Goldman Sachs CIO Forecasts Key Artificial Intelligence Trends for 2026
‘The Big Money Show’ weighs in on the impact of the boost in A.I. productivity on the labor market as well as its application for job use.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is entering a transformative phase in 2026, poised to reshape business operations, global competition, and the workforce itself, according to Marco Argenti, Chief Information Officer at Goldman Sachs.
In a recent interview with FOX Business, Argenti shared his insights on the future of AI, highlighting 2025 as a pivotal year in AI’s evolution. “We used to view models as simple chat interfaces for questions and answers,” he explained. “Now, they are evolving into entities or agents capable of performing tasks on our behalf.”
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Marco Argenti, chief information officer at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ( Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Argenti outlined several key predictions for the upcoming year:
AI Context Will Greatly Expand
One of the most significant advancements in 2026 will be AI models that can handle a much larger context—essentially the background information that a system can remember and reason over. “There will be increased research and optimization to enable models to reason and ingest larger contexts,” he stated.
These models will soon be able to reason across extensive libraries of documents and long-running conversations, encompassing everything users have read and written.
AI Models Will Become the New Operating Systems
Argenti envisions AI models functioning similarly to a computer’s operating system, capable of browsing the internet, accessing files, and executing multistep tasks. “We are moving towards a model where AI will serve as the new operating system,” he explained. Users will simply set a goal, akin to entering a destination in a navigation app, and the AI will determine the best route to achieve it.
“Instead of saying, ‘Turn right,’ or ‘Turn left,’ you’ll say, ‘I want to go to Boston,’ and the agent will figure out the best paths,” Argenti elaborated.
AI models will soon function like a computer’s operating system and will be able to browse the internet, access files and execute multistep tasks, Argenti predicts. (iStock)
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Adaptability Will Become a Top Workplace Skill
According to Argenti, the workers who will excel in this new landscape are those who embrace adaptability. Companies will increasingly prioritize employees who demonstrate the curiosity to rethink their expertise. “If you’re an expert but cling to old habits, you’ll be less effective than someone who is willing to question their daily routines,” he noted. “It’s a new world, akin to transitioning from no computers to computers; you must learn to do things differently.”
Major Industry Partnerships Will Emerge
Argenti anticipates the formation of large-scale strategic partnerships within the AI sector. “AI will become a game of scale, leading to significant partnerships that will reshape the industry,” he stated, predicting a “winner-takes-most” dynamic.
The AI Race Will Intensify Between the U.S. and China
Argenti predicts 2026 will intensify the global AI race. (Aly Song/Reuters)
Argenti foresees that 2026 will heighten the global AI competition, particularly between the U.S. and China. “This will be a tale of two nations in the geopolitical context,” he remarked, noting that both countries have the potential to emerge as leaders in AI with comparable capabilities. While the U.S. currently leads in key benchmarks, he acknowledged that “the gap is narrowing.”
Companies Will Face “Token Sticker Shock”
As AI models become more capable, companies may experience “token sticker shock,” a term Argenti uses to describe the overwhelming amount of tokens—units of data processed by AI models—that can accumulate. “As these AI pilots transition to full-scale production, enterprises will confront the reality of potential token sticker shock,” he warned. This will compel businesses to focus on high-value use cases and more efficient models, making token optimization a central aspect of their AI strategy in 2026.
Argenti also predicts the growth of “agent as a service,” in which companies can essentially rent work performed by AI agents. (iStock)
“Agent as a Service” Will Take Off
Argenti anticipates a rise in “agent as a service,” where companies can rent AI agents to perform various tasks. He envisions businesses utilizing fleets of AI agents specializing in areas like coding, finance, customer service, and design to complement their human workforce. “This model shifts from renting software to renting work in the form of an agent,” he explained.
Energy Will “More and More” Become AI’s Biggest Roadblock
Argenti asserts that energy, rather than financial resources, will become the primary constraint on AI growth. “The demand for power will increasingly determine scalability,” he noted, highlighting the long timelines required for building and upgrading energy infrastructure.
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As AI consumption and token production escalate, the need for energy will intensify, presenting challenges in 2026.
