Transcription
Ladies and gentlemen, your captain is speaking. >> You know this announcement, don't you? Your captain is speaking. Well, why is he speaking? Wouldn't it be better if he flew the plane instead of speaking? No. Because the primary duty of captains, whether of planes, ships, or even spacecraft, is to manage. >> Oh, is this what being a captain is about, man? Come in, sit in the captain's chair, captain. >> To deliver safely from one place to another. When we hear that announcement, we feel relieved. We know that at the helm of those complex panels is a person, an will, an agency, who can safely take us to our destination. But it wasn't always like this. An interesting turning point occurred in 1914. Do you see that man walking on the wing of that plane? That's the American inventor Lawrence Perry. On June 18, 1914, he released the controls of his plane, stood up, and began walking on the wings. Don't worry, neither he nor the plane crashed. It continued to fly in a straight line. Because Spry had invented something called the autopilot. It is at the very beginning of 2026 that we, all of humanity, are at the moment Lawrence Spary stood on that wing. Because this year will be a kind of threshold year. For the first time in our history, we are preparing to hand over the captain's seat. And this time, not just in planes and ships, but in our work, our homes, our energy, and even our own biological bodies. >> Ladies and gentlemen, your captain is speaking. If you're ready, buckle up. We're taking flight towards 2026, full of unknowns. Today, by flying five different routes, we will see the developments likely to occur in 2026. What is expected in the world of artificial intelligence? Will robots finally be able to enter our homes? Will SpaceX be able to send an unmanned rocket to Mars? Or will NASA astronauts be able to send humans to the Moon? It will be a year where we will learn the answers to all of these. Now, straighten your seats, open your perceptions, and don't worry, even if the autopilot is disabled, we are still here. What have we been doing with artificial intelligence for the last few years? We've been chatting. We make it write, code, draw pictures, and try to deceive people. So, it's a kind of co-pilot for us. But in 2026, this relationship might change a bit. The era of chatbots is evolving further. The era of agents is beginning. What is an agent, you might ask. An agent is software that not only talks to you but also takes action on your behalf, that moves. In 2026, we won't say to AI, "List me flight tickets to Tokyo, please." We will say, "I need to go to Japan in mid-June. This is my budget. These are my interests. Adjust my calendar, book my ticket, reserve hotels suitable for me, and even organize airport transfers." And it will use your credit card, browse through sites, and get this done, or fail. In theory, that's how it is. Let's see if it will be possible. Because I am actually planning to organize a long trip to Japan using such tools, and I aim to share all its stages with you in a vlog. Turn on your reminders, or tell your AI agent to set them up. >> Now, we keep talking about AI, AI, but actually, you know this is a very general term, but what we mean by this in recent years are LLMs, large language models. The method of using agents, which is expected to become widespread this year, is called large action models. This year, everyone from Silicon Valley to China will be most focused on this. China, in particular, has set a massive strategy for 2026 called AI Plus, artificial intelligence plus. Just as they managed to connect everything to the internet with the Internet Plus strategy in the past, now they are integrating AI not just into phones, but into energy grids, factories, medical research, and many other things. And in this regard, I will have a prophecy for the year 2026. We will see at least one very large and sudden crash in the financial markets. Because LLMs were already full of uncertainties. Now, the unpredictable interactions of millions of advanced AI agents competing with each other in the era of LLMs can trigger major and unexpected crises not only in the economy but also in a wide range of areas such as cyber defense and trade. You know, leaving them alone doesn't work. Two AI models can even invent a new language while talking to each other. This intelligence revolution in the digital world will begin to manifest in the physical world in 2026. Because unmanned robots, or humanoids, are preparing to enter our homes. Do you remember the robot named Neo from the Norwegian company OneX? I explained it in detail with a video when it was first announced last year. This is not one of those scary robots that look like a pile of metal. It's a robot dressed in sweatpants, meaning softened, and it wants to be your roommate. To handle all your chores. The company's goal is to get thousands of Neos into homes by the end of 2026. Of course, for a small fee, $20,000. Of course, they are not alone in this. There's Tesla's Optimus, China's Unit 3, and other robots from other companies are also in this race. And there's a very interesting problem that engineers are trying to solve here. They call it the blind gymnast problem. We can understand the gymnast part, because today, as we know from Boston Dynamics videos, robots can do backflips, parkour, and dance. They are incredibly athletic. But entering a kitchen and pressing the button on a coffee machine, operating a dishwasher, or holding a soft fruit without crushing it is harder for them than doing a backflip. Because they cannot see and feel the world like we do. In other words, they are blind in a sense. So, 2026 will be a year when artificial intelligence ceases to be just a brain and becomes embodied, that is, embodied intelligence. Robots will no longer learn in simulations but in the messy rooms of real homes. We won't see a C3PO right away, but we will meet the first robots that can successfully make and bring us a cup of coffee. And if they learn to make Turkish coffee, then the job is done. >> Send us 4 teas, but make them strong, understand? Yeah. >> In 2026, humanity's third route will be space. Because an important alignment is happening this year, friends. Between Earth and Mars, these two planets come closest to each other every 26 months. If a vehicle is to be sent to Mars, it is sent when it is at its closest point. Interesting, isn't it? The 26-month cycle is completing