Status Report on the Societal Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology - 2026

The Status Report provides an overview of current knowledge and key findings from an in-depth analysis of the social, ethical, and political impacts of artificial intelligence. It is organized around Obvia's seven research areas: health, education, work and employment, ethics and governance, law, arts and media, and the socio-ecological transition.

Now in its third consecutive year, this publication helps contextualize ongoing scientific research while highlighting current advances and knowledge gaps. It also helps guide future research on the societal impacts of artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
 

This new edition is published in a context of accelerating power asymmetries, marked by an increasing concentration of control and influence. This trend is driven by the continued expansion and intensification of generative AI integration, now unfolding alongside the rapid development of agentic and multi-agent AI systems.

The report highlights the growing autonomy of these systems, which amplifies existing challenges, gives rise to new ones, and calls into question some of the regulatory and governance approaches developed for more "traditional" generative AI systems.

Whether you are part of civil society, a public or private institution, academia, or the research community, this annual publication offers an opportunity to take stock of the current state of knowledge on the challenges and impacts of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, while also providing practical recommendations.