Brian Hopkins,

Brian Hopkins

VP, Emerging Technology & Principal Analyst

Brian’s research helps clients navigate technology innovation in AI and quantum computing. His work on AI value management provides insights into how companies can move from uncertainty to achieving real, measurable value over time. Brian’s research on AI computing offers a long-term perspective on how emerging AI capabilities (e.g., generative AI, agentic models, AI agents) will impact enterprises over the next 20 years. Brian is also pioneering Forrester’s research on artificial general intelligence (AGI) and its implications for AI safety as well as advising clients on the current state and future of quantum computing.

As VP of Emerging Technology, Brian leads Forrester’s flagship reports on emerging technologies, providing data-driven insights and frameworks to help enterprises prepare for the technology of tomorrow.

Research Coverage

Planned Research

What research can you expect from Forrester in the next 12 months? Updated biweekly, our publishing plan will keep you current with market and technology trends. Use the link below to download a list of our upcoming research.

Download Planned Research
July 28th, 2026 3:00 PM - 3:40 PM Webinar

Top Emerging Technologies For 2026: Autonomous Transportation Technologies

Accelerate innovation with deeper insights about why autonomous transportation technologies are important, when they will pay off, and how they are being deployed today. These technologies combine AI, robotics, sensing, and connectivity to enable vehicles and mobility systems to operate with minimal human input, especially in controlled environments. In this webinar, we share expert insights, real world examples, and key steps you and your team can take. Join us to learn where autonomous transportation is creating value now and what it will take to scale safely.Key takeaways: Gain an understanding of current autonomous transportation deployments.Identify environments where autonomy delivers efficiency and safety gains.Learn practical steps to pilot and expand autonomous mobility solutions.Target audience level: all levels
August 4th, 2026 3:00 PM - 3:40 PM Webinar

Top Emerging Technologies For 2026: Agentic Commerce

Accelerate innovation with deeper insights about why agentic commerce is important, when it will likely pay off, and how others are beginning to use it. Agentic commerce brings AI agents into shopping and procurement experiences, enabling autonomous product discovery, recommendations, and transactions across owned and non-owned environments.In this webinar, we share the latest expert insights, practical considerations, and key steps you and your team can take with this emerging approach to buying and selling. Join us to learn how agentic commerce is evolving and how firms can prepare to unlock value while navigating trust, data, and ecosystem challenges.Key takeaways: Gain an understanding of how AI agents are reshaping commerce and procurement workflows.Identify use cases where agentic commerce can reduce friction and accelerate conversions.Learn the foundational steps required to enable safe, scalable adoption.Target audience level: all levels
August 25th, 2026 3:00 PM - 3:40 PM Webinar

Top Emerging Technologies For 2026: Multi-agent Systems

Accelerate innovation with deeper insights about why multi agent systems matter, when they will deliver value, and how early adopters are using them today. Multi agent systems coordinate multiple AI agents to plan, delegate, and execute complex workflows over time, enabling higher order automation. In this webinar, we share expert insights, practical guidance, and key steps you and your team can take. Join us to learn how these systems are evolving and what it takes to deploy them responsibly. Key takeaways: Gain an understanding of how coordinated AI agents support complex workflows.Identify use cases where multi agent patterns outperform single agent designs.Learn the foundations needed for governance, orchestration, and control.Target audience level: all levels
September 15th, 2026 3:00 PM - 3:40 PM Webinar

Top Emerging Technologies For 2026: Layer Zero Experiences

Accelerate innovation with deeper insights about why layer zero experiences are important, when they will mature, and how organizations are beginning to experiment with them. Layer zero experiences use AI to coordinate interactions across apps, devices, and brands, translating intent directly into action without traditional interfaces. In this webinar, we share the latest expert insights, practical examples, and key steps you and your team can take. Join us to learn how this new engagement model could reshape customer experiences.Key takeaways: Gain an understanding of how layer zero experiences change digital engagement.Identify customer journeys best suited for AI orchestrated experiences.Learn early steps to prepare for cross brand and cross device orchestration.Target audience level: all levels
October 6th, 2026 3:00 PM - 3:40 PM Webinar

Top Emerging Technologies For 2026: Quantum Computing

Accelerate innovation with deeper insights about why quantum computing matters, when it will deliver value, and how early adopters are preparing today. Quantum computing uses quantum physics to address computationally complex problems in optimization, simulation, and security, though most benefits remain long term. In this webinar, we share expert insights, clear expectations, and key steps you and your team can take. Join us to learn how organizations can prepare without over investing.Key takeaways: Gain an understanding of where quantum computing shows early promise.Identify use cases likely to benefit first from quantum approaches.Learn steps for readiness, experimentation, and risk management.Target audience level: all levels