Monday Morning Impact – March 30
Gartner Announces Top Predictions for Data and Analytics in 2026
Gartner has released its top data and analytics (D&A) predictions for 2026, with AI expected to have an impact across all aspects of data and analytics, including leadership, governance, talent, market dynamics, the need for context, and the world beyond text-based models.
“The pace of change in data and artificial intelligence is so rapid that each year feels like stepping into a new chapter of a science-fiction novel,” said Rita Sallam, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. “In 2026, the boundaries between human, machine, and organizational intelligence will continue to blur. Businesses rely on data in unprecedented ways, with AI systems not just supporting us, but collaborating as partners. These predictions offer leaders a roadmap to prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”
By 2027, 75% of hiring processes will include certifications and testing for workplace AI proficiency during recruiting, according to Gartner. Leaders who fail to modernize their tech talent strategies risk leaving their organizations permanently behind competitors who have successfully unlocked human-AI collaboration.
“D&A leaders should encourage rigorous, data-driven measurement of skills to surface deficits that stand between their AI-ambition and IT workforce readiness,” said Sallam.
Through 2027, GenAI and AI agent use will create the first true challenge to mainstream productivity tools in 30 years, prompting a $58 billion market shakeup.
The research suggests that AI will continue to trigger new competition for productivity suites as value shifts to agentic AI experiences. D&A leaders must demand tools built for today, such as new user interfaces, plug-ins, document types, and formats.
By 2029, AI agents are projected to generate 10 times more data from physical environments than from all digital AI applications combined.
By 2030, 50% of organizations will use autonomous AI agents to interpret governance policies and technical standards into machine-verifiable data contracts, automating compliance and governance policy enforcement, Gartner predicts.
By 2030, 50% of AI agent deployment failures will be due to insufficient AI governance platform runtime enforcement for capabilities and multisystem interoperability. In the near-term, ungoverned decisions using LLMs will cause financial or reputational loss for enterprises.
“D&A leaders should experiment with data governance agents in low-risk pipelines to orchestrate and automate negotiation processes,” said Sallam. “They’ll need to validate that agents can correctly interpret context and protocols in a controlled environment before trying to scale further. Analytic workflows should also be redesigned to include a required evaluation stage.”
Gartner clients can learn more in the complimentary webinar: Top Trends in Data and Analytics, 2026.
Channel Impact®
The report demonstrates ample opportunities for channel partners eager to help their clients navigate these transitions.
CompTIA Analysis Shows Modest Job Growth
Technology employment experienced modest job growth in February, with employers in the tech sector and the broader U.S. economy adding workers, according to analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data performed by CompTIA, a suburban Chicago-based industry association.
Tech industry employment increased by an estimated 5,100 jobs in February, according to the research. Companies added an estimated 5,900 workers in IT and custom software services and systems design jobs, more than offsetting staffing reductions in other areas. More than 5.2 million people are employed by technology companies, a combination of technical and non-technical positions.
Tech occupation employment, which includes technology professionals working in all industry sectors, increased by 60,000 jobs. The unemployment rate for tech occupations increased slightly to 3.8%, but remains lower than the national unemployment rate.
Active employer job postings for technology occupations increased 9% in February, to 505,045. That total includes more than 230,000 new postings added during the month.
Several metropolitan markets saw double-digit percentage increases in tech job postings led by New York City, which saw a 33% increase from January to February. Employers in the New York metro area listed nearly 16,000 openings for tech occupations last month. San Antonio (+ 24%), San Diego (+ 22%), Austin (+ 18%), Huntsville (+ 18%) and San Jose (+ 14%) also recorded notable increases.
Employers are searching for a mix of technology skills and expertise. Positions in highest demand include software developers and engineers, systems engineers, tech support specialists, cybersecurity engineers and analysts and artificial intelligence engineers.
Employers advertised tech job postings at all career stages, with 17% of postings targeting workers with eight years or more experience; 29% specifying workers with four to seven years’ experience; and 20%, zero to three years.
The data also shows that employers are not requiring a four-year college degree for a significant percentage of tech positions in areas such as network support, tech support, web development, network and systems administration and database administration.
Channel Impact®
The results show modest job growth with encouraging signs of future hiring intent.
SecureW2 Unveils New Global Channel Program
SecureW2, a Seattle-based passwordless security vendor, has launched its new global channel program, designed to drive partner growth, open new revenue streams, and offer high rewards through a performance-based tiering framework aligned to partner engagement and deal involvement.
Program features and components include higher margins for partner-sourced opportunities, deal protection for active engagement, access to Market Development Funds (MDF) for demand generation, lead sharing, and preferred access for top-engaged partners, and reduced-rate internal production use. Comprehensive support and education is also included, as well as partner portal resources, improved demo access and sandbox environments, integrations, and deal registration automation.
The Nexus Partner Program includes Value-Added Resellers (VARs), Managed Service Providers (MSPs), agents, systems integrators, and channel-focused security and network specialists. The initiative is available globally in the North America, APAC and EMEA regions and supports customers across enterprise, education, government, and regulated and compliance-driven industries.
Channel Impact®
As the nature of cyberattacks continues to evolve rapidly, the company hopes to help its customers and partners defend against the threats.
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