The IEEE has released new UK-specific data, showing that robotics, extended reality (XR), and digital twins are already moving beyond pilots and into day-to-day use across manufacturing and logistics.
The results, made available for the first time, give a clear view of how UK CIOs, CTOs, IT directors, and other technology leaders here are adopting these tools. Globally, The Impact of Technology in 2026 suggests we’re heading towards workplaces where robotics, XR, and digital twins play a much bigger role. Worldwide, 77% of technology leaders say humanoid robots will become familiar coworkers and expect AI to influence robotics (52%), XR (36%) and autonomous vehicles (35%) most strongly next year.
The new UK findings show this shift is already well underway:
- 76% say humanoid robots may feel novel at first but will quickly become everyday colleagues
- 40% of UK organisations plan to deploy humanoid robots across parts of their workforce next year
- UK respondents believe robotics (66%), autonomous vehicles (44%) and digital twins (20%) will see the biggest impact from AI in 2026
- 60% say XR and digital twins will be very important for designing, developing and testing prototypes and manufacturing processes
- 34% say robotics programming will be a top skill they look for when hiring for AI roles next year, with 38% saying the same for machine learning
Commenting on the results, Ayesha Iqbal, IEEE Senior Member and Engineering Trainer at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre: “The rise of digital twins, XR and robotics is quietly reshaping how work gets done. What once felt experimental is now part of the day-to-day, from simulating production lines to training new starters in realistic virtual environments. In manufacturing, that means moving from reacting to issues to staying one step ahead and using real-time data to make even smarter decisions. As these technologies mature, the skills landscape is changing fast. We’re seeing the rise of humanoid robots, not as novelties, as valuable co-workers handling repetitive or hazardous tasks and freeing up human teams to focus on decision-making, problem-solving and oversight. But for this to work, we need to rethink the way we hire.
“The ability to programme a robot or interpret live data from a digital twin is no longer niche – it has become vital. What’s more, the roles that typically relied on manual experience now involve fluency in systems, modelling and automation. This isn’t about replacing jobs but about reframing them. As the tools scale and become smarter, the workforce must become more agile – and the industries that thrive will be those that invest not just in technology, but in the mindset and skills to harness it.”
