My thoughts on People, things, Items, Events that will impact on 2026
#article
#Future
#Suncatcher
#2025-6
#2026
The future is on the mind of many a writer, all those new year lists, the year just past, whats coming in 2026, there are so many variables, it hard to see what coming or whats heading the pack of a very mixed year to come
For me this post os not so much a prediction, more what might be worth watching I see many events and people who I think will make a difference, in a number of key areas, so my overall list look something like:
Internet & Technology
Building Technology
Search
Transport
Entertainment
Science & Maths
Health
Politics
Business
Books
Travel
Computers
People
Internet & Technology
its the state of the internet and AI, the vast number of AI articles all talking about who is best, or who controls what, its a nightmare, the power needed to run the system how do we supply more, google “suncatcher “ satellite that has vast solar panels powering a super computer in a geosynchronous orbit and a laser link to earth, all possible and worthy of many more column inches, but in 2026, I wonder, perhaps not.
The internet we have now will take a lot to keep running in the next year or two, but I just watched a program on the comparison of the brain to any of the AI’s and I suddenly realised that AI’s can’t do what I consider fundamental to every day life, I see, smell, hear, feel remeber, and forget, I have intuition, in that I get strange feelings on right or wrong, people, I attach myself to, my pet dog, I hate some foods and love spicy things, oh and put a bowl of olives in front of me with a deep rich red wine and all meetings other than a simple conversation are off limits.
My brain needs very little, less than a lightbulb to keep going, I store all I know not in files but so many connections, a simple smell can trigger so many things, even a todo list, why, I have no idea, but it happens all done on less power than a 2AA battery.
So if you want my forecast for 2026, it will be an AI running on my iPhone, taking no more that a glance at my battery, have a direct link to all my files, Apple Notes, the odd idea jotted in a pages file, or numbers spreadsheet, know all my diary appointments and listen to my conversations and add diary notes ready for me.
This is what I see once Apple makes a deal with google, suddenly all will change, and I will be happy, not because I got it right, but because my world will be simpler.
My watch will not just vibrate to give directions, it will be so much more, it will listen to me, play music into my almost constant earbuds, and not worry when I swap then for a new pair whilst they charge, and oh charging will be a simple method odfwalking, yes its not new, but it will happen, and so quickly.
But some how I think there will be trade offs, I know my Apple 15 is not going to make it happen. but Google can., see the section on my iPhone below.
Building Technology
Search
Its quite obvious, search is changing, I rarley use the seach bar on Safari, I just go straight to Google Gemini, and start a conversation, its quicker and easier, plus I get a link to the conversation its in simple English so I can copy and paste, and I have a citable reference.
AI as I stated above is the game changer for 20126, and beyond, and it wil change the way I use it.
Search within my Apple Notes plus all my filrs, the Keynote slides, articles, ePub books I have written and half written, plus a stack of pdf files, are all searchable, On a Mac its via Spotlight, for Windows and Linux I have no idea, for Chrome is just the same as a Mac the general search looks everywhere.
Below in books I have a little moan about my book reading and how markups in a digital book, should be linked to Apple Notes. I see no reason why this should not be, after all its, already there, but not linked, although I do copy and paste into Apple notes as I read and markup, its just,,,,, well time saving for me.
Transport
I shudder at the very idea of swapping my Audi A4 Avant, for some sort of EV, my Audi does 70+ to the gallon of diesel it is repairable, and so comfortable, I open the bonnet and recognise most of the component, yes it might be a little better if I update the rather scrappy, badley designed central screen to a more useful display, but if Apple gets their finger out, then I might see improvements on that, but as long as I can talk to it via my iPhone then Im going to be happy especially on a planed trip to Scotland.
I shall not be swapping over just yet, I have another 100,000 miles to do before that decision is made. But will I take a taxi ride with no driver, of course, why not.
My MacBook Air is in need of replacement, according to Apple, they say I need the update to run their version of AI, yet Google Gemini runs happly on a pixel 3, ? and an old Asus laptop.
I sit on a knife edge between Apple and Google, and Google and Gemini is becoming the easier to use.
I used to like Google Docs but swapped over to Apple Pages as I retired, a far better writing experience, but only just, Docs does it all and has a direct link to Gemini.
Apple Notes is the best there is for note taking, its so linked to Safari, to record links, I can scan from my iPhone and transcribe so easily from the recording button.
Its highly likely I buy the Pixel 10 I have been there before and liked the experience, but it meand loosing a link to Apple, is that so bad, if aApple takes to long sorting out AI, it will be no loss. and the thought that Apple can catch up is suddenly becoming, a fading possability.
Entertainment
We were forced to swap from Sky satalite to the Internet, due to trees blocking our signal, but the experience was not a happy one, we ditched it for EE and their offering, which is better, but an 11 year old could design a better interface.
