Brace yourselves, because 2026 is shaping up to be a year of seismic shifts in science! From groundbreaking advancements to controversial policy impacts, the next 12 months promise to be anything but ordinary. But here's where it gets really intriguing: could smaller, more refined AI models actually outperform their larger counterparts in reasoning tasks? And this is the part most people miss—how will the Trump administration's continued influence on science policy ripple through research and innovation? In this episode of the Nature Podcast, science writer Miryam Naddaf joins us to dissect the year ahead. We’ll explore the rise of compact AI models that might just revolutionize how we think about artificial intelligence, delve into clinical trials using gene editing to tackle rare genetic disorders, and follow a daring mission to collect samples from Phobos, one of Mars’ moons. But it’s not all about breakthroughs—we’ll also examine the contentious effects of U.S. policy changes on the scientific community. Is this the year AI finally proves its worth beyond hype, or will it stumble under scrutiny? And what does the future hold for gene editing as it moves from saving individual lives to potentially transforming healthcare on a global scale? These are the questions that will dominate scientific discourse in 2026. Don’t miss out on this essential conversation—subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or your favorite podcast app. Plus, stay ahead of the curve with Nature Briefing, your daily dose of science news, opinion, and analysis delivered straight to your inbox. What’s your take? Are we on the brink of a scientific renaissance, or are we overlooking potential pitfalls? Let us know in the comments below!
