industry experts who share their predictions for what lies ahead for the industry.
The consensus is naturally clear that AI will continue its transformative march through UC, but not in the ways many might expect. Our expert panel explores how AI agents will mature beyond simple automation, becoming integral to operational IT and business workflows. Yet, this evolution comes with crucial considerations regarding governance, explainability, and the human element, which remains essential to successful adoption.
Cybersecurity emerges as a critical theme, with several speakers highlighting the growing sophistication of threats and the need for robust AI security frameworks. The conversation extends to verticalization, examining how UC solutions are becoming increasingly tailored to specific industries rather than offering one-size-fits-all approaches.
Perhaps most intriguingly, our experts discuss the shifting attitudes of workers toward AI technology and how UC platforms are evolving from standalone tools into integrated, workflow-driven ecosystems that fundamentally reshape collaboration and contact center operations.
We extend our sincere thanks to all twelve speakers who generously shared their expertise and insights for this year’s predictions:
Craig Durr of The Collab Collective
Cybersecurity expert Alexandra Forsyth
Dom Black of Cavell
Tom Arbuthnot of Empowering.Cloud
Jon Arnold of J. Arnold and Associates
Melody Brue of Moor Insights & Strategy
Irwin Lazar of Metrigy
Satish Upadhyaya of North IT Consulting Services
Blair Pleasant of COMMFusion
Kevin Kieller of Enable UC/BC Strategies
Zeus Kerravala of ZK Research
Watch the full video to discover all twelve trends and gain deeper insights into what these industry leaders foresee for Unified Communications in the coming year.
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