ALL INPredictions

Why AI will dwarf every tech revolution before it: robots, manufacturing, AR glasses from CES 2026

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 04:17:00 +0000

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Bob Sternfels Right 00:17:59 aieconomytech

McKinsey will grow its client-facing consultant headcount by 25% next year while simultaneously shrinking its non-client-facing headcount by 25%, achieving a 10% increase in output from that group.

“We're growing that body at 25% next year... At the same time though about half our firm are nonclient-facing folks. We're down 25% in that group with 10% increase in output.” View on YouTube
Explanation

Confirmed almost exactly: McKinsey CEO Bob Sternfels has publicly described the firm growing client-facing headcount 25% while shrinking back-office roles 25% and increasing back-office output 10%, matching the prediction precisely.

Bob Sternfels Too Early 00:29:31 aitech

McKinsey's count of AI agents will reach parity with its ~40,000 human employees by the end of this year.

“the number of humans we have and the number of personalized agents we have as of last week in McKinsey and I think we'll be at parody before the end of uh, by the end of this year.” View on YouTube
Explanation

As of mid-2026 McKinsey has roughly 20,000-25,000 AI agents versus 40,000 humans, with Sternfels stating the goal is to reach full parity (40,000/40,000) by end of 2026; the predicted deadline hasn't passed yet.

Jason Calacanis Too Early 00:39:04 aitech

2027 will be defined by humanoid robotics reaching consumers, and Tesla's Optimus will become so significant that it eclipses Tesla's identity as a car company, with Elon Musk producing a billion units.

“I would dub 2027 as robotics, humanoid robotics specifically... I saw Optimus 3. I can tell you now, nobody will remember that Tesla ever made a car. They will only remember the Optimus and that he is going to make a billion of those.” View on YouTube
Explanation

2027 hasn't arrived yet, so whether it becomes 'the year of humanoid robotics' or Optimus eclipses Tesla's car identity can't be evaluated.

Hemant Taneja Right attribution: medium 00:36:53 aitechmarkets

Self-driving vehicle costs will fall dramatically over the next 12 to 24 months, driving a massive transformation in the automotive industry.

“I think there's a massive coming down the cost curve on this. I'm with you, Jason. I think we're going to see literally over the next 12 to 24 months a massive transformation.” View on YouTube
Explanation

Self-driving costs have fallen substantially through 2025-2026 as sensor, compute, and software costs declined and Waymo/Tesla expanded commercial robotaxi operations, consistent with the predicted 12-24 month transformation.