Episode summary
Scott Galloway’s Predictions for 2026 | Prof G Markets
Prof G Markets
· · 55 min · Hosts: Ed Elson, Scott Galloway
Summary
Scott Galloway used his 2026 predictions to argue that AI enthusiasm is setting up a correction, not a straight-line boom. He expects AI stocks to come under pressure as cheaper Chinese open-weight models close the performance gap, and he says the data center buildout is overstated because announced projects are far ahead of actual construction and grid power is a bottleneck. He also argues the AI economy may need a bailout in 2026, framed as government loan guarantees to keep capital flowing.
He is more constructive on select platforms and application-layer winners. Amazon is his big tech stock pick because he thinks robotics, logistics automation, and margins in retail can improve materially, while Waymo is his clearest autonomous leader and Uber a likely beneficiary as a distribution layer. He also thinks space will be the next hot sector, with SpaceX-style infrastructure, connectivity, and defense attracting capital.
On the consumer and media side, he predicts short-form video and AI will keep taking share from Hollywood, synthetic relationships will grow but need age limits, and prediction markets will become a major vice while also inviting manipulation. He ends by rejecting the “college is dead” narrative, saying enrollments are still rising and the earnings and social benefits of college remain substantial.
Key takeaways
- Scott Galloway expects AI stocks to correct in 2026 as Chinese open-weight models get cheaper and close the performance gap.
- He argues the data center boom is overstated because construction lags announcements and grid constraints could raise electricity costs.
- Galloway’s big tech stock pick is Amazon, which he thinks can expand retail margins through robotics and automation.
- He says Waymo is clearly ahead in autonomy and believes Uber can win as the distribution layer for self-driving rides.
- He predicts space will be the next major capital magnet, with launch, connectivity, and defense creating new unicorns.
- He rejects the idea that college is “dead,” citing stronger earnings, lower divorce, and lower suicide rates for graduates.
Notable quotes
“I feel like a lot of this is signaling as opposed to actual construction”
“I think that the next kind of big technology that results and a massive increase in attention capital and companies you never heard of becoming unicorns is um this space”
“take more risks outside of the house and take less risks on your screen”
How the episode opens
Today's number 187 million. That's how many minutes our fans spent listening to Property Markets in 2025 on Spotify alone. That's equivalent to 356 years in celebration.
Ed, tonight I'm going to watch Jaws with my son. Uh we're going to do it a bit different though. We're going to watch it backwards.
And it's actually when you watch it backwards, a heartwarming story of a shark who helps people work through their disabilities. All the podcast jokes are kind of lame. It's like It's like going to therapy and your therapists are people who haven't matured since 2011.
Oh, you like that one better. — Yeah, I like that one better. — I like that. — Congratulations, Ed. You're not only 30 under 30, but we're wasting people's time. We're — Pretty good. Pretty pretty good numbers. Should we do a crime podcast where we where we describe where we describe hideous murders as like skincare routine?
We'd be more successful. True crime podcast absolutely crush, which I do not understand. I've never found a true crime podcast interesting in the least. — How Well, let's bring in Claire. How does any woman ever be around any man or live in an apartment building or stay in her car when she parks after listening to crime podcasts? It's basically all the same thing. There's a stranger in town who's introduced early in the podcast who commits a terrible murder against a woman. They're all the same.
Claire, — You want my take on true crime? Do you listen to crime? I don't listen to them either. — You don't listen to them? — No. No. — Okay. — I don't I don't listen to a lot of podcasts. Scott, I don't have a lot of time to listen to anything other than
You're supposed to give us a nuance take on how women — On how women feel — On how women feel.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- ai stocks
- data center bubble
- big tech stock picks
- space industry
- vice of the year predictions
Companies and tickers mentioned
- NVDA
- AMZN
- Nvidia
- OpenAI
- Amazon
- TikTok
- Waymo
Watch the episode
Watch “Scott Galloway’s Predictions for 2026 | Prof G Markets” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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