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CARAT 2026 Summary: Designing for People in the Age of AI

Core Content Overview

CARAT's 2026 report, Designing for the Now and Next, outlines a transformative shift in media, technology, and consumer behavior as the world moves toward a more integrated and human-centric digital landscape. The report emphasizes the concept of a "Human Renaissance in the Age of AI," highlighting how brands and platforms must adapt to a future where AI is both a tool and a challenge. Key themes include the rebundling of digital experiences, the rise of AI-generated content, and the growing demand for authenticity and human values.

Main Trends and Predictions

1. The Great Rebundling

• Fragmentation Fatigue: Consumers have grown tired of managing multiple apps, subscriptions, and digital identities. They crave simplicity and coherence in their digital experiences.
• Rebundling as a Correction: Platforms are reorganizing into integrated ecosystems that align with real human behavior. Examples include:
  • Disney consolidating streaming and content into tiered bundles.
  • Amazon merging Prime Video, retail, advertising, and payments into a single ecosystem.
• Consumer Behavior: People want fewer decisions, more convenience, and systems that anticipate their needs. This trend is also evident in the sports world, where fan-driven engagement is replacing traditional sponsorship models.

2. AI as the New Interface

• From Browsing to Asking: AI is transforming how users discover content by answering questions directly, rather than requiring them to navigate through feeds or apps.
• AI as the Front Door: AI agents like Microsoft Copilot and Amazon Assistant are becoming the primary interface, offering seamless, context-aware experiences.
• Flow Over Feeds: Consumers prefer experiences that adapt to their mood, need, and timing, rather than static feeds. AI is helping to streamline this process.

3. Commerce Convergence

• From Funnels to Flow: Digital commerce is moving toward a more fluid model where shopping, loyalty, and media are integrated into a single system.
• Examples:
  • Amazon Prime unifies content, shopping, and payments.
  • TikTok Shop turns discovery into commerce, with all steps (search, influence, purchase) occurring within the same interface.
• Loyalty as Identity: Loyalty programs are being embedded into broader user identities, as seen with Kroger's Precision Marketing and United's MileagePlus.

4. Human Values in the Age of AI

• AI Slop: The rise of low-quality AI-generated content ("AI slop") is changing how people consume media. This content is often repetitive and lacks authenticity.
• Zero-Click Searches: AI-generated summaries and featured snippets are leading to a significant increase in searches that end without a click, signaling a shift in user behavior.
• Verification Fatigue: Consumers are becoming overwhelmed by the volume of AI content and are increasingly turning to trusted, human-driven sources.

5. The Quest for Authenticity

• Consumer Demand: 75% of Americans prefer human-created news and entertainment, and 67% want human involvement in marketing and art.
• Generational Shift:
  • Gen Z is moving away from traditional search engines and toward platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit for authentic content.
  • Millennials are adopting a "triangulation" approach, verifying search results through social proof and community engagement.
• Trust and Quality: Brands are responding by emphasizing human involvement, such as using "Not AI" badges, and creating human-gated communities.

Key Insights

• Human-centric Design: The future of media and technology will be defined by systems that feel intuitive, coherent, and human. Brands must focus on creating experiences that are not only efficient but also meaningful and authentic.
• AI's Dual Role: AI is both a disruptor and a facilitator. It enables seamless, personalized experiences but also contributes to the spread of low-quality content and verification fatigue.
• Consumer Priorities: Simplicity, trust, and relevance are now the primary drivers of consumer engagement. Brands that can offer these will thrive.
• Ecosystems Matter: The success of platforms like Disney, Amazon, and TikTok demonstrates that integrated ecosystems are becoming the norm, not the exception.

Conclusion

In 2026, the digital world is evolving toward a more human-centric model. As AI continues to shape media and commerce, brands must balance automation with authenticity, design for coherence, and prioritize trust and human connection. The future belongs to those who can make technology feel personal, relevant, and meaningful.