2026 in trends According to Carolina experts

By 2026, generative AI will shift from optional experimentation to a core expectation in business education. The schools that stand out will be the ones pairing broad access with strong safeguards and clear standards for responsible use. With BlueChipAI, we can discuss how UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School is integrating AI into teaching, improving efficiency for staff and faculty and setting clear norms for ethical, secure use of AI in coursework, research and day-to-day academic work. These efforts are transforming how UNC Kenan-Flagler is preparing students for the workplace of the future. UNC Kenan-Flagler is modeling how academia and industry can work together to shape informed, forward-thinking decisions about generative AI use.

— Paul Wolff, director of the Faculty Consulting Group at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

As someone who studies open innovation, crowds and the future of work, I’m unpacking where AI is genuinely improving productivity, where organizations are still struggling to translate experimentation into impact and what a more execution-focused next phase of AI could mean for firms, workers and markets.

— Arvind Malhotra, professor at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

It’s somewhat foolish to make predictions about AI, a technology that is as opaque as it is transformative. But if I had to bet, I’d say that 2026 will be the year the bubble bursts. I hope I’m wrong, but I fear I’m not.

— Scott Geier, teaching assistant professor at UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media

The clock on AI regulation is significantly and unconstitutionally slowing. Efforts in the European Union are facing friction in the rollout of the AI Act, and there is also significant resistance from the White House, where President Donald Trump has announced by executive order his intent to stop U.S. states from enacting and enforcing their own regulation. It’s also far from clear that regulating AI harms will address the growing power and influence of AI companies over the state and citizens. Whether we’re looking at automating more labor, collecting and analyzing more biometric data or training AI systems on others’ intellectual property, regulation is just one answer to the growing imbalances in power that AI generates and the growing chasm between the U.S. and its allies in terms of policy and regulation. 2026 will likely be a turning point in the discussion about the role law can and will play; there is no question that many of us are deeply concerned whether regulation alone can and will preserve democratic norms.

— Tori Ekstrand, professor at UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media

As people’s search patterns change, a key fact remains the same — our starting points, like our keywords or our prompts, drive the information that is returned to us. Since our language is heavily influenced by our ideological dialects, how we see the world shapes what is ultimately returned to us, reinforcing, rather than broadening, what we already think we know politically.

— Francesca Tripodi, associate professor at the UNC School of Information and Library Science

In 2026, AI will be less of a “tool” and more of the underlying infrastructure for testing, refining and scaling ideas. Universities that lead will use AI to accelerate research translation, support founders and teach students to use these systems responsibly, with clear guardrails around ethics, bias and data protection. At UNC-Chapel Hill, Innovate Carolina is coordinating a nearly 1,000-member AI Community where students, researchers, staff, entrepreneurs and employers learn and build together, creating a collaborative model that is becoming a blueprint for how regions grow their AI talent.

— Patrick Kastian, assistant director of the Data Intelligence Hub at Innovate Carolina

Opioid overdoses will continue to be something we grapple with in 2026, including why rates have been declining. The drug supply is poised to make marked shifts in 2026, and our lab has tested 20,000 drug samples to understand the complexity. Collectively, we’ll need to continue to provide resources that address people’s full health needs, including harm reduction options, treatment, food, shelter and more.

— Nabarun Dasgupta, senior scientist at the UNC Injury Prevention Research Center and innovation fellow at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

Access to naloxone has helped so many communities reduce opioid overdose death rates. However, access to this lifesaving drug is still suboptimal in many communities, including rural communities. There are opportunities to integrate technology, advocacy and public awareness campaigns with tools like naloxonenearme.org and naloxonesaves-nc.org to ensure people living in all North Carolina communities have access to naloxone and are aware of the resources available to them.

— Delesha Carpenter, professor at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

The demographic reshuffling is underway. We see record-low birth rates, an aging population and potential changes to immigration patterns following political influence. This change in demographics will have lots of implications for 2026 and beyond, especially in terms of labor markets, financial and caregiving support for older adults, rural population shifts and young adults’ futures.

— Karen Guzzo, professor at the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ sociology department and director of the Carolina Population Center

We are living at the intersection of unprecedented autism visibility and also unprecedented misinformation. For decades, autism has been unfairly pulled into vaccine debates and politicized activism, despite overwhelming scientific consensus — leaving lasting impacts on public trust, stigma and the lived experiences of autistic people and their families. Today, social media accelerates both awareness and distortion, amplifying fear-based narratives alongside genuine advocacy. At the same time, autistic people are increasingly shaping public life as students, workers, creators and leaders.

