Nature Look Ahead 2026: AI, Gene Editing, Cancer Detection, Space Missions, and Physics Upgrades

Overview

This episode of Nature's 2026 Look Ahead surveys major science stories across AI, gene editing, cancer detection, space exploration, physics upgrades, and policy impacts shaping science funding and regulation. Hosts Nick Partridge Howe and Miriam Nadaf discuss how AI may evolve beyond large language models toward compact, specialized systems, the promise of personalized gene editing for children with rare disorders, and the potential rollout of a UK cancer-detection blood test. The discussion also previews Japan and ESA space missions, and the Large Hadron Collider upgrade, while considering how political shifts in the US could affect research priorities.

AI and the next generation of intelligent systems

The episode opens with a nuanced forecast for artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI is here to stay but will look different this year. Miriam Nadaf explains that the focus will shift from training giant large language models to developing compact, data-efficient AI systems that excel at solving specific reasoning challenges. This shift could reduce costs, lower risks of hallucinations, and improve reliability in specialized domains, marking a move toward model architectures that are purpose-built rather than generalist. "AI is here to stay, but things will look a little bit different this year." - Miriam Nadaf

The conversation frames AI as an enduring driver of science and healthcare innovation, with potential implications for research workflows, clinical decision support, and government funding priorities. The section underscores anticipation of a broader ecosystem where AI augments human expertise rather than replacing it, and where rigorous evaluation and domain-focused design become central to trust and adoption.