What's Next with Philip Meissner

Philip Meissner

What’s Next brings together builders, thinkers and leaders whose work matters. From Berlin to Bangalore, Lagos to San Francisco, the podcast explores how technology and thought leadership change how we  work, govern, and build.​ ​ Each episode focuses on one idea that matters. Clear enough to explain over dinner, solid enough to stand up in the boardroom. Global perspectives, sharp thinking, and insights designed to improve decision quality.​ ​ What’s next. Building the Future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Ian Bremmer: How Algorithms Reshape Global Power

    FEB 10

    Ian Bremmer: How Algorithms Reshape Global Power

    Power no longer starts with governments. It starts with algorithms. In this episode, Ian Bremmer, founder and president of Eurasia Group, explains how power in the 21st century is shifting away from states and toward the companies and systems that program human behavior. Drawing on decades of advising world leaders and CEOs, Bremmer argues this change is unprecedented in speed, scale, and impact on humanity. You’ll learn: Why tech companies now hold power once reserved for governmentsHow algorithms shape identity, behavior, and social orderWhat this shift means for global stability and leadershipThe biggest mistake leaders are making in today’s power transition If you want to understand who really controls power today — and where it’s headed next — this conversation is essential. Timestamps: 01:07 Do tech CEOs now rival state power 02:35 Digital sovereignty and algorithmic control 04:20 Why this power shift is unprecedented 06:03 Will governments regain control 08:00 Algorithms as the force reshaping power 11:11 Is the rules-based global order collapsing 14:57 Is US policy weakening America vs. China 17:52 India’s role in the emerging power balance 20:56 Leadership lessons from the Global Risk Report 27:27 Navigating power personally 30:19 Habits for surviving a chaotic world 34:14 Optimism about the future   Connect with Philip Meissner: linkedin.com/in/pmeissner  Connect with Ian Bremmer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianbremmer/ "What’s Next with Philip Meissner“ A journey through our future life and work, and the place to discover your next favorite strategy and innovation. With global perspectives and fresh thinking, brought to you by some of the most exciting thinkers, builders, and leaders across the globe. Philip Meissner hosts fantastic guests and speakers, who share their journeys and knowledge in the most authentic and deep-dive style – to guide you through our world of tomorrow. From economy to science, from tech policy to AI in a fast-changing world. Subscribe right now wherever you get your podcast! #PowerShift #AlgorithmicPower #AIandSociety #TechPower #GlobalPower #Geopolitics #DigitalSovereignty #Algorithms #FutureOfPower #PoliticalRisk #AIInfluence #TechVsGovernment #GlobalOrder #HumanBehavior #IanBremmer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  2. Using AI to Save Water: Why Farmers Matter Most

    JAN 27

    Using AI to Save Water: Why Farmers Matter Most

    We’re panicking about AI’s water use and missing the real problem. Jairo Trad, co-founder and CEO of Kilimo, explains why farmers sit at the center of the global water crisis, and how AI, used the right way, can dramatically reduce water waste at scale. Speaking with Philip Meissner, Jairo shares how Kilimo delivers AI-driven irrigation advice by simple text messages, without sensors or hardware, and why incentives matter more than regulation. In this episode, you’ll discover: - Why 70–90% of global water use happens in agriculture, not data centers - How AI without sensors helps farmers know exactly when to irrigate - Why paying farmers to save water finally makes large-scale change possible - How companies now invest in water security near their own facilities - What a future looks like where water is no longer the limiting factor This is a clear, pragmatic conversation about fixing water systems — not with guilt or panic, but with smarter incentives that actually work. 👉 Watch now to see why the path to water security starts on farms, not in server rooms.   Timestamps: 00:58 Why farmers drive climate impact 01:43 Agriculture vs AI water use 03:29 How much water farming really uses 04:09 The water problem no one fixes 06:351 How AI improves farm irrigation 07:51 What farmers gain from water tech 08:07 A farmer story: less water, better yields 09:45 Paying farmers to save water 13:12 Why climate must make business sense 15:01 How pricing fixes water problems 16:33 Where the biggest water savings are 18:07 What blocks water innovation 19:40 Rethinking the global water system 21:43 The thinker who inspired Jairo 23:51 Why entrepreneurs embrace pain 25:44 Scaling without losing judgment 28:04 Confidence vs ego in leadership 29:02 Building teams that challenge leaders 31:26 A future with water security 32:37 Why Jairo stays optimistic Connect with Philip Meissner: linkedin.com/in/pmeissner    Connect with Jairo Trad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingjairotrad/   Explore Kilimo: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agrokilimo Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/kilimo-agtech/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/agrokilimo   "What’s Next with Philip Meissner“ A journey through our future life and work, and the place to discover your next favorite strategy and innovation. With global perspectives and fresh thinking, brought to you by some of the most exciting thinkers, builders, and leaders across the globe. Philip Meissner hosts fantastic guests and speakers, who share their journeys and knowledge in the most authentic and deep-dive style – to guide you through our world of tomorrow. From economy to science, from tech policy to AI in a fast-changing world. Subscribe right now wherever you get your podcast! #WaterCrisis #AgTech #AIForGood #SustainableAgriculture #WaterSecurity #ClimateTech #SmartIrrigation #FutureOfFarming #WaterInnovation #AIInAgriculture #ClimateSolutions #WaterManagement #Sustainability #FoodSecurity #ClimateAction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min
  3. Why Recycling Fails (and How AI Can Fix It)

