OECD Podcasts

OECD

How can we all help shape better policies for better lives? OECD Podcasts bring you insightful interviews with experts and well-known personalities on such pressing challenges as inequality and inclusive growth, the economy, jobs, the digital transformation, climate change, the environment, education, healthcare, tax, trade, international co-operation, and more. NOTE: The opinions expressed and arguments employed in the content displayed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the OECD, its Member countries, or any stakeholders who have contributed to or participated in any related work.

  1. 4d ago

    Governing AI in the Public Sector with NY State's Chief AI Officer Eleonore Fournier-Tombs

    Governments are moving from discussing artificial intelligence to deploying it. But what does responsible AI look like when it is used inside large public administrations, across real services, using real people’s information? In Episode 3 of Statistics in the AI Era, OECD Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely speaks with New York State Chief AI Officer Eleonore Fournier-Tombs, about the practical work of implementing AI across government while maintaining public trust. They discuss the emerging role of Chief AI Officers, AI use cases in public service delivery, code modernisation and geospatial analysis; the data governance foundations needed for AI; and how risk assessments, acceptable-use policies and human oversight can make responsible AI operational. The conversation also explores workforce impacts, the importance of upskilling and consultation, and the need for a governance model that gives agencies room to experiment while ensuring the highest-risk use cases receive extra scrutiny. Host: Steve MacFeely | Chief Statistician, Statistics and Data Directorate, OECD LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/steve-macfeely-a1a710112/ Guest: Eleonore Fournier-Tombs | Chief AI Officer, New York State LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/eleonoreft To learn more about AI governance challenges in the public sector: www.oecd.org/en/blogs/2026/07/governing-ai-and-data-in-the-public-sector-with-eleonore-fournier-tombs.html To learn more about this policy area: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/directorates/statistics-and-data-directorate.html To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters

    Governing AI in the Public Sector with NY State's Chief AI Officer Eleonore Fournier-Tombs

  2. Jun 22

    Making good data easier to find and use with Google's Prem Ramaswami

    As AI assistants, search engines and chatbots become intermediaries between users and information, official statistics face a new usability test: can authoritative public data be found, understood, sourced and used correctly by both humans and machines? In the second episode of Statistics in the AI Era, OECD Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely speaks with Prem Ramaswami, Head of Google Data Commons, about the practical work needed to make trusted statistics understandable to people and legible to AI systems. Prem argues that the challenge is not only to publish reliable data, but to make it easier to discover, connect and use. He explains why fragmented datasets impose a hidden “data tax” on analysts, why AI systems need data that is well sourced, auditable and reproducible, and why statistical organisations should start with machine-readable metadata. The conversation also explores practical AI use cases across the statistical pipeline - including data collection, data cleaning, sharing and tailored policy outputs - as well as the need for public-private partnerships where technology companies help, and statistical institutions hold them to account. Host: Steve MacFeely | Chief Statistician, Statistics and Data Directorate, OECD LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-macfeely-a1a710112/ Guest: Prem Ramaswami | Head of Data Commons, Google LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/premrama/ To learn more about this policy area: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/directorates/statistics-and-data-directorate.html To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters

    Making good data easier to find and use with Google's Prem Ramaswami

  3. Jun 16

    AI and the future of official statistics with André Loranger - Chief Statistician of Canada

    AI is changing how citizens, journalists and policymakers find facts. Instead of going directly to statistical databases, more users are turning to AI assistants and chatbots to retrieve, interpret and reference official statistics. In this first episode of Statistics in the AI Era, OECD Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely speaks with André Loranger, Chief Statistician of Canada and head of Statistics Canada, about what trusted public data means when AI becomes the interface between society and statistics. They discuss metadata, evolving data quality frameworks, hallucination risks, responsible AI use within statistical organisations, and whether AI should be treated as a new kind of user. The episode also explores Statistics Canada’s 2030 vision and the mix of skills statistical offices will need to protect quality, transparency and public trust in the AI age. Host: Steve MacFeely, OECD Chief Statistician (OECD Statistics and Data Directorate) LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-macfeely-a1a710112/ Guest: André Loranger, Chief Statistician of Canada (Statistics Canada) LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-loranger-12515731/ To learn more about this policy area: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/directorates/statistics-and-data-directorate.html To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters

    AI and the future of official statistics with André Loranger - Chief Statistician of Canada

  4. Apr 17

    AI in small businesses: hype, hope or hard reality?

