The Ethernet Alliance releases its 2026 Ethernet Roadmap, defining its changing role in AI, automotive, and connectivity.
Dec. 24, 2025 –
The Ethernet Alliance has publicly released its 2026 Ethernet Roadmap, covering the technologies, trends, and innovations that will define next-generation high-performance, AI-driven networking. Initially announced at TEF 2025: Ethernet for AI, the roadmap highlights Ethernet’s evolving role in artificial intelligence (AI), automotive, and connectivity.
The global consortium reports that AI and machine learning (ML) are extending Ethernet speeds to 3.2T and beyond. With advances in higher speed interfaces, more interconnect options, and advancements in power efficiency, Ethernet is expected to meet the needs of AI/ML workloads.
The shift in the automotive industry to software-defined vehicles and zonal architectures to reduce vehicle weight and complexity is also driving the adoption of Ethernet for vehicle connectivity. “Single-Pair Ethernet (SPE) enables cost-effective, scalable in-vehicle networking, supporting ADAS, autonomous vehicles, and infotainment while accelerating the convergence of legacy IVN technologies,” according to the report.
To meet the industry’s increasing requirements for faster speed and scale, the roadmap illustrates how advances such as 1.6 terabits per second (Tbits/s) interfaces, linear pluggable optics (LPO), improved copper and fiber options, and energy-efficient designs will drive growth in a range of applications from AI and cloud services to automotive, manufacturing, and edge computing.