The Equity team at TechCrunch wraps up 2025 and previews the year ahead in their yearly predictions episode. Co-hosts Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, and Rebecca Bellan, alongside Build Mode’s Isabelle Johannessen, analyzed 2025’s major tech milestones, including unexpectedly large AI funding and the emergence of “physical AI,” before offering their forecasts for 2026.
Discussions covered why AI agents fell short of expectations in 2025 (but are likely to succeed in 2026), Hollywood’s anticipated resistance to AI-generated content, and the pressing liquidity challenges faced by venture capitalists.
Tune into the complete episode for discussions on:
- The growing significance of world models in AI and their distinction from large language models.
- The decline of “stealth mode” for AI startups and the emergence of diverse funding avenues.
- Forecasts regarding potential regulatory upheaval in AI policy and the implications of Trump’s latest executive order for new businesses.
- Insights on upcoming IPOs: The likelihood of OpenAI and Anthropic launching public offerings in 2026.
- Quick predictions, such as the foreseen public split between Johnny Ive and Sam Altman, the resurgence of basic mobile phones, and the widespread adoption of the term “AI native.”
- Preview of Build Mode Season 2: An in-depth exploration of team formation, recruitment strategies, and securing co-founders.
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