    Recorded live for the first time at the 7th Digital for SMEs (D4SME) Roundtable, this special episode is hosted by Shayne MacLachlan and Alix Philouze. While 61% of SMEs report using AI, three quarters remain beginners, highlighting a gap between adoption and confidence. Joined by entrepreneurs Regitze Vestergaard Jacobsen, Robyn Baker and Leonardo Baggiani, the discussion explores how small businesses are experimenting with AI, managing cyber risks, navigating costs and skills gaps, and protecting jobs, identity and the human touch. A candid, on the ground conversation to explore what matters most to entrepreneurs facing these challenges today. Hosts: Shayne MacLachlan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities. Alix Philouze is a communications co-ordinator at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, where she works with both the SME and Entrepreneurship division and the Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development division. She holds a degree in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin. Guests: Robyn Baker | https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-baker-257924396/ Robyn Baker is an entrepreneur based in The Netherlands who loves supporting small businesses succeed on competitive eCommerce marketplaces. Through her business Unicorn Copy & Strategy, she provides the written and photo content needed to launch products online with a focus on AI optimization to maximize product visibility and brand growth. Leonardo Baggiani | https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardo-baggiani-488216116/ A former Chef, Leonardo Baggiani transitioned to management to ensure business resilience. Leveraging an Agronomy degree and Food Quality Master, he directs cultural-site cafés through public-sector collaborations. His human-scale approach prioritizes staff well-being, promoting the vital social essence of traditional neighborhood hubs also in tourist areas. Regitze Vestergaard Jacobsen | https://www.linkedin.com/in/regitze-vestergaard-jacobsen-12025b97/ Regitze Vestergaard Jacobsen is a Sales and Marketing Manager in the Danish hospitality sector at Hotel Gl. Skovridergaard and Conference Center, where she works hands-on with AI to turn digital potential into real business value. She focuses on saving time, personalising guest experiences, and improving visibility. Her core belief is clear: technology should support people, not replace them, and be simple enough for SMEs to actually use. To know more about the D4SME network https://www.oecd.org/en/networks/oecd-digital-for-smes-global-initiative.html For the latest SMEs policy https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/empowering-smes-in-the-age-of-ai_bf5a9816-en.html To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters #oecdpodcast #oecd #ocde #SMEs #AI #business #digital

    AI in small businesses: hype, hope or hard reality?

  5. Apr 3

    Fuel, fear and flights: How the tourism sector learned to withstand global shocks

    Over the 10 years, global tourism has been reshaped by successive crises, from the collapse of travel during COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the current conflict in the Gulf and the rise of petrol prices. In this episode, Shayne MacLachlan from the OECD, speaks with Sergio Guerreiro, Chair of the OECD Tourism Committee, about how governments have responded to uncertainty and what resilience means in practice. Together, they explore how tourism policy is evolving to balance growth with sustainability, community impact and long-term stability in an increasingly unpredictable world. Host: Shayne MacLachlan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities Guest : Sergio Guerreiro / https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergioguerreiro74?originalSubdomain=pt To learn more about policy area: https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/tourism.html To read more on tourism policy in Portugal by Serio Guerreiro: https://oecdcogito.blog/2026/01/07/tourism-at-a-turning-point-the-next-generation-of-policy-making/ To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters

    Fuel, fear and flights: How the tourism sector learned to withstand global shocks

  6. Feb 24

    Life, the universe and Data Governance with OECD Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely

    Data is the lifeblood of the modern economy - powering decision-making, daily life, and the AI revolution. But governing data is full of trade-offs: openness and trust vs privacy and regulation; cross-border sharing vs sovereignty; and timeliness vs quality. In this episode of Behind the Numbers, host Ashley Ward is joined by OECD Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely to explore why data governance has become a core policy challenge - and what it means for the future of official statistics and AI. We follow Steve’s journey from Cork to Geneva to Paris; unpack his thoughts on metadata; and find out where he thinks the international statistical community should double down – or back off – over the coming decade. Host: Ashley Ward, Director’s Office Advisor and Communications Manager (OECD Statistics and Data Directorate) Guest: Steve MacFeely, OECD Chief Statistician (OECD Statistics and Data Directorate) To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/en/about.html To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/en/about/newsletters.html

    Life, the universe and Data Governance with OECD Chief Statistician Steve MacFeely

