Accountancy Insights
In this podcast series from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), a panel of guests dissect the latest headlines and provide expert analysis on the top stories from across the world of business, finance and accountancy
Accountancy Insights
Behind the Numbers: A World Cup bump, an AI slump? 2026 predictions
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In the first episode of 2026, our usual team of soothsayers David Williamson, Frances Haque and Iain Wright review the events of the past 12 months, and look ahead to what we might expect in the coming year.
Will 2026 be more of the same, or will there be some reasons to be cheerful? Could the AI bubble burst, or will it just deflate? And did our panel get anything right last year?
Transcript
Read the full transcript of this episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/behind-the-numbers/a-world-cup-bump-an-ai-slump-2026-predictions/transcript
Links
ICAEW: The 2025 predictions episode - https://www.icaew.com/insights/podcast/accountancy-insights/trump-tariffs-and-eu-turmoil-2025-predictions
ICAEW: UK Business Confidence Monitor - https://www.icaew.com/technical/economy/business-confidence-monitor
‘The AI bubble will burst’ - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0m7h23s
Host
Philippa Lamb
Guests
- Iain Wright, Managing Director, Reputation and Influence, ICAEW
- David Williamson, Political Editor, Sunday Express
- Frances Haque, Chief Economist, Santander UK
Producer
Natalie Chisholm
Episode first published: 31 December 2025
Podcast recorded: 15 December 2025