Robots, AI Ethics, and the End of Thinking: Top Researcher on The State of AI in 2026

What does the future of AI really look like as we head toward 2026, beyond the hype, headlines, and fear-driven narratives?

On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by internationally recognized advisor, speaker, and researcher on AI strategy, Walter Pasquarelli.

Walter is one of the world’s leading voices on ethical and strategic AI. He has advised governments, global institutions, and leading technology companies on AI governance, policy, and readiness, and brings a grounded perspective on what it really takes to lead in the age of artificial intelligence.

Walter joins Geoff to unpack what’s actually happening with artificial intelligence and what most media coverage gets wrong. He brings a 360-degree view of AI adoption and how AI is moving out of boardrooms and into everyday life, reshaping how people think, decide, work, and relate to technology.

This conversation dives into:

Why AI adoption is accelerating among consumers not just enterprises

The rise of AI companions, humanoid robots, and everyday AI use

The real risks behind automation anxiety, data privacy, and emotional dependency

What “AI psychosis” is and why it’s a growing concern

Why AI literacy matters more than fear, hype, or blind regulation

How AI is reshaping work, leadership, and global competitiveness

In this video:

00:00 Intro

01:14 AI’s trajectory toward 2026

02:09 AI moves from boardrooms to living rooms

03:16 Humanoid robots: From screens to physical bodies

05:35 Household robots, prestige, and consumer adoption

07:33 Military, drones, and high-stakes AI applications

08:46 Self-driving cars as robotics, not just vehicles

13:49 Automation anxiety and ethical reality

18:30 Shifting authority from humans to algorithms

19:58 Power concentration and data privacy risks

22:49 AI, mental health, and emotional dependency

28:11 Why regulation alone will always lag

33:25 Business leaders’ biggest AI misconceptions

36:49 Data, talent, and capability gaps

42:18 Estonia, strategy, and digital leadership

44:42 Advising governments: What leaders must do

49:49 AI, sector disruption, and the future of work

53:22 Why top performers benefit most from AI

56:14 Judgment, curation, and human excellence

Connect with Walter:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-m-pasquarelli/?originalSubdomain=uk

X: https://x.com/waltpasquarelli

Our links:

Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG