Here is the state of AI in 2026:

• AI is an important technology. It really can do things that were previously impossible.
• However the vast majority of AI today is useless. A waste of time, money, and resources.
• AI will eventually become useful, but it will take much longer than you think. Just like the Industrial Revolution couldn't have happened without the social changes of the Enlightenment, it may take decades of social change before an AI revolution really happens.
• AI is unable to replace people. AI might make us more productive (and cause job losses), but AI does not work autonomously. Only people can make a decisions; AI cannot because it takes no responsibility for its actions.
• AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) could change the above, but is not imminent. Perhaps we'll not see an AGI this century. Someone will surely claim to have an AGI soonish, but it will be a dud and our collective response will be "yeah, nah".

I doubt this will change much in the next year. Let's reconvene in 2027 and see if I was right or wrong.