6 Scary Predictions for AI in 2026
Summary
Paresh Dave’s Backchannel piece sketches six worrying trends to watch in 2026 as the AI industry navigates a volatile mix of competition, geopolitics and new tech frontiers. The article frames the predictions against recent industry moves — for example OpenAI’s ‘code red’ and previous big tech layoffs — and asks whether 2026 will bring the sector’s first widespread job cuts, fresh geopolitical interference, and headline-grabbing robot and agent behaviour.
The original is a Backchannel subscriber piece that highlights tensions between big players, the growing role of agentic AI and robotics, and how nation-state actions could shape the infrastructure and narrative around AI.
Key Points
- Major layoffs could hit the AI sector as companies refocus priorities and trim costs following intense competition and shifting product strategies.
- China may use propaganda or information operations to influence public opinion and policy — for example to slow US data-centre expansion — as infrastructure becomes a geopolitical lever.
- Agentic AI (autonomous agents that take multi-step actions) is likely to advance quickly, raising new operational, legal and safety questions.
- AI-powered robots will increasingly attract headlines — both for capability advances and for safety, liability and public perception issues.
- Geopolitical competition over compute, data centres and AI talent will drive strategic decisions by companies and governments, with consequences for investment and supply chains.
- Expect industry consolidation and strategic reorganisations as firms pivot to defend market position or prioritise profitable, scalable offerings.
Why should I read this?
Want the quick, slightly alarming headlines without wading through the paywall? This does the job. It flags the likely big swings for jobs, geopolitics and tech — the sorts of developments that change hiring, investment and policy conversations overnight. Read it if you care about where AI will hit the headlines (and wallets) in 2026.
Author’s voice
Punchy and watchful — the piece reads like an industry wake-up call: keep an eye on layoffs, geopolitics and the rise of agentic systems.
Source
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/backchannel-2026-predictions-tech-robots-ai/