2026 Tech Predictions: AI Layoffs, a $500B IPO, and the Death of SaaS as We Know It
More or Less
Intro
Jessica, Brit, Dave, and Sam open the episode with holiday banter and set up the predictions format.
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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