In 2026, "fashion tech" will no longer be a separate corner of the industry. It is baked into the way people browse, decide, and buy-often without opening a traditional storefront at all. The fastest shift is happening inside conversational interfaces: AI-powered chat that behaves like stylists, personal shoppers, brand concierges, and sometimes even taste-making characters. Platforms such as JOI AI sit within this broader movement: chat is becoming a primary interface for identity play, self-presentation, and lifestyle choices, including style.
For a business that sells a lot of lumber, paint, and other building supplies, Home Depot is increasingly focused on tech. In addition to being the largest home improvement chain in the world, the orange-aproned retailer relies on a large and growing tech workforce to power its effort to put more digital tools in the hands of employees and its DIY and pro customers.