In 2026, artificial intelligence enters a new stage of development, as the focus of technology shifts from generative models to systems capable of directly performing work. This trend reflects fundamental changes in how AI is designed, deployed and used in digital life.
In the previous period, large language models mainly created text, images or answered questions. By 2026, that role will gradually give way to AI agents, often called virtual assistants, capable of interpreting user intentions and completing actual tasks. These systems not only respond but also proactively create applications, connect tools and complete seamless action chains based on personalized data.
The shift from a large language model to a large action model is seen as the center of change.
The big action model uses language understanding to turn instructions into actions, from checking personal calendars, choosing appropriate options to processing transactions.
Step-by-step reasoning capabilities, which have been enhanced in recent models, help AI solve complex problems instead of just providing instant feedback.
Along with that, personal data becomes a key factor. When public data sources are gradually exploited thoroughly, competitive advantages shift to the ability to deeply understand each user's behavior and context. Email, messages, work schedules and location information become the foundation for AI assistants to operate effectively.
This change puts security and privacy at the center, especially when AI is allowed to access internal systems and sensitive documents.
In that context, the strategy of combining hardware and services emerges clearly. Some Korean businesses promote the model of personalized AI assistants closely linked to devices. The approach of processing data directly on devices, limiting cloud dependence, is considered a solution to reduce information leakage risks. The integration of a security platform with AI to handle sensitive tasks helps smartphones become a fulcrum for safe AI assistants.
2026 is seen by many experts as the time when AI moves from technical models to the role of digital "employees". The competition no longer revolves around which model is smarter, but focuses on the level of security and the ability to reduce the actual workload for humans.
