AI in 2026: What Actually Changes Next?
In the DevReady Podcast episode (also the finale of 12 Days of AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... Christmas collab between Aerion Technologies and Friyay), Anthony Sapountzis and Gareth Rydon, Co-Founder of Friyay.ai step back from quick wins and talk about the bigger AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... patterns they’ve seen through 2025 and what they believe will define 2026.
Gemini and the platform shift
Gareth predicts a growing pull toward Google and Gemini, with device-level integration potentially nudging more people toward Android over time. The conversation frames this not as “which model is smartest this week,” but as a distribution game: whichever ecosystem embeds AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... most naturally into daily workflows wins mindshare.
AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... ads will get weird fast
One of the most important predictions is about advertising. Instead of obvious placements, Anthony and Gareth discuss how ads may become woven into generated content—highly personalised, context-aware, and difficult to spot. That opens up a whole ethics conversation: disclosure, trust, and how users even know when they’re being marketed to.
Sovereign AI: from headlines to action
The episode also touches on the rising global emphasis on sovereign AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through..., and how big players are treating AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... investment like an era-defining technology push. For Australia, the implication is clear: this isn’t just hype cycles—there’s a strategic layer that will shape regulation, infrastructure, and capability building.
The “iceberg” moment for business adoption
Anthony and Gareth describe 2023–2024 as the “playing around” phase, 2025 as AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... becoming mainstream in business, and 2026 as the year deeper adoption produces outcomes we haven’t fully imagined yet. Training demand increased in 2025, but they argue that was still just the tip of the iceberg.
Consolidation is coming
A practical prediction: businesses will simplify. Instead of chasing dozens of niche tools, many organisations will realise they can do the majority of what they need with a solid team/enterprise plan for a core model platform (ChatGPT/Claude/Gemini) plus proper training and good internal usage patterns.
AI slop, spam, and the return of human craft
As automation makes it easier to mass-produce content and outreach, they expect AI-driven spam to accelerate—especially in channels like LinkedIn DMs and low-effort video formats. But the countertrend is just as important: audiences will increasingly value human connection, real creativity, and work that shows genuine craft and thought.
Thought leaders win; headline chasers fade
A recurring frustration in the episode is the rise of “AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... influencer” content that simply repeats headlines without depth. Anthony and Gareth argue that the people who do well in 2026 will be those who read, test, reflect, and share real analysis—because audiences can increasingly tell who actually understands what they’re talking about.
Final word
The episode ends with an honest take: it’s getting harder to keep up because there’s more noise, more narratives, and more extremes in how AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... news is framed. But that’s exactly why thoughtful interpretation, practical experimentation, and clear guidance will matter more next year.
Topics Covered
- Google/Gemini momentum and potential device/platform shifts
- AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... ads “woven into content” + ethics and disclosure
- Sovereign AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... and national investment narratives
- Adoption curve: experimentation → mainstream → deeper 2026 transformation (“iceberg”)
- Rapid model iteration and leapfrogging
- Tool consolidation: doing “most of it” with team/enterprise accounts + training
- Productivity suite advantage (Google Workspace vs Microsoft) and context
- AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... slop/spam, audience fatigue, and the premium on human craft/connection
- Thought leadership vs headline regurgitation; value of real analysis
- Cutting through noise, bubbles, and contradictory narratives in AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... news
Important Time Stamps
- Google & Gemini will rocket ahead. (1:27 – 1:46)
- AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... ads are coming and they’ll be invisible. (1:47 – 2:11)
- Sovereign AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... becomes real policy. (2:12 – 4:11)
- We’re entering the “iceberg era”. (4:12 – 5:30)
- Consolidation is coming. (5:31 – 7:26)
- Microsoft needs to get their act together. (7:27 – 9:01)
- Context is what makes the difference. (9:02 – 11:26)
- The AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... slip will only increase. (9:02 – 9:35)
- Australia’s first AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... celebrity. (9:36 – 11:26)
- Human craft and real expertise will matter more. (11:27 – 16:40)
Key Takeaways
- AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... in 2026 will be won by ecosystems, not individual tools.
- Most businesses are still only using the tip of the AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... iceberg.
- Embedded AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... ads will raise new ethical and trust challenges.
- Tool consolidation is coming — fewer platforms, better usage.
- AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... spam will increase, making human craft and originality more valuable.
- Productivity suites will decide the real AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... winners.
- Depth, training, and context will matter more than chasing hype.
Guest Highlight: Gareth Rydon
Gareth Rydon is the Co-Founder of Friyay.ai, Australia’s first generative AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... studio. He works with forward-thinking businesses to design and implement AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... solutions that are practical, human-centred, and integrated into real workflows.
With a background spanning strategy consulting, human-centred design, and AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... solution development, Gareth focuses on helping teams move beyond experimentation and into meaningful adoption. He is particularly known for his work in AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... training, change management, and helping organisations build confidence using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Gareth is also a regular speaker and educator on the future of work and AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through..., with a strong emphasis on ethics, creativity, and sustainable adoption. His perspective bridges technical possibility with real-world business impact by making complex AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... concepts accessible and actionable for Australian organisations.
Useful links
FAQs
What are the biggest AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... trends to watch in 2026?
This episode highlights Gemini’s momentum, the rise of embedded AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... advertising, sovereign AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... priorities, tool consolidation, and a growing premium on human-crafted content as AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... spam increases.
Why do Anthony and Gareth think Google/Gemini could win in 2026?
They point to ecosystem and distribution advantages—Gemini is embedded into devices and productivity environments—making adoption frictionless for everyday users and businesses.
How will AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... advertising change in 2026?
They predict ads will be increasingly “in-content” and personalised—woven into AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... outputs—making it harder to tell when you’re being marketed to and raising ethical concerns.
What is “sovereign AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through...” and why does it matter for Australia?
They discuss sovereign AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... as a strategic capability—moving from vague press language toward real national focus—especially as major countries treat AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... investment like a defining technological race.
Do businesses really need lots of AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... tools?
Their view is that most organisations can cover the bulk of needs with a solid ChatGPT/Claude/Gemini team or enterprise account, plus training, rather than stacking dozens of niche products.
What is “AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... slop” and what’s the response to it?
They describe AIArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a very large and broad spectrum of technologies which most people would be familiar with through... slop as the flood of low-effort automated content and outreach. The response is a renewed premium on human connection, craft, and creators who do real thinking and analysis.
