Subvolts take Understand AI's 2026 trajectory and policy debates with expert guests. Dec 19, 2025 - Developers
- Learn about policy discussions and future AI trends that may impact your work.
- Business
- Understand emerging AI policy and its potential effects on the market and jobs.
This episode features a timely discussion with policy experts and forecasters on AI's near-term future and regulatory landscape.
AI 2025 → 2026 Live Show | Part 2
Audio streams from Erik Torenberg, Nathan Labenz. Your place is remembered on this device.
From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
This 100-minute podcast episode, "AI 2025 \u2192 2026 Live Show | Part 2" on The Cognitive Revolution, features Nathan Labenz hosting rapid-fire conversations. Guests Alex Boris and Dean Ball discuss AI policy, including the RAISE Act and federal preemption. Peter Wildeford offers an outlook on AI agents, costs, and robotics for 2026.
This show talks about what AI might do next year and the rules people are making for it. It covers how AI could change jobs and what companies are doing to build safer AI.
This episode offers insights into AI policy, emerging coalitions, and future AI trends like agents and robotics. It is for AI builders, policymakers, and anyone interested in the practical implications of AI development. The discussions on alignment, governance, and policy connect directly to the ongoing work and public discourse surrounding major AI labs like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic as they navigate regulatory landscapes and technological advancements.
- HostNathan Labenz
- GuestAlex BorisNew York Assemblymember
- GuestDean BallFormer White House AI adviser
- GuestPeter WildefordForecaster
- Episode Title: AI 2025 → 2026 Live Show | Part 2
- Show: The Cognitive Revolution
- Length: 100 minutes
- Guest Topic 1: RAISE Act and AI risk mitigation
- Guest Topic 2: AI coalitions, federal preemption, and coding agents
- Guest Topic 3: 2026 outlook on agents, costs, and robotics
This year-end live show features nine rapid-fire conversations to make sense of AI’s 2025 and what might define 2026. PSA for AI builders: Interested in alignment, governance, or AI safety? Learn more about the MATS Summer 2026 Fellowship and submit your name to be notified when applications open: https://matsprogram.org/s26-tcr. New York Assemblymember Alex Boris breaks down the RAISE Act's bid to curb catastrophic AI risks, the governor negotiations, and why a16z-backed ads are targeting him. Former White House AI adviser Dean Ball maps the emerging coalitions on AI, federal preemption, and what fast-improving coding agents could mean for policy and jobs. Forecaster Peter Wildeford debates selling vs "renting" chips to China and offers a 2026 outlook on agents, costs, and robotics. Recorded live as part of our AI 2025→2026 series (Part 2).
Sponsors:
Gemini 3 in Google AI Studio:
Gemini 3 in Google AI Studio lets you build fully functional apps from a simple description—no coding required. Start vibe coding your idea today at https://ai.studio/build
MATS:
MATS is a fully funded 12-week research program pairing rising talent with top mentors in AI alignment, interpretability, security, and governance. Apply for the next cohort at https://matsprogram.org/s26-tcr
Framer:
Framer is the all-in-one tool to design, iterate, and publish stunning websites with powerful AI features. Start creating for free and use code COGNITIVE to get one free month of Framer Pro at https://framer.com/design
Shopify:
Shopify powers millions of businesses worldwide, handling 10% of U.S. e-commerce. With hundreds of templates, AI tools for product descriptions, and seamless marketing campaign creation, it's like having a design studio and marketing team in one. Start your $1/month trial today at https://shopify.com/cognitive
Tasklet:
Tasklet is an AI agent that automates your work 24/7; just describe what you want in plain English and it gets the job done. Try it for free and use code COGREV for 50% off your first month at https://tasklet.ai
CHAPTERS:
(00:00) Sponsor: Gemini 3 in Google AI Studio
(00:31) RAISE Act status
(04:52) Catastrophic risk focus
(10:47) Super PAC backlash
(16:17) Data centers and grid
(19:47) Palantir and surveillance
(23:42) Dean Ball joins (Part 1)
(23:46) Sponsors: MATS | Framer
(27:05) Dean Ball joins (Part 2)
(32:00) Social media lessons
(36:22) Trump preemption and chips (Part 1)
(40:51) Sponsors: Shopify | Tasklet
(43:59) Trump preemption and chips (Part 2)
(44:50) Structural US-China decoupling
(49:39) Peter on chip ban
(55:43) Threat model and renting
(01:02:55) Cost drops, revenue
(01:16:03) Forecasting paradigm shifts
(01:20:38) 2026 agents and robots
(01:31:41) Show wrap and markets
(01:42:28) Outro
PRODUCED BY:
- alignment
- AI researchers
- making AI do what humans intend
- federal preemption
- legal experts
- when federal law overrides state law
- coding agents
- AI developers
- AI that can write computer code
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Questions people ask
- What is the RAISE Act?
- The RAISE Act is a legislative effort aimed at curbing catastrophic AI risks, with New York Assemblymember Alex Boris discussing its progress and negotiations.
- What is the MATS Summer 2026 Fellowship?
- MATS offers a funded 12-week research program for rising talent in AI alignment, interpretability, security, and governance. Applications for the summer 2026 cohort will open soon.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Erik Torenberg, Nathan Labenz.