Former Cisco CEO John Chambers predicts a great year for AI in 2026, highlighting underestimated productivity growth. He dismisses AI bubble talk, emphasizing its early stage as a decade-long phenomenon. Chambers sees AI’s wide utility across industries like retail, automotive, healthcare, and government, with Walmart and Ford utilizing AI in supply chains.

Chambers’ 25-year tenure at Cisco saw annual sales grow from $1.2 billion to $50 billion, briefly making it the most valuable company in the late 1990s. Now, as CEO of JC2 Ventures, he focuses on helping startups scale. Chambers warns of market pain for companies without a clear AI strategy, predicting challenges for financing.

Chambers expresses optimism for AI but warns of potential stumbles for industry giants and smaller startups. He predicts “train wrecks” for companies lacking a cohesive AI strategy. Accessing capital will be a survival test, with Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, and AMD highlighted as key players in the AI boom.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Ex-Cisco CEO says 2026 will be a ‘great year for AI’