Our first issue of the year is always dedicated to new products. It’s our way of looking ahead to the possibilities and challenges the coming year will bring — and, because we define a new product as one introduced within the past year, it’s also a moment to reflect on how far the industry has come.
When I think about innovation over the past year, one development stands out above all others: generative AI. By 2025, it had moved beyond early adopters and into widespread, everyday use. From automating customer service and streamlining administrative tasks to supporting engineering, design, and data analysis, AI has rapidly become part of how organizations operate. I can’t recall another technology that has been adopted so quickly — or one with the potential to reshape the workforce as profoundly as AI.
According to a recent report from the Computer and Communications Industry Association, three out of five U.S. adults have used AI within just three years of its introduction. ChatGPT alone reached 100 million users only two months after its 2022 launch. For comparison, it took decades for technologies like telephones and televisions to reach similar levels of adoption. The takeaway is clear: Generative AI isn’t a passing trend. It’s here to stay.
And yet, as powerful as these tools are, adopting new technology can feel daunting — especially in the commercial aquatics space, where safety, compliance, reliability, and long-term performance are key. Change often requires investment, training, and trust, and it’s natural to approach unfamiliar tools with caution. But if the past year has taught us anything, it’s that thoughtful adoption of innovation is essential to staying effective, compliant, and competitive.
That same forward-looking mindset defines the commercial pool industry. Each year sees the introduction of new solutions that promise safer, more energy-efficient, more sustainable, and easier to operate and maintain pools. From advancements in water treatment and automation to improvements in accessibility, monitoring, and performance, these innovations are designed to meet the increasing demands placed on aquatic facility operators.
As you explore the newest products featured in this issue, consider them not simply as equipment updates, but as tools that can help shape the future of commercial aquatics — supporting better outcomes for operators, staff, and the communities they serve. If generative AI has taught us anything, it’s that those who engage with new technology early are often best positioned to lead.
Here’s to moving forward with confidence, embracing what’s new, and discovering the opportunities these innovations bring to the industry in 2026.