Then out of nowhere, Google introduces Google TV, with links to all my channels and film stations, Netflix, Disney etc: and Apple, its what apple should have been, but is not, so I am so tempted, we will see, but I have films on AppleTV so need to solve an import or transfer before I move, or perhaps a deal to access my films, its on a knife edge.
Don’t get me wrong, EE, the internet side of BT, is very good, the installation was great, and the speed is as promised, its just their system to record and show tv and film channels that sucks, but I live with it,,,, oh Google just make your dongle cheaper and I’m in.
Science & Maths
Its obvious there will be some major breakthoughs in Science and Maths as the power of AI and computing in general breaks so many barriers, Watching the news shows how far we are going in Quantum Science, and the speed at which old barriers to knowledge are being broken and explored., I have started to subscribe to several AI and knowledge based news letter, just to try and keep up, my old favourites Wired Magazine remains, but others are just packed with gosip and often bad comment.
But the disturbing amount of disinformation continues to grow, I spend as much time checking as to believing.
Health
The older I get, the more health is of interest, my eyesight, my shaking hands, all of my body complaining after a long walk, my eyesight fading and the cost of new glasses, all seem to be a continuous cycle of replacement or having to take more rest.
I see my watch playing a greater role in monitoring not just my health, but my overall well being, so 2026 will see my Apple watch being upgraded to a model with more health tools, unless I swop to Google Pixel 10, then I need an alternative.
My eyesight will soon need a major repair, I have cataracts and although they are becoming more of a problem, I think I will last the year, but I will take another eye test in the summer and that will be the decision point. I wear glasses, so is it possible 2026 will see glasses with an AI embedded, just to keep my eyes under review, as well as communicating a load of information, my mind seems to forget. mostly people and their names.
Politics
We put people in power to run our country, yet, we never check if they are competent to run the country in a continuously ever changing landscape, both home and abroad. I see a major change in 2026, in the government, its replacement will be tried and tested, it will have experience, and be able to understand, and its quite possible AI could well be part of this, a little to SciFi for you, think again, you may not know the AI is being consulted, but its quire possible that at least one if not several will be, I can easily see a political AI being delivered.
I can seriously see an end to the EU, its run its course, and each of the member states will eventually leave, but certain elements will remain, Its central currency, and the Court system,
Business
So much of business is gearing up to using AI, if they have not already done so already. But I get the impression that so many users do not use AI correctly, issuing commands, rather than asking for a conversation, discussing the problem as they might with a human. asking rather than demanding, giving some background, loading up information, expplaing how why, where you need help. NotebookLM is an AI that lets you do this. Its not like talking to an AI, more loading up the AI with information, and also giving it a script, given this and that, can you explain this.
This is a new way of using an AI and for some it will be a beautiful way forward.
Books
I am a constant book buyer and reader, currently at my desk, I have :
The Soul of a new machine - Tracy Kidder
An old book, but so interesting as a machine is developed
Eating the Sun - Oliver Morton
I have yet to read it, but Gemini suggested it as part of a subject in glass,
Caesars Last Breath - Sam Keon
I have yet to read it, but Gemini suggested it as part of a subject in glass,
The Fourth Intelligence Revolution - Anthony Vince - Apple Books
This is a spy talking, and I am hooked, I have the sample on my Apple books, its far better than Kindle and links are easy to add to Apple Notes
I take notes, lots of notes, but I never mark up a paper book, Its just something I hate, and it makes me mad when I see someone reading a rather expensive book and folding corners, or marking in ink, or underlining in ink, UUUUg, but marking an electronic book is almost required,
So Apple, can we have a new section in Apple notes, to handle this pleae, currently its a little messed up, if I can I buy Apple Books, and mark up there, but sometimes its kindle, so please sort out a link to my book reading.
Travel
Travel is going to be big in 2026 and beyond well at least till 2028, Europe is not a good place, the EU is being an arse, and making it difficult, plus they want to charge us,,,, that a stab in the back.
But Africa is wide open to travel and that's where I think we will concentrate on,
Travel brings on major problems, age, and insurance, the older I get, the more they want, and the more they need to know.
Computer
I need both Google and Apple, its not a problem, I use a Mac but so many services are provided by Google, my web site is Google, my Search is Google, my AI is google, I write in Word, not that I want to but would prefer Apple Pages, but my publisher insists !
I use Apple Numbers and Apple photo, email is Apple, so is my Calendar, although it's linked to Google simply because of Google workspace which I need to talk to my editor. Apple just has no similar tool, and although Zoom is fine, Google workspace works better.
Oh I store almost all on my Apple iCloud account, my iPhone is the 15, its ok, it runs Gemini very well, there again I have a Pixel 3 that also runs Gemini with no noticeable difference.
My Mac is a MacBook Air its ok, I just miss the second screen but that is my only issue, Mac just works, I run both Safari and Chrome with Safari being the dominant browser.
