FT Tech Tonic Tech in 2026: Inside the AI bubble
120 snips
Jan 14, 2026 
George Hammond, a venture capital correspondent at the Financial Times, reveals the origins of the AI bubble and potential market corrections. Melissa Heikkilä, the AI correspondent, discusses the nuances between language models and broader AI, while Sarah O'Connor, an insightful columnist, highlights the implications for labor markets. They delve into the inherent errors of LLMs, the challenges for startups, and the mixed predictions for AI's role in 2026. Will AI transform tasks or displace jobs? The conversation raises pressing questions about the future of work in an AI-driven world.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Secretive Fundraising In Silicon Valley
- George described a VC who sat in a vestibule and was given no details before investing in a secretive startup.
- Thinking Machines Lab raised billions despite refusing investors full access, illustrating frothy capital.
Growth Slowdown Could Trigger Valuation Shock
- Rapid revenue growth slowing would prompt valuation corrections and market jitters for AI firms.
- Failure of a major lab to raise private capital could force public listings and intense scrutiny.
LLMs Are Only One Part Of AI
- Much of today's AI excitement concentrates on LLMs, not the full AI umbrella.
- Researchers are shifting interest toward world models and other architectures beyond LLMs.