Flash-Forward: Predictions and Trends Shaping Data Storage in 2026

Flash-Forward: Predictions and Trends Shaping Data Storage in 2026

By Christophe Vaissade
OEM Sales Director EMEA, Embedded and Cloud Market, Sandisk

From the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) applications to the accelerating development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs), 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for global data infrastructure.

Data centre growth shows no sign of slowing as governments streamline planning approvals, prioritise power grid connections and roll out financial incentives to support digital infrastructure. At the same time, organisations face mounting pressure to manage vast volumes of data moving across their networks, while extracting real-time insights to remain competitive.

At the heart of this transformation lies the need for storage technologies capable of delivering reliable, efficient and real-time access to data. In 2025, flash storage emerged as a preferred solution across multiple industries due to its scalability, performance and resilience. As the industry moves into 2026, adoption of flash storage is expected to accelerate across several key areas.

Managing the Explosion of Unstructured Data

As data volumes continue to rise, organisations are generating unprecedented amounts of unstructured data — information that does not fit neatly into predefined models or formats. This includes text, emails, video content, imagery, sensor outputs and system logs produced at speed and scale.

Industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, automotive and finance already generate massive volumes of unstructured data daily, a trend expected to intensify in the coming year. From medical imaging and clinical notes to machine logs, quality-control visuals and vehicle sensor streams, organisations must convert raw data into structured insights that support real-time analysis.

Flash storage is well positioned to meet these demands, offering high-speed processing, low latency and reliability at scale. Its ability to support edge processing and handle intensive workloads enables organisations to transform raw data into actionable intelligence, driving informed decision-making, predictive maintenance and improved operational efficiency.

Ongoing innovations in flash technology are also delivering faster read-and-write performance, supporting robust data repositories, next-generation AI model training and real-time analytics essential for seamless operations.

Powering the Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles

The market opportunity for software-defined and autonomous vehicles in 2026 is substantial. According to UK government projections, the sector could create up to 38,000 domestic jobs across manufacturing, software development, testing and optimisation, with the market potentially valued at £42 billion by 2035.

However, these vehicles bring unprecedented data challenges. A 2021 McKinsey & Company study estimates that each SDV could generate between one and two terabytes of raw data per day. Cameras, radar, LiDAR and AI systems continuously collect and process information to enhance safety, performance and user experience.

While real-time processing often takes centre stage, data storage plays an equally critical role. Resilient, vehicle-optimised flash storage is essential for managing these massive data volumes reliably and efficiently. Designed to withstand temperature fluctuations, vibration and mechanical shock, flash storage supports the demanding conditions of automotive environments.

Beyond durability, flash enables real-time sensor data processing, secure logging of critical information and the overall performance of software-defined and autonomous vehicle systems — making large-scale deployment viable.

Flash Innovation in the Data Centre

As AI adoption accelerates and data volumes surge, the expansion and modernisation of data centre infrastructure will be critical. In early 2025, the UK government announced plans for significant investment in this sector, aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure and enhancing global competitiveness.

Flash storage offers clear advantages for data centres, delivering high performance, low latency and scalability. Faster read-and-write operations improve system responsiveness, while lower power consumption and reduced heat output help cut cooling requirements and operating costs.

Its compact form factor allows for higher-density deployments, a crucial benefit as physical space becomes increasingly constrained. With no moving parts, flash storage also offers greater durability and reliability, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and supporting long-term system stability.

As investment ramps up and demand intensifies, flash is set to become a core storage solution within modern data centre environments.

Flash as the Backbone of the Data Economy

By 2026, data volumes will continue to surge, and AI-driven technologies will become deeply embedded across industries. While attention often focuses on emerging applications, the role of storage infrastructure remains fundamental.

To fully unlock the value of data, organisations and governments must prioritise storage solutions capable of supporting the demands of the modern data economy. Flash storage, with its performance, resilience and efficiency, is increasingly positioned as the backbone underpinning this transformation — across a growing range of use cases.

As data becomes the currency of innovation, flash storage will continue its rise as a technology of choice, enabling insight, agility and growth in an increasingly digital world.