Let’s Talk About the Future in 2026 with Kevin Kelly

Technological evolution and the future of human progress hinge on a deliberate choice of optimism and the pursuit of frontiers where language has yet to define the work. Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired, argues that the global landscape is shifting toward a US-China duopoly, necessitating a competitive rather than adversarial relationship. While AI currently dominates discourse, its true potential lies in developing "world models" that enable physical robotics and specialized intelligence, rather than just large language models. Progress is a slow, compounding process of small, positive gains that often go unnoticed against the backdrop of immediate, negative events. Embracing "pronoia"—the belief that the world conspires to help—allows individuals to navigate these technological shifts effectively. Ultimately, the most significant breakthroughs occur in domains so new they lack established terminology, requiring practitioners to build through direct experience rather than abstract speculation.