Economist Podcasts

4.3 (3.8K)
News
Updated Daily

Sound reasoning. Every weekday, our global network of correspondents explain the world's most important stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13h ago

The end of the world is AI? An existential threat

Is artificial intelligence becoming uncontrollably powerful? Our correspondent analyses whether a pause to breakneck development is possible or feasible. We have entered the new age of the orator. And why cheese is getting more popular in India. Guests and host: Alex Hern, AI writerTom Wainwright, culture correspondentTom Sasse, South Asia bureau chiefRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Human extinction, AI, Sam Altman, Dario AmodeiOral culture, literacy, James Marriott, Walter OngCheese, India, kalimpong Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1d ago • Subscribers Only

How to survive at the edge of chaos

No plan survives the first five minutes of battle. So how do you prepare for “Minute Six”? Emergency physician Kevin Fong has spent a career working at the “edge of chaos”, as a doctor with a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, as a clinical advisor for NHS England's covid-19 response, and through his work with NASA. He explains why human ingenuity in the face of the unknown is the best asset of any group in a crisis. Guests and hosts: Kevin Fong OBE, emergency doctor and the author of “Minute Six” Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor Topics covered: Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Feedback loops Britain’s covid-19 response Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
1d ago

Islamism in Britain: what is the threat?

Though a growing share of the British population is anxious about Islam, they have no reason to be. Islamism, a fringe ideology that believes government and society should be guided by Islamic principles, is the real concern. America cracks down on multinationals’ efforts to shift profits overseas. And why corporate training videos are virtually useless. Guests and host: Sonny Loughran, Britain correspondentShera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondentAndrew Palmer, “Boss Class” host and Bartleby columnistRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: Islamism, Britain, IslamophobiaIRS, corporate tax, Coca-ColaCorporate training videos Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2d ago • Subscribers Only

China’s shrinking space for expression

China’s internet used to be a rambunctious place. But over the past 10 years the country’s leaders have sought to tame it. A recent natural disaster and a comedy mishap reveal an online world where the flow of information is narrowing and the list of “safe topics” changes constantly. How did China’s censors gain such decisive control—and what might it cost the Communist Party? Guests and hosts: Simon Rabinovitch, The Economist’s Beijing bureau chief and Chaguan columnist Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Xiao Qiang, founder of China Digital Times Topics covered: Censorship in China Speech under Xi Jinping AI and censorship Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.
2d ago

Strait and narrowing: the Houthis’ striking advance

After years of stalemate, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis are taking territory, including on a Red Sea strait. We ask what has changed, and how the shift fits into the wider regional conflict. As America’s midterm elections approach, we examine the fragmentation of the coalition that put Donald Trump back in office. And we ask how much nepotism matters in Hollywood today. Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
4d ago

The Weekend Intelligence: Shire folk

For 15 years, the British media dismissed Tommy Robinson as a far-right extremist. We kept him off our televisions, and out of our newspapers. Today his rallies attract tens of thousands of followers and he has the ear of the world’s richest man. Shire Folk is the story of how some of the most powerful people in America came to see Britain—and Islam—through the eyes of a fringe football hooligan. Topics covered: Radical IslamGangsEnglish Defence League Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
5d ago

Out-numbered: AI’s contentious maths milestone

OpenAI’s claim to have solved one of the great problems in mathematics has itself created problems. We ask why the breakthrough has shaken the field. On the 25th anniversary of 9/11 we examine the vast counterterrorism machinery that followed in America, and nascent efforts to pare those powers back. And remembering Guo Lanying, a Chinese singer who championed traditional opera. Watch extended clips from Insider here. Guests and host: Sam Wikeley, science correspondentSam Beal, Washington correspondentAnn Wroe, obituaries editorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence” Topics covered: mathematics, AI, Millennium Prize Problems9/11 anniversary, counterterrorism lawGuo Lanying, Chinese opera Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6d ago • Subscribers Only

Why Republicans might lose the midterms

It’s common for a president’s party to do badly in midterm elections. But redistricting and a favourable Senate map should have given the Republicans an advantage this cycle. Instead they’re very likely to lose the House and may cede control in the Senate. How much is Donald Trump to blame? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Dan Rosenheck, data editor Kennett Werner, Washington correspondent Topics covered: The Economist’s prediction model The Republicans’ midterm convention Donald Trump’s hold on his party Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

