It's Been a Minute 2026 Predictions: Beyoncé retires, AI busts, Democrats lift weights
Jan 2, 2026
Bobby Allyn, an NPR tech correspondent, and Danielle Kurtzleben, a political correspondent, join the conversation about what to expect in 2026. They delve into the potential retirement of Beyoncé and her musical legacy. Danielle discusses a strategic shift in the Democratic Party towards more masculine candidates, while Bobby warns about the risky bubble surrounding AI investments. They also highlight the dangers of AI-generated misinformation impacting elections and the emergence of prediction markets influencing political outcomes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Beyoncé's Exit Could Reset Pop Culture
- Brittany Luse predicts Beyoncé will release Act 3 in 2026 and announce retirement, marking a cultural changing of the guard.
- She suggests a major legacy shift could open space for new artists to emerge.
Democrats Lean Toward Masculine Candidates
- Danielle Kurtzleben expects Democrats to favor male candidates in 2026, dubbing it the "Dems and Dudes" year.
- She links this shift to electoral losses with women at the top of the ticket and a desire to counter gendered biases.
AI Hype Mirrors Dot‑Com Overbuild Risks
- Bobby Allyn compares today's AI investment surge to the dot-com bubble and warns of potential overbuilds in data centers and GPUs.
- He notes GPUs can depreciate and become useless if left idle or overused in oversized facilities.