What does AI actually look like in 2026?

In this special end-of-year Predictions episode of Prompted, Kyle James sits down with Matthew Stein to debate ten concrete predictions for where AI, agents, and go-to-market teams are headed next year.

This is not a hype episode. There are no demos and no buzzwords. Instead, Kyle and Matthew pressure test real second-order effects like:

1. Why AI onboarding will become standard practice
2. How model quality degradation and buyer fatigue collide
3. Why AI shows up directly in GTM job titles
4. What happens when personal context becomes portable
5. Why AI portfolios matter more than resumeas
6. How marketing video creation fundamentally changes
7. Why PageRank-style authority signals may return
8. The rise of zero-party data
9. Whether Anthropic beats OpenAI to an ads platform
10. Why most companies still struggle to show AI ROI

They also close with one wild bonus prediction that could reshape the entire AI landscape.

This episode is designed to spark debate.

Watch the full episode, then head to the comments and tell us:

1. What did we get right?
2. What did we miss?
3. Which prediction do you disagree with most?

This week we are flipping the script a bit and our host is playing the guest to have Kyle James share his Builder Story. Kyle's journey from product management to podcasting is a testament to the power of curiosity and the belief that anyone can become a builder. Discover how his insights can empower you to embrace AI and transform your approach to building.

Kyle shares his unique perspective on the evolving landscape of AI, emphasizing the importance of starting small and iterating along the way. "Every person, every user can become a builder. They just need to understand that they can. This stuff's not hard," he asserts, encouraging listeners to demystify AI and take the leap into creation. Through engaging stories and practical advice, Kyle highlights the role of networking and community in navigating the AI era. His insights remind us that we're still in the early innings of AI, and there's a vast potential waiting to be explored. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, this episode offers valuable lessons to help you learn, think differently, and take the next step in building with agents.

Learn more and connect with Kyle James:

• Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameskm03/
• Read Kyle’s Substack: https://kylejameslearn.substack.com/
• Kyle’s Guest Prep Agent: https://agent.ai/agent/prompted-guest-prep-research
• Kyle’s Post Episode Workflow Agent: https://agent.ai/agent/942s0tehcgr6ic07

Subscribe for more Builder Stories and visit agent.ai to start building your own agents.

Join us for an inspiring episode of Prompted: Builder Stories featuring Ashna Thakkar, a trailblazer in the world of AI agents. Ashna's journey from a non-coder to an AI innovator is a testament to the power of curiosity and determination. Discover how she empowers startups with no-code AI solutions, transforming challenges into opportunities.

In this episode, Ashna shares her path from working in accelerators to becoming a key player building agentic tools, where she builds agents that support startups in branding, financial projections, and more. Her story is a reminder that you don't need to be a coder to innovate with AI. "Start small, start from somewhere and they would figure it out," she advises, highlighting the importance of delivering the first step to users. Ashna's agents are not just prompt hacks; they are research-backed tools that provide startups with clarity and direction. Tune in to learn how you can harness AI to enhance productivity and drive innovation in your startup journey.

Learn more and connect with Ashna Thakkar:

• Connect with Ashna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashnathakkar/
• Follow Ashna’s Profile on Agent.ai: https://agent.ai/human/thakkar_ashna
• BonBillo’s Website: https://www.bonbillo.com/
• Build your Brand DNA Agent: https://agent.ai/profile/BrandDNA
• AEO Advisor Agent: https://agent.ai/profile/aeo-advisor

Subscribe for more Builder Stories and visit agent.ai to start building your own agents.