In the first episode of 2026, our usual team of soothsayers David Williamson, Frances Haque and Iain Wright review the events of the past 12 months, and look ahead to what we might expect in the coming year.

Will 2026 be more of the same, or will there be some reasons to be cheerful? Could the AI bubble burst, or will it just deflate? And did our panel get anything right last year?

Transcript

Read the full transcript of this episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/a-world-cup-bump-an-ai-slump-2026-predictions/transcript

Links

ICAEW: The 2025 predictions episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/accountancy-insights/trump-tariffs-and-eu-turmoil-2025-predictions

ICAEW: UK Business Confidence Monitor - https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor

‘The AI bubble will burst’ - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0m7h23s

Host

Philippa Lamb

Guests

• Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
• David Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday Express
• Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK

Producer

Natalie Chisholm

Episode first published: 31 December 2025
Podcast recorded: 15 December 2025