Robots, AI Ethics, and the End of Thinking: Top Researcher on The State of AI in 2026
Mon Feb 02 2026
What does the future of AI really look like as we head toward 2026, beyond the hype, headlines, and fear-driven narratives?
On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by internationally recognized advisor, speaker, and researcher on AI strategy, Walter Pasquarelli.
Walter is one of the world’s leading voices on ethical and strategic AI. He has advised governments, global institutions, and leading technology companies on AI governance, policy, and readiness, and brings a grounded perspective on what it really takes to lead in the age of artificial intelligence.
Walter joins Geoff to unpack what’s actually happening with artificial intelligence and what most media coverage gets wrong. He brings a 360-degree view of AI adoption and how AI is moving out of boardrooms and into everyday life, reshaping how people think, decide, work, and relate to technology.
This conversation dives into:
Why AI adoption is accelerating among consumers not just enterprises
The rise of AI companions, humanoid robots, and everyday AI use
The real risks behind automation anxiety, data privacy, and emotional dependency
What “AI psychosis” is and why it’s a growing concern
Why AI literacy matters more than fear, hype, or blind regulation
How AI is reshaping work, leadership, and global competitiveness
In this video:
00:00 Intro
01:14 AI’s trajectory toward 2026
02:09 AI moves from boardrooms to living rooms
03:16 Humanoid robots: From screens to physical bodies
05:35 Household robots, prestige, and consumer adoption
07:33 Military, drones, and high-stakes AI applications
08:46 Self-driving cars as robotics, not just vehicles
13:49 Automation anxiety and ethical reality
18:30 Shifting authority from humans to algorithms
19:58 Power concentration and data privacy risks
22:49 AI, mental health, and emotional dependency
28:11 Why regulation alone will always lag
33:25 Business leaders’ biggest AI misconceptions
36:49 Data, talent, and capability gaps
42:18 Estonia, strategy, and digital leadership
44:42 Advising governments: What leaders must do
49:49 AI, sector disruption, and the future of work
53:22 Why top performers benefit most from AI
56:14 Judgment, curation, and human excellence
Connect with Walter:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-m-pasquarelli/?originalSubdomain=uk
X: https://x.com/waltpasquarelli
Our links:
Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast
Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG
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What does the future of AI really look like as we head toward 2026, beyond the hype, headlines, and fear-driven narratives? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by internationally recognized advisor, speaker, and researcher on AI strategy, Walter Pasquarelli. Walter is one of the world’s leading voices on ethical and strategic AI. He has advised governments, global institutions, and leading technology companies on AI governance, policy, and readiness, and brings a grounded perspective on what it really takes to lead in the age of artificial intelligence. Walter joins Geoff to unpack what’s actually happening with artificial intelligence and what most media coverage gets wrong. He brings a 360-degree view of AI adoption and how AI is moving out of boardrooms and into everyday life, reshaping how people think, decide, work, and relate to technology. This conversation dives into: Why AI adoption is accelerating among consumers not just enterprises The rise of AI companions, humanoid robots, and everyday AI use The real risks behind automation anxiety, data privacy, and emotional dependency What “AI psychosis” is and why it’s a growing concern Why AI literacy matters more than fear, hype, or blind regulation How AI is reshaping work, leadership, and global competitiveness In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:14 AI’s trajectory toward 2026 02:09 AI moves from boardrooms to living rooms 03:16 Humanoid robots: From screens to physical bodies 05:35 Household robots, prestige, and consumer adoption 07:33 Military, drones, and high-stakes AI applications 08:46 Self-driving cars as robotics, not just vehicles 13:49 Automation anxiety and ethical reality 18:30 Shifting authority from humans to algorithms 19:58 Power concentration and data privacy risks 22:49 AI, mental health, and emotional dependency 28:11 Why regulation alone will always lag 33:25 Business leaders’ biggest AI misconceptions 36:49 Data, talent, and capability gaps 42:18 Estonia, strategy, and digital leadership 44:42 Advising governments: What leaders must do 49:49 AI, sector disruption, and the future of work 53:22 Why top performers benefit most from AI 56:14 Judgment, curation, and human excellence Connect with Walter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-m-pasquarelli/?originalSubdomain=uk X: https://x.com/waltpasquarelli Our links: Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG