The AI ‘Lifts All Boats’ Era is Over: Jessica Lessin's 2026 Predictions

Hello,

The pivotal year is 2026. In her annual live video summit, our founder and Editor-in-Chief Jessica Lessin broke down the critical themes that will define the tech industry next year.

The era of easy AI money is ending. The focus is now on usage, efficiency, and game theory.

Watch the full session or read the key takeaways (exclusive to Pro subscribers) to understand the new realities facing the industry.

Top 3 Predictions for 2026:

• Big Tech—The AI Tailwinds are Dying Down: The "AI lifts all boats" trend is over. Expect wildly different outcomes. Look out for a big year for Google, while Microsoft is predicted to be the company most likely to make a major acquisition.
• The CFO is the New CEO: Due to massive capital expenditure on AI infrastructure, the Chief Financial Officer is increasingly setting the company's strategic direction, shifting power away from traditional product leaders.
• A Flight to Quality in Media: The rise of AI summarization and the decline in search/social traffic pose an existential threat to publishers. Subscriptions and direct-to-consumer models will become even more vital for survival.

For a limited time, through this Friday, December 12—we are bringing back our best offer of the year so you can access all of our deep-dive analysis. The Information Pro, regularly priced at $999/year, is available to you for $699/year (30% off). This special rate locks in your access for two full years.