The unhinged world of tech in 2026...

Overview

This episode explores the tech landscape of 2026, diving into emerging trends like AI's impact on jobs, the rise of humanoid robots, advancements in quantum computing, and the evolving developer ecosystem. It critiques the hype cycles, highlights practical innovations, and forecasts the future of technology.

Notable Quotes

- The year is 2026. Your $3,500 smart fridge has a GPU and displays advertisements. Your boss is an AI. Your girlfriend is a robot. – A satirical take on the overengineered future.

- AI coding tools are still nowhere close to replacing human engineers. All the vibe-coded slop out there is creating a whole new class of jobs called code janitors. – On the limitations of AI in software development.

- When quantum computing hits version 1.0, it'll make the AI bubble look like child's play. – On the transformative potential of quantum computing.

🧑‍💻 The Developer Job Market in 2026

- Software engineering jobs have not fully recovered from the 2023 tech pullback, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15% growth through 2034.

- AI coding tools have created a demand for code janitors to clean up poorly generated code, ensuring human engineers remain essential.

- Changes to the H-1B visa program, including a $100,000 application fee, could reduce overseas hiring, impacting the global tech workforce.

🤖 The AI Bubble and Robotics

- Large Language Models (LLMs) have plateaued, with GPT-5 failing to deliver exponential improvements. AI remains impressive but far from self-improving intelligence.

- The AI bubble persists, with private companies like OpenAI and SpaceX planning massive IPOs in 2026.

- Humanoid robots like 1X Neo and Tesla Optimus are emerging, promising to replace manual labor, though current tech still requires significant human oversight.

⚛️ Quantum Computing and Nuclear Power

- Google's advancements in quantum computing, such as the Willow chip and quantum echoes algorithm, hint at practical applications becoming viable.

- Quantum computing could revolutionize industries, surpassing the impact of AI.

- The energy demands of AI are driving interest in nuclear power, with modular reactors like Ollo's potentially powering data centers.

🌐 Wearable AI and AR/VR

- Wearable AI tech is evolving, with OpenAI collaborating on a new device and Nike developing battery-powered shoes.

- Virtual reality remains niche, with the Apple Vision Pro flopping but rumors of a lower-cost version offering hope.

- Meta continues investing in augmented reality, but the sector struggles with profitability.

📜 JavaScript and Developer Tools

- JavaScript frameworks are evolving, with bun.js gaining traction for its speed and built-in database support.

- ReactJS remains dominant but faces competition from frameworks like Svelte and Vue.

- Backend tools like Node.js and Deno are improving, with features like TypeScript support and module bundling enhancing developer productivity.