precisely in 2026, and the launch window for Mars opens at the end of 2026. SpaceX announced that it plans to send its first unmanned Starship mission to Mars within this window. But as someone who closely follows the test flights, I don't think they will be able to make it. But still, if I know Elon Musk even a little, he will send a spaceship there even knowing it will fail, and even put Tesla Optimus robots inside it. Just like he sent his car before. And that spaceship might reach Mars, but can it land? We will all see that together. Of course, the main space traffic this year will not be on Mars. It will be on the Moon, right next to us. The South Pole of the Moon is currently the most valuable, most targeted region in the solar system. Because it is thought that there is water ice hidden in the depths of those dark craters for billions of years, and many things can be done using that water ice. In 2026, China's Chang'e 7 mission will attempt to land precisely there, near Shackleton Crater. The goal is not just exploration. It is to claim territory to establish a lunar base for the future. At the same time, NASA's Artemis program is entering its second phase. They will attempt to send four astronauts into lunar orbit, and if this happens, they will become the first astronauts to go beyond low Earth orbit since 1972, since the Apollo missions. This flight will also witness some other historical firsts. For the first time, there is a woman on the crew. For the first time, a Black astronaut will be included. This flight may also go down in history as the mission where humans traveled farthest from Earth. They will not land on the Moon during this 10-day mission, but they will orbit it and explore. They will complete preparations for a human landing and aim to land next year. For this, SpaceX's Starship vehicle was chosen. However, the development of the vehicle is progressing a bit slower than expected, with delays, and as I said before, this could change the program slightly. According to documents obtained by some press organizations, it is claimed that the vehicle will not be ready before 2028. Therefore, NASA is a bit concerned about these delays at SpaceX and is considering evaluating landing vehicles from other companies like Blue Origin. So, who will plant their flag permanently on the Moon? Or rather, the answer to the question of whose flag will be planted first will start to become clear in 2026. The human, but not landing, lunar mission planned for this year is targeted for February, March, or April. February is just a month away. They will probably go in March or April. Another unpredictable thing is the climate. Unfortunately, a prediction I made on this subject seems to be coming true much faster than expected. I made that prediction in 2018. I prepared a video called "The Last 12 Years," and at that time, I said the world would warm by 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030. We don't need to wait until 2030 for this. Unfortunately, we will likely exceed the 1.5-degree limit this year. But let's not fall into extreme pessimism. Because there might be a solution to this, and the solution might be not in the sky, but right under our feet, underground. Because in 2026, a geothermal renaissance period is expected in energy. In the Utah desert, a company called Fervo Energy took the controversial fracking technology from the oil industry and adapted it for geothermal energy. Now, there's no need to find hot water sources. We find hot rocks and pump water into them. It is planned that this technology will start providing clean, 24/7 uninterrupted electricity to the grid in 2026. So, this year, we will try to learn to use the heat from the Earth's core like a giant battery. Routes 4 and 5 of our flight are also very interesting, but before that, since we are flying, it's time for some refreshments. For something to make life easier, it first needs to be well-designed. When I looked at how Paribu, the sponsor of this video, renewed its brand identity, I saw this familiar philosophy. Simple design, sophisticated experience. Beyond the logo and emblem, they designed a custom typeface for the brand. They created over 300 icons to improve the user experience. The visual language, inspired by the lines in financial charts, reflects both the brand's past experience and its future vision. The square dots, symbolizing the blockchain structure, are also a nice detail indicating the building blocks of the system. But I think what's really interesting is how Paribu has evolved from just a crypto platform into an ecosystem. They have been pioneering the formation of the crypto ecosystem in Turkey since 2017. You can trade over 200 cryptocurrencies quickly and securely. Since 2020, they have contributed to the access of 32 million people to culture and art with the support of over 30 institutions and organizations. In addition, with Paribu Art, they have expanded into culture and art, and with Paribu Pass, into ticketing. If you want to not only explore the crypto world but also take a close look at a design-oriented technology brand and step into the world of tomorrow, you can examine Paribu's transformation story in detail via the link in the description. Autonomy is pushing boundaries not only in the external world but also within our own bodies. Get ready to see the first superhumans. Because in 2026, an event called the Enhanced Games will be held in Las Vegas. These new Olympics have a very controversial rule: doping is free. Yes, you heard that right. Athletes are allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. Organizers call this scientific freedom. Critics call it murder of health. According to the organizers, the goal is to see how far the limits of the human body can be pushed with science. Therefore, we are rapidly moving towards that gray area where the natural and the artificial begin to mix. And this same gray area exists in weight loss drugs. As you know, the patent periods for drugs like Ozempic are starting to expire, and in 2026, cheaper generic versions are expected to spread worldwide. They are even in pill form now, not injection. There is talk of a growing obesity pandemic in recent years. This might be a miracle for it, but I think its biggest side effect will be the creation of a new culture. A new culture based on effortless change. Yet, our ancestors said, "No pain, no gain." So, let's finally take a look at our route on this culture. In