The Story Is 2026 the year of the AI backlash?
Jan 2, 2026
Danny Fortson, U.S. West Coast correspondent for The Sunday Times, dives into the growing complexities of AI in daily life. He discusses the disparity between grand promises and the current realities of AI, particularly its impacts on jobs and society. As millions embrace AI tools, there’s a predicted backlash due to mental health concerns and community protests against data centers. Fortson also highlights a troubling hiring drop for young graduates and warns that AI could become a central political issue in the coming years.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI-Powered Pendant Story
- Danny Fortson describes a friend who made an always-on pendant that listens and acts as a companion.
- The founder, 22, argued we should get comfortable being friends with algorithms.
Hype vs. Reality For Young Workers
- Massive AI hype promises abundance while current effects include a micro-targeted jobs recession for young people.
- Danny warns many users are increasingly frustrated because promised futures haven't arrived yet.
Chatbots Sparked A Massive Boom
- ChatGPT's 2022 launch triggered an AI boom with hundreds of millions of weekly users for major chatbots.
- People find these tools useful, yet their societal and job effects are where backlash may start.