‘The Big Money Show’ weighs in on the impact of the boost in A.I. productivity on the labor market as well as its application for job use.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is entering a transformative phase in 2026, poised to reshape business operations, global competition, and the workforce itself, according to Marco Argenti, Chief Information Officer at Goldman Sachs.
In a recent interview with FOX Business, Argenti shared his insights on the future of AI, highlighting 2025 as a pivotal year in AI’s evolution. “We used to view models as simple chat interfaces for questions and answers,” he explained. “Now, they are evolving into entities or agents capable of performing tasks on our behalf.”
DISNEY CEO DEFENDS MASSIVE AI DEAL, SAYS CREATORS WON’T BE THREATENED
Marco Argenti, chief information officer at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. ( Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Argenti outlined several key predictions for the upcoming year:
AI Context Will Greatly Expand
One of the most significant advancements in 2026 will be AI models that can handle a much larger context—essentially the background information that a system can remember and reason over. “There will be increased research and optimization to enable models to reason and ingest larger contexts,” he stated.
These models will soon be able to reason across extensive libraries of documents and long-running conversations, encompassing everything users have read and written.
AI Models Will Become the New Operating Systems
Argenti envisions AI models functioning similarly to a computer’s operating system, capable of browsing the internet, accessing files, and executing multistep tasks. “We are moving towards a model where AI will serve as the new operating system,” he explained. Users will simply set a goal, akin to entering a destination in a navigation app, and the AI will determine the best route to achieve it.
“Instead of saying, ‘Turn right,’ or ‘Turn left,’ you’ll say, ‘I want to go to Boston,’ and the agent will figure out the best paths,” Argenti elaborated.
AI models will soon function like a computer’s operating system and will be able to browse the internet, access files and execute multistep tasks, Argenti predicts. (iStock)
AUTOMAKER GEARS UP FOR SELF-DRIVING FUTURE WITH NEW CHIP
Adaptability Will Become a Top Workplace Skill
According to Argenti, the workers who will excel in this new landscape are those who embrace adaptability. Companies will increasingly prioritize employees who demonstrate the curiosity to rethink their expertise. “If you’re an expert but cling to old habits, you’ll be less effective than someone who is willing to question their daily routines,” he noted. “It’s a new world, akin to transitioning from no computers to computers; you must learn to do things differently.”
Major Industry Partnerships Will Emerge
Argenti anticipates the formation of large-scale strategic partnerships within the AI sector. “AI will become a game of scale, leading to significant partnerships that will reshape the industry,” he stated, predicting a “winner-takes-most” dynamic.
The AI Race Will Intensify Between the U.S. and China
Argenti predicts 2026 will intensify the global AI race. (Aly Song/Reuters)
Argenti foresees that 2026 will heighten the global AI competition, particularly between the U.S. and China. “This will be a tale of two nations in the geopolitical context,” he remarked, noting that both countries have the potential to emerge as leaders in AI with comparable capabilities. While the U.S. currently leads in key benchmarks, he acknowledged that “the gap is narrowing.”
Companies Will Face “Token Sticker Shock”
As AI models become more capable, companies may experience “token sticker shock,” a term Argenti uses to describe the overwhelming amount of tokens—units of data processed by AI models—that can accumulate. “As these AI pilots transition to full-scale production, enterprises will confront the reality of potential token sticker shock,” he warned. This will compel businesses to focus on high-value use cases and more efficient models, making token optimization a central aspect of their AI strategy in 2026.
Argenti also predicts the growth of “agent as a service,” in which companies can essentially rent work performed by AI agents. (iStock)
“Agent as a Service” Will Take Off
Argenti anticipates a rise in “agent as a service,” where companies can rent AI agents to perform various tasks. He envisions businesses utilizing fleets of AI agents specializing in areas like coding, finance, customer service, and design to complement their human workforce. “This model shifts from renting software to renting work in the form of an agent,” he explained.
Energy Will “More and More” Become AI’s Biggest Roadblock
Argenti asserts that energy, rather than financial resources, will become the primary constraint on AI growth. “The demand for power will increasingly determine scalability,” he noted, highlighting the long timelines required for building and upgrading energy infrastructure.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
As AI consumption and token production escalate, the need for energy will intensify, presenting challenges in 2026.
