Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Right around this time last year, I wrote an article about what artificial intelligence (AI) said would be in / out in business and pop culture for 2025. I did it for a few reasons. First, I wanted to experiment with using AI. Two, in / out lists were fairly popular. And lastly, because I wanted to see how accurate AI could be.
I pulled out the 2025 list the other day and thought it might be interesting to do a little (and completely unscientific) debrief. On the pop culture front, I think AI did a decent job in predicting that dopamine-boosting hobbies and gaming culture would be in. Not sure I saw much about adult summer camps, which is too bad because I think I would have loved going to one.
On the out list, I didn’t see too much in the way of bubble dresses and standalone mustaches, so maybe AI got that right. However, I still see plenty of people feeding their sourdough starter so it’s possible that trend isn’t completely over yet. All in all, I’d probably give AI a C grade for getting their pop culture predictions half right.
I’m not taking that as a bad thing. Predictions are tough. Plus, when we make predictions in real life, we learn from our mistakes and try again with the goal of getting better next time. In theory, artificial intelligence should be able to do the same thing. That’s what everyone tells us – AI is continuously learning. So, let’s do the experiment again, using the exact same question as last year.
I did make one exception with this year’s experiment. Last year, I asked ChatGPT for predictions. This year, I’m asking ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
What’s IN for pop culture in 2026?
ChatGPT: hybrid experiences, 2000s nostalgia and retro aesthetics, maximalism, Afrofuturism, and participatory fandoms.
Google Gemini: glitchy glam, proof of humanity, solo travel, slob chic, and disconnecting as a luxury.
What’s going to be OUT in pop culture for 2026?
ChatGPT: outdated denim, delicate accessories, TikTok virality, celebrity culture, and memes.
Google Gemini: sad beige, digital face “smoothing”, safe sans-serif logos and fonts, traditional movie soundtracks, and anti-aging.
My first reaction? It’s very interesting to see the hybrid theme. We don’t have to choose between in-person and virtual. Why not have both? I also thought the trend of looking human and showing your wrinkles and scars was both interesting … and welcoming. Lastly, the trends towards quirky, flashy, and maximalism were fascinating. It will be interesting to see if people embrace it.
While Google Gemini and ChatGPT have some similar predictions, they do also have some different ones. This supports the idea that not all AI tools are the same. So, whether you’re using AI for fun little experiments like this or for a business purpose, it’s important to know how your AI tools learn.
Speaking of business, I didn’t forget that I did this experiment from a business perspective as well. We’ll do a debrief on those predictions soon. I promise.
Bottom-line: This was a fun experiment and a good learning experience. Even if you’re not using AI at work, continue to learn about it and test it out. Develop an opinion about it. Artificial intelligence isn’t going away.
Image captured by Sharlyn Lauby while exploring the Wynwood Art District in Miami, FL
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