— Brian Boyd, professor at the UNC School of Education and director of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute

In 2026, youth mental health will command national attention as we’re seeing how profoundly technology use, including social media and AI, is shaping emotional development, brain development, sleep patterns and overall well-being. Parents, educators and clinicians are increasingly confronting a reality in which digital environments often outpace the safeguards meant to protect young people. As the pressure grows for stronger guardrails — both from tech companies and policymakers — youth well-being will remain one of the most closely watched public health issues of the year.

— Mitch Prinstein, professor at the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ psychology and neuroscience department and director of the Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development

Economic volatility may push more households to depend on public benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (aka SNAP), yet policies may create new barriers for families to access or maintain these benefits. Additionally, some populations may experience more distrust of governmental entities, creating new barriers to accessing benefits even when they’re eligible. 2026 is a year to watch for how public benefits are utilized and the trickle-down impacts of their use or not.

— Molly De Marco, research associate professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

Policies that shape our food environment — from agricultural subsidies to labeling standards and school meal regulations — are coming under sharper scrutiny. After a year of heightened bipartisan attention to the links between diet and chronic disease, 2026 will be a critical test of whether federal momentum translates into meaningful policy shifts. The decisions made this year could fundamentally reshape how healthier foods become accessible, affordable and normalized in households across the country.

— Lindsey Smith Taillie, professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

With extreme weather events accelerating in both frequency and intensity, every sector — from municipal planners and homeowners to insurers and capital markets — is confronting a new baseline of risk. The growing exposure to financial losses is catalyzing rapid innovation in climate analytics and resilience financing, positioning risk management as one of the most important fields for safeguarding economic stability in the years ahead.

— Greg Characklis, professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and director of the Institute for Risk Management and Insurance Innovation

Flooding is no longer a risk confined to traditional Federal Emergency Management Agency flood zones. As climate patterns shift, we’re seeing major flooding occur in places previously considered safe. In the years ahead, more people will be affected as extreme weather intensifies, making it essential that communities plan proactively and adapt to these emerging realities.

— Antonia Sebastian, assistant professor at the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ Earth, marine and environmental sciences department and adjunct assistant professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and UNC Environment, Ecology and Energy Program

Air quality will be a central media storyline in 2026 as climate-driven wildfires, industrial expansions, rapidly growing energy needs and urban congestion merge into a single, measurable threat to daily life, prompting urgent questions about environmental responsibility.

— Sarav Arunachalam, deputy director and research professor at the UNC Institute for the Environment and adjunct professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

There are major sporting events coming to the world stage in 2026, including the Winter Olympic in Italy and the FIFA Men’s World Cup across North America. From artificial snow to extreme heat, these two events bring up climate change concerns for athletes, fans, staff and the media. Yet sport can also serve as a platform for awareness of climate hazards, vulnerabilities and solutions. These mega events are also ecological indicators for collegiate and youth sport in our own communities.

— Jessica Murfree, assistant professor and Hyde Family Foundation Fellow at the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ exercise and sport science department

In my work on sustainable energy systems, I focus on how we can design a cleaner electric grid using materials, extending equipment lifetimes and reducing waste across the energy supply chain. This is key as universities, utilities and policymakers grapple with how to manage end-of-life for solar panels, batteries and other technologies. My research group is also examining the role of critical minerals, like lithium, cobalt and rare earth elements, in enabling long-term duration of battery storage and grid decarbonization. Identifying more sustainable extraction resources like these or considering alternative design solutions are becoming central to transitioning toward a cleaner grid system.

— Noah Kittner, associate professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and adjunct assistant professor at the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ city and regional planning department and the Environment, Ecology and Energy Program

I’m paying attention to what a slower-but-fragile 2% to 3% global growth world could mean for 2026, especially how high public and corporate debt, shifting risk appetite and uneven inflation and interest-rate paths may rewire capital allocation, hiring plans and day-to-day risk management.

— Christian Lundblad, senior associate dean and professor at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

The job market is more competitive and more dynamic, with AI reshaping opportunities for new graduates. Employers are looking for talent who can pair technological fluency with creativity, communication and sound judgment. At UNC-Chapel Hill, we help students develop these skills while gaining practical, real-world experience through internships, research and early career exploration. This combination of preparation and support ensures Tar Heels are well-equipped to thrive in our rapidly changing economy.

