Dell Technologies World 2026: why AI is finally moving from strategy to practice

AI is becoming the new foundation of IT

During the opening keynote, Michael Dell set the tone immediately. He believes we are only at the beginning of a technological revolution comparable to the rise of the internet and cloud computing, but faster and more impactful.

One key statement really stuck: intelligence is becoming infrastructure. According to Dell, AI is becoming as fundamental as electricity or the internet. It is not something organizations "add on," but an integral part of modern business operations.

Dell therefore no longer positions AI as a separate software layer, but as a complete infrastructure stack: from data centers and storage to edge computing, networking, and security. This isn't just about powerful models, but primarily about how organizations can deploy AI securely, scalably, and manageably within their existing environments.

For Fundaments, this was a familiar development. Many organizations are no longer struggling with the question of whether they should do something with AI, but rather how to implement it responsibly and practically within their existing IT landscape.

From generative AI to autonomous AI agents

A second theme that kept recurring was the rise of "Agentic AI." While generative AI primarily produces content, AI agents go a step further: they can reason, plan, and execute actions independently.

According to Dell, these autonomous AI systems will be the next major step in enterprise IT. Think of AI that independently monitors infrastructure, analyzes incidents, executes workflows, or automates operational tasks without human intervention.

It was striking that this was no longer presented as a distant future. Dell clearly showed that organizations are already preparing for this development. At the same time, it was emphasized that this form of AI places enormous demands on security, governance, and visibility within IT environments.

This brought back a topic that aligns perfectly with the Fundaments vision: maintaining control over data, infrastructure, and security within hybrid and private cloud environments.

AI requires control, security, and sovereignty

During almost every keynote and technical session, the same concepts kept coming up:

• hybrid AI

• sovereign AI  

• zero trust security  

• private AI  

• edge computing  

The common thread was clear: organizations want to run AI closer to their own data. They don't want to be fully dependent on public cloud platforms, but rather maintain control over compliance, security, and performance.

This applies not only to enterprise organizations, but certainly to governments and organizations with sensitive data. Dell is therefore focusing heavily on hybrid infrastructures that combine cloud, on-premises, and edge solutions.

For Fundaments, this confirms the trend we are seeing more and more in the Netherlands. Digital sovereignty and data control are becoming increasingly important. AI is only accelerating that discussion further.

“Build to Lead”: AI is becoming a business model

On day two, the focus shifted from vision to execution during Jeff Clarke's keynote. His message was urgent and clear: companies can no longer settle for isolated AI pilots or experiments.

According to Clarke, the market is shifting from “experimenting with AI” to “AI as a business model.”

Success here isn't just about technology, but primarily about speed. How quickly can you implement AI? How well are data, processes, and infrastructure integrated? And how scalable is your environment when AI workloads grow exponentially?

In this context, Dell presented its vision for so-called AI Factories: complete AI platforms where servers, storage, networking, and software come together to support AI workloads at enterprise scale.

Notably, there was a strong focus on collaboration with partners such as NVIDIA, Google, Cohere, and Palantir Technologies. The message behind this was clear: AI is no longer about individual tools, but about complete ecosystems.

It is not just technology that is changing, but culture as well

What made Dell Technologies World 2026 interesting was that the event wasn't exclusively about infrastructure. On day three, the focus shifted noticeably toward media, creators, and digital culture.

During a session with Gary Vaynerchuk and Sean Evans, it became clear how AI is also changing entire communication models.

The central message: media is shifting from traditional mass communication to continuous interaction between creators, communities, and algorithms. Authentic communication is increasingly winning out over perfectly produced corporate content.

AI is playing an increasingly large role in this. Not just for content creation, but also for workflows, editing, personalization, and automation. Thanks to AI, small teams can deliver ever-greater output.

But here, too, an important warning was sounded: in a world of synthetic media, deepfakes, and AI-generated content, trust is becoming an increasingly important differentiator.

What are the key takeaways for the Netherlands?

Dell Technologies World 2026 showed that AI is truly starting to mature. The market is shifting from experimentation to actual operationalization. This means organizations must now consider fundamental questions:

• Where does AI really add value?  

• How do you maintain control over data and compliance?  

• What infrastructure is needed to deploy AI at scale?  

• How do you ensure security and governance keep pace?  

• And perhaps most importantly: how do you remain relevant as an organization in a market that is changing faster than ever?  

For Fundaments, this week confirmed that the future isn't about "more technology," but about making smart choices in infrastructure, data, security, and adoption. AI is no longer a separate project; it is becoming an integral part of how companies will operate.

Or, as several speakers at Dell Technologies World summarized: organizations that continue to work the way they always have will struggle in the coming years.

The challenge, therefore, is not just to understand AI, but to learn how to work with it in a practical, secure, and future-proof way.

Ready for the next step in AI and hybrid cloud?

Developments at Dell Technologies World 2026 make one thing clear: AI will be a fundamental part of modern IT environments in the coming years. But successful AI adoption isn't just about tools or models. It requires future-proof infrastructure, data control, security, governance, and a clear strategy.

Curious about what AI, hybrid cloud, or sovereign infrastructure can mean for your organization? Or would you like to discuss how to prepare your IT environment for the next phase of digital innovation?

Contact us. We would be happy to help.