If the AV industry has learned anything over the past five years, it’s that the pace of change is accelerating—and 2026 is shaping up to be a transformational year. Between advancements in AI, the rise of smart environments, new demands for cybersecurity, and the explosive growth of content-driven experiences, the audiovisual ecosystem is expanding into directions that reach far beyond traditional displays and projectors.
No event reflects that evolution more than Integrated Systems Europe (ISE)—one of the world’s largest AV and technology show. The 2025 event hosted over 1,600 exhibitors and nearly 86,000 attendees from 168 countries, making it a truly global stage for innovation.
With ISE 2026 quickly approaching, here are the emerging AV trends that will define the year ahead—and what attendees should look out for in Barcelona.
- AI Will Move From Hype to Operational Infrastructure
Artificial intelligence has dominated the AV conversation for years—but 2026 will be the year AI becomes built-in, not bolted on.
According to ISE Managing Director Mike Blackman, AI is no longer just automating tasks; it is enhancing creativity, powering hardware and software, and reshaping workflows across the industry.
Examples include:
- AI-driven audio optimization for conferencing spaces
- Intelligent lighting systems that simulate environments
- Rapid content production and visualization for customer demos and proposals
Blackman notes that people won’t lose their jobs to AI—but to people who understand how to use it.
What to expect at ISE 2026:
- More AI-infused endpoints and platforms
- Tools that support creativity, not just efficiency
- Keynotes focused on strategic adoption—not just technical specs
Cybersecurity Becomes a Non-Negotiable Requirement
As AV increasingly functions as IT, it inherits IT’s biggest risk: cyber threats.
Every networked display, microphone, or collaboration platform becomes a potential attack surface. Blackman highlights that customers are demanding answers around risk, protection, and resilience—and integrators must arrive prepared.
ISE is responding by launching a dedicated cybersecurity conference for 2026, addressing everything from compliance to secure system design.
What to expect from cybersecurity in 2026:
- Standards built around “secure-by-design” hardware
- Cloud-driven AV security frameworks
- Certifications and training for integrators
- AV professionals who embrace cybersecurity will own enterprise conversations in 2026.
The Explosion of Connected, Smart Environments
Smart buildings, campuses, and even smart cities are pushing AV into infrastructure-level applications.
Sensors, wearables, data analytics, and automation are no longer niche verticals—they’re strategic drivers of sustainability, safety, and occupant experience.
ISE sees sustainability as a three-part priority: product design, event operations, and social impact.
This includes initiatives like:
- Encouraging recyclable booth materials
- Reusing carpets instead of discarding
- Donating furniture and equipment to local organizations post-show
- These efforts show that sustainability is shifting from marketing message to material requirement.
What to expect:
- Energy-optimized AV devices
- Real-time environmental analytics
- Sustainability metrics baked into systems proposals
2026 won’t just ask: what can this tech do?
It will ask: what impact does it have?
- Education Technology Goes Next-Level: The Rise of the Connected Classroom
Higher education is undergoing a generational shift, driven by students who grew up on touchscreens, streaming content, and on-demand engagement.
Blackman notes that ISE 2026 will include the new EduTech Summit—focused entirely on educational technology, featuring 60 exhibitors and a full conference program.
Even more importantly, ISE has begun donating classroom technology to schools after the show, ensuring equitable access and extending sustainability.
What to expect:
- Immersive learning environments
- Hybrid-first classroom design
- Faculty training programs for digital teaching
Universities that don’t adapt risk becoming irrelevant to the next generation of learners.
Content Creation Becomes a Core Pillar of the AV Industry
AV is no longer just about displaying content—it’s about producing it.
To support this shift, ISE 2026 will launch Spark, a new program focused on content-driven industries including broadcast, corporate media, live events, and gaming.
The goal is to provide:
- A platform for creators
- A marketplace for tools and technologies
- A community for collaboration
Spark will include:
- On-floor showcases
- Case presentations
- A dedicated stage
According to Blackman, the creative industries represent over 10 million jobs and €400 billion in GDP—yet are under-served by existing events. 2026 will mark the year AV embraces its identity as a creative technology industry.
- The Globalization of AV—And the Breakdown of Industry Silos
ISE began as a European event—but is now unmistakably global.
With 65–70% European attendees and growing representation from the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East, ISE has become the intersection of cultures, disciplines, and markets.
This matters because cross-disciplinary collaboration is now a strategic advantage.
Architecture, engineering, AV, IT, live events, and experience design are converging—and ISE is where that convergence happens.
Expect to see:
- More interdisciplinary experiences
- More partnerships between industries
- More holistic solutions (not just products)
Conclusion: The AV Industry Isn’t Just Evolving—It’s Expanding
The most important trend for 2026 isn’t a product or vertical—it’s a mindset shift.
AV is becoming:
- More intelligent
- More secure
- More sustainable
- More global
- More creative
And the organizations that thrive in 2026 will be those that ask not just “what does this technology do?” but “what can we create with it?”
If you want a front-row seat to that future, ISE 2026 in Barcelona is where you’ll find it.
Want More AV Insights Heading Into 2026?
If you're planning to attend ISE—or exploring trends shaping the future of AV, UX, learning environments, and smart spaces—come visit us to learn more!
Listen to our Built Together podcast with Mike Blackman HERE to get the full scoop on ISE 2026.