I’m far from the first to use AI to try to predict the future. A study published in late 2024 by a Wharton professor showed that pooling predictions from different LLMs produced results comparable to those achieved by using human forecasters.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I wondered: Could I get an accurate prediction about what will happen in 2026 by asking four leading AI assistants?
For this scaled-down version of the previous experiment, I wasn’t interested in bombastic sci-fi fantasies. No, I wanted to know about what structural shifts in AI, the workplace, and society could be heading our way over the next 365 days. The only rule was that the AI predictions had to be grounded in observable trends, not wild guesses.
So I asked ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude to paint me a picture of what 2026 might look like. I first wanted their predictions typed black on white, but then I also asked them to generate an actual picture that they felt best represented their thoughts. Lastly, I compared everything side by side, looking for statements all four independently landed on. Here’s what happened.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT made the bold prediction that “2026 is unlikely to be dramatic”. Fingers crossed, I guess?
It went on to suggest that our use of AI will somewhat change as we drift away from initiating prompts and shift to approving AI actions that will be partially autonomous by default. AI will draft replies, reshuffle calendars, and summarize documents by default, leaving us to approve their actions or intervene.
I asked ChatGPT whether we’ll see GPT-6 be released in 2026.
“Likely, but not confirmed,” was its reply.
With regard to workplace dynamics, ChatGPT said middle-tier roles (junior analysts, entry-level researchers) will continue to shrink. Unfortunately, the rise of AI will not see us working fewer hours as the idea of “more output” is replacing the dream of “less work”.
In general, ChatGPT also predicts that anonymous content will lose influence online as people will turn to known authors, verified sources, and institutional credibility amid a flood of AI-generated content. Even fewer people will be browsing the web and instead ask AI directly for answers to their questions.
If ChatGPT is to be believed, more of our friends will start pursuing analogue hobbies that take us away from our screens to enjoy fully offline experiences.
Gemini
Google’s Gemini said 2026 will be defined by autonomous AI where we move past the novelty of chatting with AI assistants and instead collaborate with agents who would be quietly handling tasks for us.
It also suggested we’ll see the rise of Small Language Models (SLMs) running locally on our phones, ensuring none of our sensitive data leaves our pockets. But speaking of your pockets, get ready to open them to pay for quality content as creators move their productions behind paywalls as they see web traffic from traditional sources decline.
If Gemini is to be believed, mid-to-senior level talent at companies will be holding around 2 concurrent “fractional” roles at different companies rather than one full-time job as a shield against layoffs.
Interestingly, it also suggested people will start local, community-based bartering networks in response to global supply chain volatility. Seems like all those hours I’ve logged on RPGs will come in handy!
Perplexity
Perplexity dubbed 2026 as the year of authenticity, where AI productivity becomes measurable, outcomes at work will trump time-tracking, and creators will focus on being vulnerable rather than polished.
In terms of its AI-related predictions, Perplexity said the gap between companies that use AI and those that don’t will widen. It also expects to see the rise of physical AI as the tools we’re using online will make their presence felt in the real world.
Claude
As far as workplace dynamics go, Claude predicted a rise in the four-day work week with Gen Z workers pushing for more flexibility and purpose-driven work.
It also picked up on digital-detox trends and said we can expect to “see the first major social platform implement usage reduction features as a competitive advantage rather than resistance.”
Claude anticipates that most major AI systems will seamlessly integrate text, voice, image, and video capabilities as baseline features rather than special additions in 2026.
Ironically, since Claude can’t generate its own images, I asked it to draft a prompt that I would pass on to one of my favorite AI image generation tools, Leonardo. It would handle the rest.
Final thoughts
The full responses of the four AI assistants were far too long to reproduce here, but I compared them side by side.
The one thing there seemed to be unanimity on was that we can expect to see a shift in how we use AI. Our current prompt-based interactions with chatbots will make room for AI that’s more autonomous as it becomes integrated into more parts of our lives.
I then also pulled out predictions for 2026 that at least three of the chatbots had in common. These were:
- Employers will prioritize human-centric traits like strategy and emotional intelligence over technical skills
- Verified sources will become premium assets
- Traditional web browsing and search engine usage will decline
I found it interesting to observe the predictions of the four AI assistants seem to point to a defining tension of 2026: where AI becomes an invisible co-pilot of our lives, while we simultaneously retreat into offline sanctuaries to take a break from it all.
We could be heading into an interesting year. See you on the other side!
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