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The business show that goes beyond the numbers and the corporate jargon! We break down major business stories and look at how they affect our lives. Thursday at 4:45pm Paris time.

3d ago

Food security under pressure from conflicts, extreme weather

Extreme weather and violent conflicts are threatening food production and trade across the globe. Experts are forecasting a super El Niño, which could further disrupt planting and harvests – and push millions more people into acute food insecurity. Meanwhile the ongoing wars with Iran and Ukraine are disrupting shipping and supply chains. Shawn Arita, Associate Research Professor at North Dakota State University, believes that transport problems outweigh supply concerns. "The food does exist, the availability does exist. The main issue currently speaking is that the movement is broken." He describes the Strait of Hormuz as "a fertilizer corridor," which is crucial for farmers around the world. "Approximately a third of globally exported fertilizers previously, before 2026, came through Hormuz (...) We are seeing that transmitted through supply-side concerns, through yield-side concerns, and that is putting upward pressure on cereal prices, grain prices and ultimately throughout the whole food system, for major producers across the world." Arita says high fertilizer and energy prices will continue to weigh on agricultural output. "When farmers' profit margins are weak or in many cases negative, throughout the US and for many farmers in the world, the depression of those margins leads to less output and ultimately that will feed into less food production globally."
Sep 10

International Space Summit: Europe plays catch-up with US and China

The space sector is booming. The global industry expected to reach a value of €2 trillion mark by 2040. But behind this spectacular growth lies major geopolitical challenges, particularly for Europe. In this edition, FRANCE 24’s Charles Pellegrin speaks to Kai-Uwe Schrogl at the International Space Summit in Paris. Schrogl, a political affairs adviser to the European Space Agency, answers questions about the future of the great beyond and Europe’s place in the new space race.
Sep 3

Please welcome the newest member to our team: The AI agent

This week, we're looking look at efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence into the workplace. But not just your run-of-the-mill generative AI chatbot: we're focusing on actual AI agents. These are autonomous programs designed to take on tasks and work through a series of steps without the user having to specify every move. And they're moving into our everyday lives – helping people plan holidays, shop online and take care of other routine tasks. To find out more, we speak to Andrew Lopianowski and Mike Pino, the founders of HumanCorps, a consultancy that helps organisations navigate the transition into the age of AI.
Aug 31

Executive diversity and inclusion: How to promote female leadership

CEO Women Europe is a new initiative launched in June of this year to boost partnerships between Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region. Kate Moody meets with Sandrine El Khodry, president of this new platform and also Executive Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing at Alcatel Lucent Enterprise.
Aug 31

Artificial intelligence in Europe: Does advanced AI have a glass ceiling?

What does Europe lose if advanced AI adoption stays at current levels? A report commissioned by US tech giant Amazon Web Services finds that skills shortages and regulatory uncertainty are hindering AI adoption in Europe and 38 percent of European startups are looking to move abroad. Charles Pellegrin talks to Sasha Rubel, AWS's head of generative AI policy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Jul 2

Andy Burnham outlines his vision for UK economy with promise to raise living standards

Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, is likely to be the next British prime minister following Keir Starmer's resignation. Central to Burnham's platform is improving living standards that have stagnated or even fallen since the 2008 global financial crisis. But with weak public finances, how realistic is his plan? FRANCE 24's Charles Pellegrin talks to Renaud Foucart, senior lecturer in economics at Lancaster University.
Jun 26

VivaTech 2026: Space race hits new heights with reusable technology

Space loomed large over the 2026 VivaTech festival. Startups and technology giants alike have entered the new space economy – a sector previously dominated by government agencies. FRANCE 24’s Business Editor Kate Moody sat down with Marta Oliveira, Co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Atmos Space Cargo, to talk about reusable rockets, raising money in the private sector and international competition in the 21st century space race.
Jun 18

VivaTech 2026: Bringing quantum computing from innovation to commercialisation

Can quantum computing change the way we solve problems? The emerging technology can tackle situations that are out of reach for classical computers, in industries including healthcare and finance. At the 10th annual VivaTech festival, Kate Moody visits IBM's Quantum System Two chandelier, and speaks to Jerry Chow, IBM's Chief Technology Officer for Quantum-Centric Supercomputing, about the real-life benefits, geopolitical pressure and next milestones.

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The business show that goes beyond the numbers and the corporate jargon! We break down major business stories and look at how they affect our lives. Thursday at 4:45pm Paris time.