Dave Morin, Jessica Lessin, Brit Morin, and Sam Lessin
2026 Tech Predictions: AI Layoffs, a $500B IPO, and the Death of SaaS as We Know It
DEC 19, 202556 MIN
2026 Tech Predictions: AI Layoffs, a $500B IPO, and the Death of SaaS as We Know It
DEC 19, 202556 MIN
Description
<p>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. <strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>01:50 Morin’s “Nauti or Nice” Holiday Card</p><p>04:06 Sam’s 2025 Predictions: Bitcoin, Solana ETFs, Crypto Government Adoption</p><p>05:16 Britt’s 2025 Predictions: Amazon Marketplace, Elon’s “TITS,” Swift Engagement</p><p>07:52 Dave’s 2025 Predictions: Data Centers, Material Flow Robotics, Crypto Clarity</p><p>10:18 Jess’s 2025 Predictions: TikTok U.S., Vertical Stacks, Media Copyright, GLP-1s</p><p>11:40 2025 Themes: “Slop,” AI Talent Wars, Government–Tech Ties</p><p>12:58 Big Tech Check-In: Apple Loses Ground, Google’s Delta</p><p>13:41 Amazon’s $10B OpenAI Bet and Chip Diplomacy</p><p>16:16 Britt’s 2026 Predictions: Apple Comeback, Wearable Agents, AI Talent Deals</p><p>21:45 Jess’s 2026 Predictions: AI-Driven Layoffs, Liquidity Wave, Prediction Market Regulation</p><p>28:57 Dave’s 2026 Predictions: Third Places, Games-First IP, Roblox Scrutiny</p><p>36:17 Sam’s 2026 Predictions: One $500B+ IPO, Nvidia Down, Google Up, Meta ATH</p><p>44:13 AI Is the New UI: SaaS UX Moats Under Pressure</p><p>49:35 Does AI Adult Content Go Mainstream?</p><p>50:04 Dave on Google Doppl and AI Try-On Tech</p><p>51:28 Britt’s Pop Corner: Taylor Swift Album and Pregnancy Speculation</p><p>52:19 Industry Wish List: More DPI, Kids’ Mental Health, Waymos Everywhere<strong>We’re also on ↓</strong>X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspodInstagram: https://instagram.com/moreorlessYouTube: https://youtu.be/ehO3wIio7Nw<strong>Connect with us here:</strong>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</p>