The Intelligence from The Economist What in the world: predictions for 2026
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Jan 1, 2026 
Join Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist and editor of The World Ahead, as he predicts the major headlines for 2026, covering everything from geopolitics to advancements in technology and energy. He candidly discusses past misjudgments and highlights upcoming events like a solar eclipse and the US's 250th anniversary. Daniel Franklin, Executive Editor, shares anecdotes from the podcasting journey at The Economist, reminiscing about early recording days in a cramped basement and the evolution to today's sophisticated production.
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Trump's Return Reshaped Global Uncertainty
- Donald Trump's return created pervasive uncertainty that shaped global politics and economics in 2025.
- That uncertainty also influenced markets and policy choices, making caution the default for analysts.
China Adapted Quickly To Export Controls
- Chinese engineers circumvented US export controls by creatively using lower‑power chips to train advanced models.
- China also leveraged its control of rare earths as a geopolitical tool in 2025.
Some Reckonings Were Delayed, Not Avoided
- The Economist underestimated how courts would constrain Trump and missed some geopolitical shocks like Assad's collapse.
- Tom expects delayed reckonings on deficits, bond markets and AI valuations to surface in 2026.