2026 Tech Predictions: AI Layoffs, a $500B IPO, and the Death of SaaS as We Know It
· 56 min
Episode 2026 Tech Predictions: AI Layoffs, a $500B IPO, and the Death of SaaS as We Know It
The pod signs off for the year with its final episode—a sharp, chaotic recap of last year’s predictions and a fresh round of hot takes for 2026. Sam and Dave, unsurprisingly, wing it: Sam calls a single $500B+ IPO (SpaceX), Google up, NVIDIA down, and Meta hitting new highs on AI-powered ads. Jess warns that AI-driven efficiency will fuel layoffs (especially in journalism) and that CapEx hype is outrunning reality. Dave predicts a boom in third places and games-first IP, while Britt bets on an Apple comeback, AI wearables as daily “life summarizers,” a breakout AI-native social app, and a celebrity licensing their AI twin. True to form, the crew goes off script to debate Amazon’s rumored $10B OpenAI deal, AI as the new UI, which model builders survive, regulation looming over prediction markets, “slop” as word of the year, GLP-1s going mainstream, creators eyeing Emmys, and much more. Chapters:
01:50 Morin’s “Nauti or Nice” Holiday Card
04:06 Sam’s 2025 Predictions: Bitcoin, Solana ETFs, Crypto Government Adoption
05:16 Britt’s 2025 Predictions: Amazon Marketplace, Elon’s “TITS,” Swift Engagement
07:52 Dave’s 2025 Predictions: Data Centers, Material Flow Robotics, Crypto Clarity
10:18 Jess’s 2025 Predictions: TikTok U.S., Vertical Stacks, Media Copyright, GLP-1s
11:40 2025 Themes: “Slop,” AI Talent Wars, Government–Tech Ties
12:58 Big Tech Check-In: Apple Loses Ground, Google’s Delta
13:41 Amazon’s $10B OpenAI Bet and Chip Diplomacy
16:16 Britt’s 2026 Predictions: Apple Comeback, Wearable Agents, AI Talent Deals
21:45 Jess’s 2026 Predictions: AI-Driven Layoffs, Liquidity Wave, Prediction Market Regulation
28:57 Dave’s 2026 Predictions: Third Places, Games-First IP, Roblox Scrutiny
36:17 Sam’s 2026 Predictions: One $500B+ IPO, Nvidia Down, Google Up, Meta ATH
44:13 AI Is the New UI: SaaS UX Moats Under Pressure
49:35 Does AI Adult Content Go Mainstream?
50:04 Dave on Google Doppl and AI Try-On Tech
51:28 Britt’s Pop Corner: Taylor Swift Album and Pregnancy Speculation
52:19 Industry Wish List: More DPI, Kids’ Mental Health, Waymos EverywhereWe’re also on ↓X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspodInstagram: https://instagram.com/moreorlessYouTube: https://youtu.be/ehO3wIio7NwConnect with us here:1) Sam Lessin: https://x.com/lessin2) Dave Morin: https://x.com/davemorin3) Jessica Lessin: https://x.com/Jessicalessin4) Brit Morin: https://x.com/brit
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