AI’s Steve Jobs?, Big Tech AI Chaos Ladder, 2026 Crystal Ball

Big Technology Podcast

Alex Kantrowitz

Management, Religion, Politics, Entrepreneurship, Business News, News, Investing, Marketing, News Commentary, Social Sciences, Science, Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Business, Tech News, Philosophy, Government, Technology

4.7 • 596 Ratings

🗓️ 12 January 2026

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

M.G. Siegler of Spyglass is back for our monthly tech news discussion. Today we discuss whether AI needs a Steve Jobs, whether the technology lends itself to that type of leader, and who it might be of the current crop. We also discuss which Big Tech companies are actually winning in the AI race and why so few have a standout AI product. Then we look at the year ahead and get some of Siegler's boldest predictions. Tune in for a fun, deep discussion on the current state of AI and what's missing. --- Enjoying Big Technology Podcast? Please rate us five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in your podcast app of choice. Want a discount for Big Technology on Substack + Discord? Here’s 25% off for the first year: https://www.bigtechnology.com/subscribe?coupon=0843016b --- EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/bigtech Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!Instructions to Claim Free Year of NordVPNPlease enter the code provided (below) via this link: https://my.nordaccount.com/activate. Fill in the necessary fields to activate the account.Code to Claim Free Year of NordVPNVSCjRuNSUjvMwHgvMfVsyYDRd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Does AI need its own Steve Jobs, which big tech company is climbing the AI chaos ladder?
0:06.6	And let's look ahead at what will happen in 2026.
0:10.0	That's coming up with M.G Siegler right after this.
0:13.5	Can AI's most valuable use be in the industrial setting?
0:16.7	I've been thinking about this question more and more after visiting IFS's Industrial X Unleashed event in New York City and getting a chance to speak with IFS CEO Mark Muffett.
0:27.1	To give a clear example, Mufford told me that IFS is sending Boston Dynamics spot robots out for inspection, bringing that data back to the IFS N center, which then with the assistance of large language
0:38.7	models can assign the right technician to examine areas that need attending. It's a fascinating
0:44.6	frontier of the technology, and I'm thankful to my partners at IFS for opening my eyes to it. To learn more,
0:51.0	go to IFS.com. That's IFS.com.
1:01.2	This episode is brought to you by Shopify. With Shopify, 2026 is the year you make it happen.
1:06.7	It gives you the tools to build your dream store, online and in person. Plus, with marketing built-in, it'll help you reach exactly who you need to. Join the millions who've already made the leap,
1:12.6	like Jim Shark and Allbirds, and ring in the new year with Shopify. Sign up for your £1 per
1:19.6	month trial at Shopify.com.com.combe. Welcome to Big Technology Podcast. Well, it's not the first Monday of the month, but this is the first real Monday of the month,
1:32.4	year January 12th as we get 2026 kicked off, which means it's time for M.G.
1:37.6	Segal to join us for his monthly spot.
1:40.0	We have a great show for you coming up.
1:41.6	We're going to talk about whether AI needs its own Steve Jobs.
1:45.3	We're going to talk a little bit about the chaos that AI brings to big tech and who's climbing that ladder.
1:51.1	Of course, we have some breaking news that Apple and Google have just signed the deal for Google to power the new AI functionality within Syria.
1:59.1	And of course, since it's the first, our first episode together
2:03.7	of the year, let's take a look ahead and see what MG thinks is going to happen in 2026.
2:08.7	MG, great to see you. Welcome back to the show. Thank you. Great to be back with you in the New Year,
	...

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