Jan Murdoch reflects on the emerging technologies that Defra is paying most attention to right now and the impacts these could have on policy outcomes.
Every year when we pull together our Emerging Technology Radar, I am reminded just how quickly our digital landscape is shifting. For those of us working across Defra group, the pressure to modernise services, respond to environmental challenges and make better use of our data never really slows down.
The 2026 edition of the radar arrives at a moment when the pace of change feels faster than ever, and I wanted to share some personal reflections on what stood out this year.
The Radar has always aimed to make sense of the noise and highlight the technologies that genuinely matter for us. This year we introduced twenty-eight new technologies, and we took a very honest look at what is ready to use now, what is on the horizon, and what still needs time to mature.
Some things have moved categories, either because the technology is becoming more mainstream or because we are taking a more grounded view of what will really deliver value and achieve business ambitions. The result is a clearer and more focused picture of what will shape Defra over the next few years.
What feels different this year
The biggest shift for me while working on this edition is just how quickly artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday work. It is no longer a future concept. It is happening all around us, sometimes quietly, and sometimes in dramatic ways.
We also saw major progress in quantum technologies, new kinds of environmental sensing, and a growing emphasis on sustainable digital practice. All of this makes the Radar feel more practical and more urgent than any previous edition.
The Radar is built around four themes that reflect where Defra group priorities are heading and where we know there are real challenges to solve.
1) Digital transformation and data-driven services
Many of us work every day with legacy systems and siloed data, and we know exactly how much friction that creates. Modernising services is not just about technology; it is about creating the space for people to work more effectively and for citizens and industry to get the joined-up experience they expect.
Technologies like artificial intelligence agents, digital twins, geospatial intelligence and privacy preserving data tools, all offer ways to reduce manual effort, speed up decisions and share insight more safely. If we want to move towards ‘once only’ data reuse and more consistent cross organisation services, these are the tools that will help us get there.
2) Environmental intelligence and resilience
This theme always feels close to the heart of Defra. Climate change, biodiversity loss and increasingly frequent extreme weather events make it essential that we shift from reacting to events to anticipating them.
During this year’s review, it became clear how much potential there is in technologies like quantum sensors, edge intelligence, drones, autonomous vehicles and real time monitoring. These could transform how we track river quality, detect pollution, understand soil health and respond to incidents. The idea of having early warnings rather than late realisations feels like a huge step forward for resilience.
3) Sustainable digital operations and leadership
Defra is in a unique position in government because we are not only trying to make our own digital estate more sustainable, but we are also setting the tone for others. This means we need to lead by example.
The Radar highlights several areas that can make a meaningful difference, such as energy efficient compute, green software practice, circular IT asset management (which has already made a huge impact to Defra devices) and choosing lower carbon cloud options. These may not always feel as exciting as the cutting-edge technologies, but they matter deeply for cost, carbon and credibility.
4) Cybersecurity and operational resilience
With more connected systems, more data sharing and more digital services comes more risk. This year we spent a lot of time looking at the emerging threats, including cyber threats and the impact quantum computers will eventually have on encryption.
Technologies like secure multiparty computation, homomorphic encryption, post quantum cryptography and artificial intelligence-supported cyber defence stood out as essential investments for the years ahead. Keeping services secure is not just a technical task, it is fundamental to maintaining trust.
A few personal favourites
Every year I end up with a small list of technologies that really capture my imagination. In 2026, that list includes:
- Artificial intelligence enabled agents, because they have the potential to take away so much repetitive manual work and free people up for more meaningful tasks.
- Autonomous vehicles, we are already seeing the growth of autonomous vehicles and that is set to continue, I believe these offer the ability to enhance Defra groups role in environmental monitoring .
- Quantum sensors, which could transform early detection of environmental change.
- Digital coaching applications, which I think could genuinely help people feel more confident and better equipped for the changes ahead, equipping individuals to look after their own future.
Looking ahead
The Emerging Technology Radar has one purpose, to help all of us across Defra group understand what is coming and make more informed decisions. It is not a prediction of the future, and it is not a technical report for specialists. It is a tool for teams and leaders who are trying to build better services, stronger resilience and a more sustainable, connected future.
Hopefully reading about these technologies will spark ideas and encourage you to dig into something in more detail. This work is only useful when it leads to real change, and that starts with conversations.
More information
Jan Murdoch is the Lead Horizon Scanner in Defra’s Technology Innovation Team.
Check out the 2026 edition of the Defra Emerging Technology Radar
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