tech
December 26, 2025
Equity's 2026 Predictions: AI Agents, Blockbuster IPOs, and the Future of VC
The Equity podcast crew breaks down what actually happened in tech in 2025, and what AI, startups, and VCs should expect in 2026.
TL;DR
- Annual predictions episode for 2026 from TechCrunch's Equity podcast.
- Discussion of mega AI funding rounds and the rise of 'physical AI'.
- Analysis of why AI agents underperformed in 2025 but may succeed in 2026.
- Consideration of Hollywood's pushback against AI-generated content.
- Exploration of the VC liquidity crisis.
- Focus on world models as the next significant AI development.
- The decline of 'stealth mode' for AI startups and the emergence of alternative funding.
- Predictions on AI policy regulatory chaos and the impact of Trump's executive order.
- Speculation on IPOs for OpenAI and Anthropic in 2026.
- Rapid-fire predictions including Johnny Ive and Sam Altman's breakup, the return of dumb phones, and 'AI native' identities.
Continue reading
the original article