other words, who will tell the story of the world most effectively this year? In 2026, generally, we will start to hear more Spanish in the world's headphones and on screens, friends. Latin American culture is becoming a global phenomenon with its music and series. It had already started to happen, but this year, for example, Bad Bunny will perform on Super, and the increasing dominance of Mexican content on streaming platforms like Netflix is no coincidence. While these things are happening in the West, on the other hand, Asia's soft power continues to grow. This time with China. Because China wants to conquer the world not only with its factories but also with its stories. The success of the game Black Myth Wukong or the fact that toys like Labubu have become viral in the West are the biggest indicators of this. You know, in the past, there was only "made in China" written on the back of such things. Now, it's "created in China" or "designed in China." The era of Chinese design is beginning, we can say. By the way, there is also a change in the drinking and wine culture, especially in the United States. Young people consume less alcohol. But the biggest cultural event of 2026 is not this. It's a video game. A game we've been waiting for for years. GTA 6. After a 13-year wait, I hope it will be released in November. Analysts expect sales of over $3 billion in the first year. This could be the most economically valuable launch in entertainment history. A video game could surpass all of Hollywood's box office records. Therefore, playing games might cease to be a subculture. It could become a mainstream phenomenon, even considered more important than watching movies. In the music world, things are getting a bit stranger, friends. Perhaps inspired by our first route today, a band called The Velvet Sundown emerged. A four-person band, including musicians with handsome names like Orian Delmar or Milor Reigns. Their songs have been listened to millions of times. But the strangeness here is this: none of them are real. They were created entirely by artificial intelligence. And one-third of Americans see no problem with this. The production cost is close to zero. The streaming revenue is quite real. Therefore, this could also turn into a trend, and in 2026, we might start listening to non-existent artists more frequently. Of course, real artists are not standing still either. The 7 members of BTS have completed their military service and have been discharged. They are returning in 2026 with a new album and a world tour. Although I don't listen to it very often, K-pop has become more than just a music genre; it has truly become a global force, a cultural soft power. We have to accept this. I wish we could say the same for podcasts, at least in Turkey. Because podcasts are no longer niche worldwide. They have entered the mainstream. The Golden Globe Awards are adding a podcast category for the first time in 2026. Especially in America, young people listen to podcasts more than traditional television, and podcasts are no longer just audio; they are also turning into video. Worldwide, 1 billion people consume podcasts on YouTube alone every month. So, the line between sound and image is becoming increasingly blurred. There is an interesting format search happening between the two. I've also thought a lot about this search. On this occasion, I would like to announce that I will start making a video version of my audio podcast, 111 Hz, which I started in 2021 and have produced 217 episodes of, starting from 2026. There are some things that are a bit different from here. We focus on psychology, philosophy, personal development, history, and social issues. It's an area where we sometimes delve into motivational, sometimes questioning, and sometimes just the states of being human, sharing our thoughts and concerns. As I said, it will continue in 2026, both in audio and video. The world is changing. People are trying to adapt to it. But in 2026, not everyone is changing like that. For example, Hollywood is probably one of the slowest places to move in terms of change. They are still making remakes on their familiar path. It will be like that this year too. Disney will release a live-action version of Moana this year instead of animation. There's a director named Greta Gerwig. She made Barbie. Now she's directing Narnia. The Mummy is being remade. This time as a real horror film, and preparations have begun for a new James Bond. Moreover, this time, our beloved director Denis Villeneuve will be in the director's chair. So, you might ask, why are they constantly making remakes or sequels? Have they run out of new ideas in storytelling? Are they just reheating old ones and serving them to us? I don't know. I don't think so. Maybe we can call it taking the easy way out, or reinterpreting the old might be a form of creativity. There is very little information about one of the films I am most looking forward to. I am eagerly awaiting it. It will be Spielberg's film about UFOs, releasing on June 12. That is, just before I go to Japan. I hope I can watch it as soon as it comes out. Now, to summarize, the year 2026 will be a year where we will make big decisions about whether to let go of the steering wheel or not. As our AI agents do all our work, what will we do with the time we gain? As robots sweep and clean our homes, make and serve our coffee, will we let our creativity atrophy, or will we engage in new arts? When Lawrence Perry invented the autopilot, his intention was not to throw the pilot off the wing and destroy him. It was to relieve the pilot's fatigue and ensure the plane flew more safely. If you ask me what is the common point of all these developments and technologies we have listed that will emerge in 2026, I think the biggest common denominator is their autonomy. AI agents, unmanned robots, or even geothermal energy, biological enhancements, and the new generation spacecraft we send into space all operate to a large extent autonomously. They all have an autopilot. I hope that with the comfort, convenience, and effortlessness this provides, we will not try to entrust the route to them. Because the decision of where this vehicle will go still requires a real captain, meaning a human, meaning a will, an agency. In 2026, the world will continue to turn. And at a much faster pace than our perception. The important thing is not to be swept away by this speed, but to catch the rhythm of the rotation.