Firewall with Bradley Tusk Forecast: Tech and Politics in 2026
Dec 9, 2025
Get ready for a wild ride through tech and politics! Bold predictions include state legislatures leading the charge on AI regulations and skyrocketing electricity prices causing chaos. Mental-health chatbots could face misguided bans while biometric screenings gain traction. Watch out for a blooper reel from politicians mimicking short-form videos, and cities may employ drones for efficient building inspections. Plus, the future of education looks bright with AI and vocational growth.
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States Will Drive AI Regulation
- Most meaningful tech regulation will come from state and local governments, not Washington.
- Expect a tidal wave of state AI bills in 2026 shaping real-world AI rules and enforcement.
AI Will Stress Power Grids
- Generative AI's compute needs will dramatically increase electricity demand in data-center regions.
- Rising power costs will become a major political liability for incumbents and alter AI infrastructure decisions.
Alternative Compute Will Expand Slowly
- Alternative compute architectures (inference models, novel hardware) could reduce energy use but may trade off accuracy.
- Expect investment in many compute approaches, though major breakthroughs are unlikely within a year.
