Firewall with Bradley Tusk Forecast: Tech and Politics in 2026
Dec 9, 2025
Get ready for a wild ride through tech and politics! Bold predictions include state legislatures leading the charge on AI regulations and skyrocketing electricity prices causing chaos. Mental-health chatbots could face misguided bans while biometric screenings gain traction. Watch out for a blooper reel from politicians mimicking short-form videos, and cities may employ drones for efficient building inspections. Plus, the future of education looks bright with AI and vocational growth.
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Episode notes
Alternative Compute Will Expand Slowly
- Alternative compute architectures (inference models, novel hardware) could reduce energy use but may trade off accuracy.
- Expect investment in many compute approaches, though major breakthroughs are unlikely within a year.
Three Mile Island Shapes Nuclear Views
- Bradley links openness to nuclear energy to one's age at Three Mile Island.
- He notes younger generations lack that memory and so are more pro-nuclear.
Regulate, Don't Ban Mental-Health Bots
- Don't reflexively ban mental-health chatbots; regulate them thoughtfully instead.
- Design rules that protect users while preserving access to helpful AI-driven mental-health support.