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Join Jason Palmer and Rosie Blau for noise-cancelling news and analysis from The Economist's global network of correspondents. Every weekday this award-winning podcast picks three stories shaping your world—the big shifts in politics, business and culture, plus things you never knew you needed to know. On Saturdays, download The Weekend Intelligence to dive deep into a single story, vividly told. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.5 (2453)

Daily News
The World in Brief tells you what’s on the global agenda in the coming day, what to look out for in business, finance and politics and, most importantly, what to make of it. Economist Podcasts+ subscribers and digital subscribers to The Economist should log in at economist.com/audio/podcasts/the-world-in-brief for access to the full World in Brief. Sign up for Economist Podcasts+ here: www.economist.com/podcastsplus-worldinbrief. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.1 (1036)

Daily News
Join The Economist’s Mike Bird, Alice Fulwood and Ethan Wu for award-winning reporting and discussion on the stories that move markets. They speak to top bosses, investors and analysts around the world for unmatched insight into global finance, business and economics. Published every Thursday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.3 (930)

Business News
Unlock American politics with The Economist’s John Prideaux, Charlotte Howard and James Bennet. Taking one big theme every week, they dig into the data, the ideas and the history behind it. Politicians, pollsters and political scientists join them to discuss where the great experiment of American democracy is headed. Published every Friday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.5 (1436)

Politics
Babbage is The Economist’s weekly podcast on science and technology—named after Charles Babbage, the grandfather of computing. Explore the science changing the way we live from AI to genetics, particle physics and space travel with Alok Jha. This award-winning podcast features in-depth interviews with top scientists and special episodes investigating wellness trends. Published every Wednesday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.8 (589)

Science
Gain a deeper understanding of China with Jeremy Page and Sarah Wu. The Economist’s China correspondents report from across the country and the places it influences beyond its borders. Jiehao Chen joins the discussion from London. This award-winning podcast takes on everything from the CCP to EVs and from ageing to AI. Published every Tuesday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4.7 (377)

News

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Alice Fulwood

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Mike Bird

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Patrick Lane

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Tom Lee-Devlin

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Alex Hern

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Tom Wainwright

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Tom Sasse

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Sonny Loughran

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Shera Avi-Yonah

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Andrew Palmer

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4.3

out of 5

3,808 Ratings

Elon Musk Proves He’s an Arrogant Jerk

Aug 2

SDTerp

Kudos to the Economist for the Musk interview. It allowed him to prove in his own words that he is an arrogant jerk. And though I believe he is a technical genius and has made hugely positive contributions to the world, on matters of politics and social policy he is at best a junior-varsity debater. He continuously says that his positions on such matters are obvious and engages in ad hominem attacks when pressed to provide facts to back up his positions. His proof is essentially, “because I said so.” He’s rather pathetic in that regard.
Patronizing

1d ago

Part-Time Barbarian

This episode about the difference between Islam and ‘Islamism’ is basically The Economist saying they think we’re stupid. This alleged distinction not only appears ignorant of the Quran and Islamic theology, but of the history of Islam to begin with. Tell me, O learned Economists, how did Islam spread across North Africa, Eastern Europe, and all the way to Spain? Was that ‘Islamism’? Read a book!
Ideologically captured

5d ago

Kazanov

A once respectable magazine…I was subscribed to it for 25 years. Used to be the highlight of the week. Not anymore.
Cognitive dissonance

Aug 3

Norcalclimber

I listened with great interest the recent episode on animal testing. I was eager to hear of the nuanced and researched journalism that I have to expect as a paying subscriber to the Economist. I absorbed that episode and the story that was over 30 minutes long with growing disappointment. Not a single mention of the vast atrocities that are committed to kill animals for food. One can make an argument that perhaps some animal testing is indeed justified for saving lives. However, animals killed for medical testing or a tiny tiny fraction of the millions of animals slaughtered every single day for food. We do not need to kill animals for food. We can get all our nourishment from plants. Why did you completely ignore this huge elephant in the room reality?!

Sound reasoning. Every weekday, our global network of correspondents explain the world's most important stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.