Let talk iPhone, my last upgrade was to the iPhone 15, at the time 16 was not known, and overall, its just fine, photos are good, and I have full links to the Mac, I run it on the EE network, which is also fine. But the 15 is in need of an upgrade, it will not handle Apples version of AI well. and I think thats going to be a problem soon.
Google Gemini is probably the best AI to have access to, but, and I think it's going to happen, that Apple integrates Gemini into its own system, and I am sure it will need to run mostly on the iPhone, I definitely think I need the 17.
And its here I have a dilema, I although I have many conversations stored into Gemini on google, that I would like to move into Apple, for continuity although all my important conversations are linked back into my Apple Notes, so I will not loose anthing. and all important requests , answers and conversations are copied over as well.
Apple Notes has a text copy, plus a link to the conversation, so all is not lost if Apple either does not transfer, or they decide on an alternative approach, .
What will happen ? For me, my gut is saying drop my iPhone 15 now and upgrade, but to what,
My iPhone 15 is great, it runs Gemini no problem, the Chrome browser is brill on the Mac, I can easily stay as I am, till Apple makes a positive move on AI.
Do I need to update to the Apple 17, I think not, well not at present and that includes the Google Pixel 10.
But updating the MacBook Air for a Mac Mini, in 2026 after the normal Apple show in the spring, will be a good update, my Mackbook Air is an M1 machine and if I stay with Apple then needed,
I think by then Apple Intelligence will have a formal path, if its Gemini, all well and good, but it needs to work with Apples walled privacy, and in general I am in favour of that, after all its part of why I stick to Apple, that and the general Apple way of life.
I have tried Google, and it's not Apple,, but the more I use it now the more I can live with it, I have even moved several items back, simply because its easier to load up the the web site, and Gemini can read them.
Did I say, I live on a knife edge, balanced between Google and Apple, that was the last blog! Google is slowly pulling me back, cloud based computing, and a possible answer to the power problems, plus well I like Gemini winning me over.
And chrome books are not that bad, I can do all I want and the machines are a lot cheaper.
All I have to do is sort out my knowledge base, Apple Notes is possibly the best there is, Keep is not in the same league, but is still very usable, oh dessions.
On reflection I see me staying on a mac, but being more Google ,,,,,,,,,
AI
How could I not consider AI as both a player in 2025, and how the future will look in 2026 for AI and me. The rapid,,,,, no Stella climb of AI in the past year 2025 is the true game changer, and 2026 is going to be one hell of a ride, there is no other way to even think of describing how AI will change life, research, new materials, cars, transport, food, even war.
Sci Fi has tried to consider the many variables, but I doubt it could have anticipated the impact in just one year, I have tried many of them, Apple as always, has lagged behind with the almost useless Siri, although its pretty good at simple stuff, Google Gemini, ChatGTP, Claude, Pi, Perplexity, and of course, Grok, breaking the sound barrier with almost weekly improvements.
I must admit to liking both Gemini, and ChatGTP, I already pay for Google so Gemini comes as part of that subscription, ChatGTP has the need to be paid for, and there is a gut feeling not to trust it, plus without warning is suddenly says I have used up all my available tokens,,,,,,
Gemini on the other hand has the google Doc links and all that brings with it, plus it keeps working and the new audio conversation works very well.
But we need to take a look at the climb and speed AI is taking .The timeline is already climbing fast and as new versions of each AI push the others, I can only see the curve going almost vertical.
For us in the AEC industry we need to understand the different areas AI will influence, and how. This is going to need a much larger article but I think we need to understand the different segments: AEC, (Architect, Engineer, Contractor ) industry ie the design side, and as a separate area, the manufacturing element, and the the client.
Each will use AI in a slightly different way, but all need to gell and understand each other.
Plus the idea of an AI being not part of the team is a vast mistake, and training on AI use may well be needed. I have written on this before, urging a conversation not instructional approach.
People
There are many people who I think are worthy of some form of following, just because they are interesting, they may well have done something interesting, or have made a point I agree with.
Elon Musk - A load of companies, he can be a real pain, but a lot of his work is astounding.
Sir Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind Technologies. I love listening to him, take notes and watch him.
Leo Laport - Twit, his talk shows are a not too miss event, I walk a dog and he is there always, discussing ,getting a view point from guests, not to be missed.
Katie Druuond - Global Editor Wired Magazine. Is there is a magazine like Wired, certainly not, its my only subscription, and worth every penny.
Fidj Simo - OpenAI CEO
Given the status of OpenAI and the current links with Apple and Siri, it's an obvious person to follow. Plus she is a complete unknown,
That's a strange prediction, but AI will be at the top of my list. The weather, I have not mentioned here, but have aired it well on other papers, Mitchells Construction, look out for it at the end of the year.
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