2026: The year the AI bubble bursts?

If 2025 was the year of the AI agent, what will 2026 be? Which companies will make headlines — for all the right, or all the wrong, reasons? And will optimism around Europe’s startup ecosystem continue to mount, or will geopolitical tensions throw spanners in the works? On this episode of the Sifted Podcast, news editor Martin Coulter joins editor Amy Lewin to discuss what they think will be the big topics this year in European startups and VC — and what you, our dear listeners, should be watching out for. They cover: If — or when — the AI bubble will burst Which shiny sectors will attract a lot of venture funding What the year might hold for ‘sovereign’ tech startups Which tech billionaire might run for president (in Europe) What developments are likely to be in store for the VC industry This episode was produced by Maya Dharampal-Hornby. Further reading: A spacetech IPO, a robot decacorn and a (European) entrepreneur running for president: Sifted’s predictions for European tech in 2026 Sign up to Sifted’s Daily newsletter

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2026: The year the AI bubble bursts? is an episode from Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast by Sifted.

This episode is 34:13 long.

This episode was published on Jan 8, 2026.

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