    JAN 13

    Why Recycling Fails (and How AI Can Fix It)

    AI can recognise faces, cars, even emotions, but until now, it couldn’t see our waste. Philip Meissner talks with Ambarish Mitra, founder of GrayParrot, about the unexpected place AI is finally starting to change the system: recycling. Ambarish shares his journey from augmented reality to environmental AI, and explains how digitising waste unlocks a powerful new data layer for the circular economy. You’ll learn: Why the plastic crisis is actually a waste and data problemHow AI detects and sorts waste in chaotic recycling environmentsWhy most recyclable packaging never gets recycledHow real-time data is changing policy, producer responsibility, and design decisions This conversation shows how AI can move beyond optimisation and advertising to solve one of the world’s most overlooked challenges. Watch now to see how invisible waste is becoming actionable intelligence. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:13 From augmented reality to recycling 02:45 Why waste is the last AI frontier 04:29 Waste as a design and data problem 06:29 How Gray Parrot uses AI to see waste 08:47 Solving AI detection in chaotic waste 11:28 Insights for waste plants and brands 14:29 Vision for global impact 16:08 Bottlenecks in the circular economy 18:59 The true scale of the waste crisis 23:26 Entrepreneurial pride and purpose 27:26 Leadership lessons from Blippar 29:51 Curiosity vs conviction 30:43 Staying grounded as a founder 32:44 What makes the future optimistic Connect with Philip Meissner: linkedin.com/in/pmeissner    Connect with Ambarish Mitra: linkedin.com/in/ambarishmitra #Recycling #ArtificialIntelligence #CircularEconomy #WasteManagement #Sustainability #ClimateTech #GreenTech #ComputerVision #EnvironmentalInnovation #AIForGood #PlasticWaste #WasteCrisis #SustainableFuture #TechForClimate #DataDrivenSustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  4. Shaping the Future: Energy, AI, and the Hidden Drivers of Change

    12/30/2025

    Shaping the Future: Energy, AI, and the Hidden Drivers of Change

    The future isn’t being shaped by one force alone. It’s being shaped by energy, technology, psychology, and the very human choices we make every day. In this Best of 2025 episode, host Philip Meissner revisits five standout conversations that explore the forces shaping the decade ahead. You’ll hear: • Enass Abo-Hamed on why the energy transition is slowing and what must change by 2035 • Kabir Sehgal on creativity, AI, and why human connection still matters • Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir on intuition, bias, and how we really make decisions • Anjhula Mya Singh Bais on mental health as a hidden driver of leadership and society • Ameya Prabhu on why India is widely misunderstood and central to global growth These insights cut through optimism and hype to focus on what truly matters for our shared future. ▶️ Watch now and explore the ideas shaping the world ahead. Timestamps: 00:00 Best of 2025 overview 01:18 Why the energy transition is slowing 03:09 Climate blind spots and accountability 04:54 What energy could look like in 2035 06:07 Business opportunities in energy 06:46 AI, creativity, and human connection 09:00 Skills that still make us human 10:27 Can creativity be learned 11:55 Intuition vs bias 15:13 Neuroscience and decision making 16:55 Why mental health shapes the future 18:25 What the mental health debate misses 20:20 The role of technology in mental health 22:08 Misconceptions about India Connect with Philip Meissner: linkedin.com/in/pmeissner Connect with - Enass Abo-Hamed: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enassa/ - Kabir Sehgal: linkedin.com/in/hikabir - Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir: linkedin.com/in/hrundgunnsteinsdottir - Anjhula Mya Singh Bais: linkedin.com/in/anjhula - Ameya Prabhu: linkedin.com/in/ameya-prabhu-a3738289 #FutureOfWork #EnergyTransition #AIAndCreativity #MentalHealthLeadership #HumanConnection #IntuitionAndBias #NeuroscienceInsights #ClimateChangeAction #LeadershipTrends #IndiaGrowthStory #TechnologyAndSociety #DecisionMaking #FutureThinking #GlobalEconomy #BestOf2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What’s Next brings together builders, thinkers and leaders whose work matters. From Berlin to Bangalore, Lagos to San Francisco, the podcast explores how technology and thought leadership change how we  work, govern, and build.​ ​ Each episode focuses on one idea that matters. Clear enough to explain over dinner, solid enough to stand up in the boardroom. Global perspectives, sharp thinking, and insights designed to improve decision quality.​ ​ What’s next. Building the Future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.