Episode Summary
In January 2025, I discussed why it was the rising era of “IoS” (Internet of Shit). Not only did it exceed my expectations, but it has set the path for 2026, which will be the year of reckoning, and it won’t be pretty.
I’ve been knee-deep in the world of AI for over two decades, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. From the early days when AI was a mysterious tech for most people to now, when it’s practically everywhere, the journey has been nothing short of fascinating.
But make no mistake, AI is a hugely powerful technology that goes far beyond mere chatbots. Yet, the tech world decided to ignore this reality and expert warnings about misinformation and mental health issues. I was one of these experts in 2014 while at Google Campus London.
So buckle up, because 2026 is going to be a year to watch. We’re talking about a reckoning where all those ignored warnings will come back to bite us all.
However, as an optimist, I believe 2026 could offer us a small window of opportunity to set things right and push for rapid change. But will it be too late?
Join the conversation now, and let me know what you think 2026 will bring.
This is a replay of our very first livestream on YouTube, available in the live section of our channel.
Key Takeaways
- 00:00:00 – Preview
- 00:01:41 – 2026 plans for the CEOR podcast and events, and our positioning against other podcasts
- 00:24:35 – Is 2025 a turning point that would force political change that would influence AI’s future?
- 00:30:06 – 2026 predictions: It has now gone far beyond AI!
- 00:42:46 – What the current VC focus on “gamification of everything” tells us about the tech sector’s direction in 2026
- 00:53:36 – Is China going to win the so-called “AI war” in 2026?
- 01:04:14 – Will the 2026 reckoning burst the AI bubble, and will Trump play a role in bailing out AI companies?
References and Citations
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Global investors turn to Chinese AI as Wall Street fears bubble – Reuters
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The AI Backlash Keeps Growing Stronger – WIRED
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iPhone 16 Leads Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2025 – Counterpoint Research
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Is Apple Running Away from AI? – CEOR
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‘Corruption, Pure and Simple’: Probe Identifies Rich Donors Benefiting From Trump Presidency – Common Dreams
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The top 20 billionaires influencing American politics – The Washington Post
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ChatGPT’s ‘Adult Mode’ Is Coming in 2026 – Gizmodo
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Why 95% Of AI Pilots Fail, And What Business Leaders Should Do Instead – Forbes
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88% of AI pilots fail to reach production — but that’s not all on IT – CIO
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AI hallucinations are getting worse – and they’re here to stay – New Scientist
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The UK Public Does Not Trust Tech Companies, Reports Find – TechRound
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Trust, attitudes and use of artificial intelligence: A global study 2025 – KPMG
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RFK Jr.’s Disastrous MAHA Report Seems to Have Been Written Using AI – Rolling Stone
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People With Body Image Issues Are Asking ChatGPT for Harsh Truth: “Am I Hot or Not” – Tim’s LinkedIn Post
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Is every memecoin just a scam? Experts on whether Andrew Tate and Trump are fleecing their followers – The Guardian
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AI-generated ‘slop’ is slowly killing the internet, so why is nobody trying to stop it? – The Guardian
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Sara Grimes: How Tech and AI Ignore Children’s Rights
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The Future of AI Under Trump and Project 2025
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The End of AI Utopia Thanks to Dumb Politics
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Generative AI is Damaging Children’s Mental Health and Safety in the Age of “Brain Rot”
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Why 2025 Is The Era of Internet of Sh*t (IoS)
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“Brain rot” is the 2024 Word of the Year — why is this bad news?