  7. Jan 23

    Labels matter: Putting people over profit

    With hundreds of sustainability and impact labels in circulation, how can consumers, policymakers and investors identify organisations that really do put people over profit? And why does it matter for the social economy? In this episode of Cogito Talks, Shayne MacLachlan is joined by Ruben Rebelo from the European Commission and Sofija Rakcejeva from the OECD to explore how labels can do more than just make social economy more visible and easier to support but also help people do better. Drawing on a recent joint OECD and European Commission report, we will unpack the different types of labels that exist, from those exclusively for social economy entities to broader impact and financial labels, and discuss how they can guide funding, policy decisions and consumer choices. Host: Shayne MacLachlan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities Rúben Rebelo is a policy officer currently serving at the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission. He joined the ‘Social and Inclusive Entrepreneurship’ unit in 2021 and is working on the implementation of the Social Economy Action Plan. He was involved in drafting and negotiating the Council recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions, and in publishing the Special Eurobarometer on the social economy in the lives of Europeans. Sofija Rakcejeva is a policy analyst in the Social Economy and Innovation Unit at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, where she analyses the contribution of the social economy to policy priorities such as affordable housing and social inclusion, as well as framework conditions that can increase its impact, including labels, taxation and access to finance. Before joining the OECD, Sofija co-authored two technical briefs and contributed to due diligence of microfinance projects at the Council of Europe Development Bank. Sofija holds an MA in International Economic Policy from Sciences Po and a BA in History, Politics and Economics from University College London. To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters

    Labels matter: Putting people over profit

  8. 12/22/2025

    COGITO Talks… What in the World is the Tropical Economy?

    Imagine a world where rural and tropical regions aren’t struggling backwaters, but breeding ground for fresh ideas, new jobs and sustainable growth. According to OECD’s Rural Innovation Pathways, rural innovation isn’t just a smaller copy of what happens in cities, it’s different: rooted in community‑led projects, adaptive agriculture, renewable energy, social enterprises and creative responses to local needs. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/rural-innovation-pathways_c86de0f4-en.html The “tropical economy” vision isn’t pie‑in‑the‑sky, it fits squarely within OECD’s roadmap for leveraging natural capital, innovation and place‑based assets to build resilient, inclusive, future‑oriented rural economies. In today's episode of our #FromtheGroundUp series, Betty-Ann Bryce (OECD) sits down with Ingo Plöger (CEAL), for a conversation to explore how tropical regions, with abundant natural resources, rich biodiversity and favourable climate, can become engines of sustainable growth, innovation and resilient rural development. Have a listen and find out what in the world is the Tropical Economy! Ingo Plöger is a Brazilian-German engineer, entrepreneur and business leader deeply engaged in strengthening ties between Brazil, Europe and Latin America. He is currently the International President of The Business Council of Latin America (CEAL). He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technische Universität Darmstadt (Germany) and a postgraduate degree in Economic and Labor Sciences from the Technische Universität München. Over his career he served as Executive President of the historic São Paulo firm Cia. Melhoramentos and today is founder and president of the consultancy firm IPDES, which supports institutional, corporate and cross-border business development. He participates in the boards of several major national and multinational companies and holds advisory roles with organisations like Robert Bosch GmbH among others. As of January 2026, he will assume the presidency of ABAG, the main agribusiness association in Brazil, reinforcing his commitment to sustainable, competitive and globally connected agriculture and agro-industry. **** To learn more, visit OECD Latin American Rural Development Conference https://www.oecd.org/en/events/2025/11/oecd-latin-american-rural-development-conference.html and the OECD's work on Rural Development https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/policy-issues/rural-development.html. Find out more on these topics by reading Reinforcing Rural Resilience https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/reinforcing-rural-resilience_7cd485e3-en.html and Rural Innovation Pathways https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/rural-innovation-pathways_c86de0f4-en.html. To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to https://www.oecd.org/en/about.html To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit https://www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/newsletters

    COGITO Talks… What in the World is the Tropical Economy?
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About

How can we all help shape better policies for better lives? OECD Podcasts bring you insightful interviews with experts and well-known personalities on such pressing challenges as inequality and inclusive growth, the economy, jobs, the digital transformation, climate change, the environment, education, healthcare, tax, trade, international co-operation, and more. NOTE: The opinions expressed and arguments employed in the content displayed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the OECD, its Member countries, or any stakeholders who have contributed to or participated in any related work.

Information

  • Creator
    OECD
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    OECD Podcasts

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