Market intelligence firm Futuresource Consulting says the accelerating convergence of AV, IT and broadcast technologies will define the agenda at ISE this year, with AI and cybersecurity also moving firmly into focus. Insights shared ahead of the event, which takes place in Barcelona from February 3rd, point to networked systems, rising production expectations and software-driven workflows as key forces reshaping the global pro AV ecosystem.
Drawing on discussions from a recent Futuresource Spotlight session with industry leaders, Futuresource announced in a pre-show bulletin: “ISE has evolved from a collection of specialist AV exhibitions into a single, integrated platform representing a fully connected industry. As technologies become increasingly generalisable and software-driven, traditional boundaries between AV verticals continue to dissolve.”
A central driver of this transformation is the widespread adoption of IP networking, Futuresource believes. The majority of AV products now operate as network-connected devices rather than standalone systems, enabling greater flexibility, scalability and integration across applications.
However, the company highlights that this shift is also introducing new challenges. The briefing note added: “As AV systems move deeper into enterprise IT environments, questions around ownership, accountability, performance management and support are becoming increasingly complex.”
Futuresource analysis indicated that interoperability and ecosystem collaboration are now critical as end users deploy multi-vendor, networked solutions across multiple locations and use cases. The session also highlighted the continued migration of broadcast-grade technologies into enterprise, financial services, education and corporate communications environments. Organisations are investing in higher-quality audio, video and production workflows as communications become more brand-critical.
The analysis continued: “Rising expectations shaped by social media, streaming platforms and digital content consumption are influencing how organisations present themselves. As a result, production values once reserved for broadcast and live entertainment are now expected in boardrooms, town halls and investor communications.
“While this trend is expanding addressable markets for suppliers, it is also increasing complexity as vendors adapt to the differing needs of multiple verticals.”
Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity emerged as closely connected themes throughout the recent session and will be among the dominant trends at ISE 2026. The analysis continued: “AI is already embedded across collaboration platforms, content workflows and system management tools, supporting automation and analytics. At the same time, it raises questions around data integrity and governance as AV systems process increasing volumes of sensitive information.”
Cybersecurity is also becoming a critical consideration as AV devices operate on shared enterprise networks. Futuresource points to a growing tension between IT security priorities and AV performance requirements, particularly where latency and real-time delivery are essential.
Futuresource expects networked AV adoption to continue accelerating, with AI expanding beyond individual features into system-level intelligence and workflow optimisation. Broadcast-grade technologies are set to see wider deployment across enterprise environments, while cybersecurity considerations increasingly influence product design and purchasing decisions.
The Spotlight session featured insights from Dan Goldstein, chief product officer at AVIXA, as part of Futuresource Consulting’s ongoing thought-leadership programme supporting the pro AV market.
This session is free to download here.
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