Forrester’s latest APAC technology predictions deliver a clear message: AI, security, and digital trust will shape how all businesses operate in 2026 — including small organisations. The good news? You don’t need enterprise budgets to stay ahead. But you do need to understand the shifts happening around you and make smart, practical decisions.

Here’s what small businesses (under 100 employees) should keep on their radar.

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1. Practical Digital Payments Are Improving but Stablecoins may Struggle

Forrester expects most new stablecoins to fail, especially local, niche, or under-backed ones. For small businesses, this confirms what many already feel: cryptocurrencies remain risky and inconsistent.

What small businesses should focus on instead:

• Look to banks and payment providers offering tokenised or instant-payment services.
• Expect AI-driven automation to begin handling invoice capture, matching, and payment approvals — reducing admin time.
• Stay away from “experimental” digital currencies unless your industry genuinely requires them.

Bottom line: Stick to regulated banks and proven payment platforms, but prepare for smarter, AI-powered finance tools.

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2. Deepfake Fraud Is Now a Small Business Problem

Deepfake attacks are no longer just targeting big organisations. Criminals now use AI-generated voices, videos, and email impersonation to trick small teams with limited verification processes.

Forrester predicts that big tech will upgrade biometrics and identity checks to combat this.

What small businesses can do right now:

• Add verification steps for unusual requests (especially payment approvals).
• Use tools that support face/voice liveness detection, not just simple selfies.
• Train staff to spot “something feels off” moments.

Don’t rely on gut feeling alone — deepfake fraud is engineered to sound convincing.

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3. Cloud Choice Will Be Driven by Trust and Data Location

Small businesses are increasingly relying on cloud platforms for everything from email to HR to customer service. Forrester’s prediction: half of all organisations will choose their AI and cloud platforms based on sovereignty and trust, not just price.

With geopolitical tensions rising, APAC countries are demanding that data stays within local borders.

What this means for small businesses:

• Choose cloud vendors with Australian data centres and clear data residency commitments.
• Be careful about “bargain” overseas AI tools that store data offshore.
• Build a lightweight cloud diversification strategy — not everything needs to live on one platform.

Security and residency matter more than price-hunting in 2026.

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4. Quantum Security Will Become Urgent (Even for SMEs)

It might sound like sci-fi, but governments are already planning to retire current encryption standards by 2030 because future quantum computers will be able to break them.

Forrester expects 90%+ of organisations to begin planning for quantum-safe security soon.

Small businesses don’t need an urgent overhaul — but you should start choosing tools that are preparing for the transition.

Simple steps for SMEs:

• Choose vendors that mention “post-quantum encryption” or “quantum-safe algorithms” on their roadmap.
• Avoid locking into outdated security tools that won’t meet future requirements.
• Keep an eye on security updates from Microsoft, Google, Apple, AWS, and your security provider.

Think of it like future-proofing your locks before they become obsolete.

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5. Humanoid Robots Are Coming — But Not for Small Business (Yet)

Yes, humanoid robots are making headlines. China expects huge adoption in manufacturing by 2030. But the message from Forrester is clear: they are early-stage, expensive, and best suited for repetitive industrial tasks.

For small businesses, the actionable takeaway is:

Don’t chase robotics. Focus on automation.
AI tools, workflow automation, and agent-based assistants will deliver far more immediate ROI.

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6. AI Success Depends on Governance, Not Just Tools

Forrester warns that one-third of organisations will waste money on “performative” AI investments — renaming teams, running random pilots, or using AI without guardrails.

Small businesses often feel this more painfully because budgets are tighter.

How SMEs can avoid waste:

• Treat AI tools as products, not experiments.
• Assign  someone ownership of AI quality, usage rules, and review processes — even if it’s part-time.
• Use process intelligence (even simple workflow mapping) before automating anything.

This helps prevent “AI chaos” inside the business and ensures tools are actually supporting staff, not slowing them down.

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7. Watch Out for AI “Workslop”

Forrester’s term workslop describes AI output that looks professional but is factually wrong or unusably vague. And it’s becoming common.

In small businesses, this can directly lead to:

• Wrong client information
• Incorrect quotes
• Compliance issues
• Staff rework that kills productivity

What SMEs should do:

• Require human checking of all AI-generated work.
• Don’t use AI to generate anything legally binding without manual review.
• Train staff on “AI critical thinking.”

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AI is powerful — but it still lies.

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What Small Businesses Should Prioritise in 2026

✔ Strengthen identity and fraud protection

Deepfake attacks are cheap to run and highly convincing.

✔ Review cloud providers for trust, locality, and AI transparency

Data residency will matter more than ever.

✔ Automate processes carefully

Start with AP/AR, email triage, customer service, or admin workflows.

✔ Make someone responsible for AI quality

Even a part-time owner reduces business risk.

✔ Begin future-proofing your security stack

Choose tools that are already moving toward quantum-safe standards.

✔ Avoid shiny hype projects

Robots, niche stablecoins, and untested AI tools won’t deliver value for SMEs.

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