Glöcklers Predictions 2026 & CEO Scams #524
2026 tech predictions covering OpenAI's future, AI strategies from big tech, potential M&A deals, and warnings about emerging CEO impersonation scams.
Timestamps
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:00 | Intro & New Year Discussion |
| 05:37 | Brookfield Cloud Business |
| 10:47 | OpenAI Advertising Plans |
| 15:27 | Meta Ad Library Manipulation |
| 22:35 | Neuralink Mass Production |
| 27:57 | Drug Normalization in Valley Culture |
| 29:50 | Nicotine Pouches & Productivity |
| 31:25 | Musk GDP Growth Predictions |
| 37:54 | Sam Altman OpenAI Exit |
| 40:24 | Microsoft/Google AI Advantage |
| 46:58 | Amazon Top 2 Magnificent Seven |
| 57:13 | SaaS Market Downturn |
| 58:47 | Meta Whatnot Acquisition |
| 59:36 | LVMH On Running Purchase |
| 01:02:52 | Apple Vision Pro 2026 |
| 01:03:43 | BaFin Neo-Broker Regulation |
| 01:08:06 | Racket Sports Trend Year |
| 01:09:27 | Community Predictions |
| 01:14:19 | Notebook LM Tool |
| 01:16:48 | CEO Scam 2.0 Threats |
Predictions Made
AI & Big Tech
- Sam Altman may depart OpenAI — Discussion around leadership tensions and strategic direction (37:54)
- Microsoft and Google will dominate AI — Enterprise adoption favors established players with infrastructure (40:24)
- OpenAI pursues advertising monetization — Following the Google playbook for revenue (10:47)
- Amazon enters top 2 of Magnificent Seven — Cloud and AI positioning strengthens (46:58)
M&A Activity
- Meta acquires Whatnot — Live shopping platform fits Meta's commerce strategy (58:47)
- LVMH purchases On Running — Luxury conglomerate expands into athletic wear (59:36)
Market Trends
- SaaS market downturn — Consolidation and reduced valuations expected (57:13)
- Apple Vision Pro launches 2026 — Continued push into spatial computing (01:02:52)
- Racket sports trending — Padel and pickleball continue growth (01:08:06)
Emerging Risks
- CEO scams enter sophisticated new phase — Deepfake and social engineering attacks targeting finance teams (01:16:48)
- Meta's ad library manipulation — Scammers exploit gaps in ad transparency (15:27)
Key Arguments
Brookfield Cloud Expansion (05:37)
Infrastructure investment firm Brookfield entering cloud business signals continued capital flow into data center and compute infrastructure. The hosts discuss implications for existing cloud providers.
Silicon Valley Drug Culture (27:57)
Discussion of normalized drug use in tech culture, from productivity-focused substances to recreational use. The nicotine pouch trend (29:50) reflects a shift toward "optimized" consumption patterns among tech workers.
Musk's GDP Claims (31:25)
Critical analysis of Elon Musk's projections for triple-digit economic growth, which contradict mainstream economic forecasts. The hosts question the methodology and assumptions behind these claims.
Neuralink Production (22:35)
Neuralink scaling up manufacturing capacity suggests transition from R&D to commercialization phase. Implications for brain-computer interface market and regulatory landscape.
Resources Mentioned
- Gemini Predictions — Google's AI predictions
- Brookfield Cloud Initiative — Infrastructure expansion details
- OpenAI ChatGPT Sponsored Ads — Advertising strategy reporting
- Meta Scammer Playbook — Investigation into ad fraud
- Neuralink Production Expansion — Manufacturing scale-up
- Tech Nicotine Distribution — Valley culture piece
- Musk GDP Projections — Economic claims analysis