— James Barricelli, assistant vice chancellor for career development and executive director of the UNC Career Center

As dean of the Graduate School, I have a front-row view of how the profile of graduate students is changing, with more working adults and other nontraditional learners looking for high-quality online pathways. That makes 2026 an inflection point because universities will be judged less on simply offering online degrees and more on whether they build the academic, advising and career support that helps these students succeed at scale. At Carolina, we are strengthening those comprehensive student supports. Regarding where online graduate education is headed next, program design, faculty engagement and career alignment will likely define quality in the years ahead.

— Beth Mayer-Davis, dean of The Graduate School and professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health

As learners navigate an increasingly complex world, experiential education is not simply an enhancement to learning. It is an essential pathway through which people of all ages discover curiosity, build competence and grow in confidence. We spend less than 5% of our lives in classrooms, and most of what we come to understand about the world is shaped through free-choice, informal and hands-on experiences. These moments of exploration spark wonder, strengthen scientific reasoning and help individuals see themselves as capable contributors to a better society. This spirit of discovery and possibility will be vital in 2026 and in the years ahead.

— Todd Boyette, director of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Public universities are no longer just educating students; they are quietly becoming some of the most powerful economic development engines in their states. Through startup pipelines, industry partnerships and innovation hubs, institutions like UNC-Chapel Hill can show measurable impact in jobs, tax base, and investment — turning research and student ideas into real companies that stay and grow in the region.

— Sheryl Waddell, director of economic development and innovation hubs at Innovate Carolina

Affordable housing will be a major focus in 2026 as rising living costs, urban population growth, constrained supply, burdensome regulation and the impact of economic inequality intensify the housing crisis. The importance of affordable housing will push policymakers, developers and communities to prioritize innovative approaches, recognizing housing affordability as a core contributor to economic vitality in the U.S.

— Roberto Quercia, professor at the UNC College of Arts and Sciences’ city and regional planning department

In a moment when polarization feels sharper than ever, strengthening our communities starts with learning how to engage one another respectfully. Civil discourse isn’t about agreeing on every issue; it’s about creating space to listen, challenge constructively and work toward shared solutions. If we want healthier, more resilient communities, this skill is no longer optional.

— John Rose, professor of the practice at the UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership

Rural health care access will emerge as a defining issue in 2026. This year, we’ve seen policy changes that reduced Medicaid and Medicare funding to hospitals, as well as a potential increase in premiums for marketplace plans. These policies place strain on the financial health of these facilities; as a result, we will likely see shifts in healthcare facilities, whether that’s reducing services, changing to different types of healthcare facilities or potentially closing. Hospitals embedded within larger health systems may be better positioned to withstand these shifts, but independent hospitals may face larger challenges.

— Mark Holmes, professor at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and director of the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research

We can expect that in 2026 the Constitution and the American people will continue to be challenged by the Trump administration’s disdain for the law. Time and again, we saw in 2025 how the president and his allies in government have tried to damage the rule of law, higher education, national security, the economy and public health. Protecting the institutions of government and the civil rights of Americans and respect for the rule of law will continue to be major concerns for the nation. The robustness of the rule of law will depend on how strongly the American people are willing to fight for it.

— Michael Gerhardt, professor at the UNC School of Law

Immigration enforcement — raids, police stops and surveillance through traffic cameras and other means — will very likely continue to dominate the news. Key questions include the constitutional limits on the government’s power, the role of police in immigration enforcement and the impact of immigration stops on citizens and noncitizens alike.

— Eisha Jain, professor at the UNC School of Law

2026 will likely be a pivotal year for the hemp industry. Federal legislation redefining hemp takes effect in November that will criminalize many — perhaps most — popular hemp products. The hemp industry is sure to lobby Congress for a less restrictive definition over the next year to preserve the multibillion-dollar market. Without new legislation, however, a wide array of hemp business will be forced to either close or operate under threat of a federal criminal and civil penalties. Many states, including North Carolina, currently have a far more permissive definition of hemp than the new federal standards, and the conflict between state and federal law states will be closely watched by industry stakeholders, policymakers and consumers alike. North Carolina has also previously considered state-level regulation of hemp products without reaching a legislative consensus, and the General Assembly may return to that issue in 2026.

— Phil Dixon, director of Public Defense Education and teaching associate professor at the UNC School of Government