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Economist Podcasts
The Economist · News
What happens when everyone can code?
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Coffer stop: AI may shrink tax base
If Artificial Intelligence results in job losses or lower salaries, government revenues will fall. Our correspondent explains how best to tax the windfalls from AI. Paint is a surprisingly cheap way to cool buildings. And remembering the life of Stanislas Hutin , who revealed France’s barbarity in Algeria. Watch…
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Trial and terror: Russia escalates Kyiv campaign
Russia has embarked on a new campaign to quell Ukraine, focused on supermarkets, playgrounds and other civilian targets. Our correspondent reports on the toll on daily life in Kyiv. Despite the backlash against “ pervert glasses ”, companies continue to develop AI-enabled smart specs. And how the pen changed history.…
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Cheques and the City: Premier League disgrace
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of breaching over 100 rules. What penalty will the Premier League exact? Russia’s increasingly brazen attempts to provoke and undermine Europe. And why cute Chiikawa , star of a Japanese blockbuster, gives comfort in anxious times. Subscribers can listen to “…
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Brazil rut: Lula v Bolsonaro, again
On October 4th, Brazil faces a polarising general election : re-elect the octogenarian incumbent or pick the son of a former president jailed for attempting a coup. In some countries honour culture holds women back from even entering the workplace. And why artists are banning phones from concerts . Guests and host…
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Foiled plot: did Iran plan British base attack?
Five men are in custody under suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after being arrested near a British military base used by American aircraft. This could mark a significant escalation in Iranian hybrid warfare. What oil firms are doing with their profits from the Gulf conflict. And why women’s wages rise…
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Big meet, little meat: the Trump-Xi summit
Not much of real substance appears to have emerged from the get-together. But our correspondent says there are clues of how both sides view an evolving relationship. Tommy Robinson, a British far-right influencer, is increasingly well known to MAGA types in America; we examine his rise to prominence. And remembering…
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Home disadvantage: risks in housing markets
Rich-world house prices survived the last fit of interest-rate rises; our correspondent lays out why they may not this time . Nine months after Australia banned social media for under-16s, we ask if anything has changed . And a critical look at Israel’s hit show “Fauda” as it tackles the atrocities of October 7th.…
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National front-runner: who can beat Le Pen?
Marine Le Pen, party leader of France’s populist-right National Rally, starts her fourth presidential bid with a commanding lead. The country’s political centre is broad, fragmented—and flagging . A buffer zone against so-called infiltrators in India’s West Bengal state is making life miserable also for Indian…
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The mob rule: criminality consumes South Africa
An illicit shadow economy, rampant extortion and the capture of the criminal justice system: mafia members and tactics are eating away at the state. Oura seems to have captured the market for smart rings; we ask whether it can keep its lead finger-tight. And our correspondent finds convention upended, for good and bad…
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Centre punch: Germany’s state-election shocker
Two more state-election results reveal surging support for both the far-right AfD and the populist-left Die Linke parties. Chancellor Friedrich Merz himself described the outcome as a disaster ; what will it mean for him? Our correspondent looks into why there is so much enthusiasm for African stocks. And what the…
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Drone truth: Russia has the upper hand
After a visit to Ukraine last week, our defence editor reports on a new phase of the war as Kyiv and other civilian targets are bombarded by Russian missiles. He also visits an elite Ukrainian drone unit. Why alcohol companies are scrambling to innovate. And remembering the life of feminist pioneer Gloria Steinem .…
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Rise and shine: Warsh’s Fed rate test
The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since July 2023. For the central bank’s new chair Kevin Warsh, that decision was a test both of monetary policy and politics. A governor’s election in Okinawa is a boon to Japan’s military ambitions. And why summer is a casualty of climate change. Guests…
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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 writer Tom Wainwright, culture…
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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…
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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…
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The Weekend Intelligence: Shire folk - Episode 1: Tommy's Town
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…
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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…
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Working through it: the AI jobs boom dawns
The labour data are in from America and a trend is becoming clearer : on balance AI is starting to create more jobs than it hoovers up. Despite advancements of just about every other kind, China cannot seem to escape its food-safety problems . We ask why not. And why Kenya’s ants have become the target of smugglers .…
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TRAILER: Shire folk
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Chainsaw sputtering: Milei’s experiment falters
President Javier Milei has tamed inflation and improved the lot of many Argentines. But an election season approaches, and the promised economic and wage growth are not materialising . As LIV Golf files for bankruptcy, we ask where it went wrong in trying to disrupt the sport. And the growth that is good for India’s…
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School of shock: teenagers get dimmer
International tests in maths and reading show that 15-year-olds today score what 14-year-olds would have done a decade ago. Our correspondent explains the long-term decline. Is Miami ’s thriving economic growth sustainable? And why Jeremy Vine ’s BBC Radio 2 show is a microcosm of Britain. Guests and host: Mark…
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All right on the night: AfD’s victory
Alternative for Germany won an even larger share of the vote than expected in yesterday’s state election. What does the far-right nationalist party’s success mean for Germany and Europe? The climate case for limiting vapour trails from aeroplanes. And why South Korean youths are turning to Buddhism . Guests and host…
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Bargaining chips: Nvidia is the bank of AI
Nvidia , the world’s most valuable company, has shifted strategy to boost demand for its chips. Our correspondent assesses the opportunities and risks. Knife crime in Britain moves to rural pastures. And our obituaries editor recounts the life of Frank Smith , who died in prison aged 101. Watch extended clips from…
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Ire and ICE: the toll of America’s deportations
Donald Trump’s stance on immigration helped him win the presidency. Our correspondent asks if a backlash against the campaign could damage Republican midterm prospects. Reddit is struggling in an age of AI. And the enduring beauty of the Bayeux tapestry . Guests and host: Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent Shera…
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Right in front: AfD could win German state
On Sunday, Alternative for Germany could become the first far-right nationalist party to win a state election since the end of the second world war. Is Britain right to worry about Palantir handling government contracts? And could the Chinese learn to love chocolate ? Guests and host: Tom Nuttall, chief Germany…
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After the flood: Nepal’s ongoing rescue
After the devastating flash flood last week, our correspondent explains why the country is so ill-equipped to deal with the crisis. Does AI stop children from learning? And why Japanese ongaku kissa , or listening bars , are so popular abroad. Guests and host: Kira Hiju, Asia correspondent Michelle Hennessy, graphic…
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Stars in their AIs: tech is changing Hollywood
Behind the scenes, Artificial Intelligence is playing a growing role in every aspect of film-making , from script-writing and production-planning to shot-generation and editing. As the number of people covered by Obamacare falls, our correspondent ponders the future of the healthcare programme. And the secret thrill…
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Bots on the ground: China leads humanoid race
Our correspondent goes inside a Chinese robot facility to see thousands of droids being taught to complete useful tasks. Is it worth the time and money? How Meta ’s $17bn settlement at its blockbuster trial could change teen social-media use. And 75 years of the Paris bookshop Shakespeare and Company . Watch extended…
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Big shot: does a cancer vaccine work?
Personalised vaccines could offer a breakthrough in the fight against cancer. Our correspondent analyses the latest trial. Canada’s oil market is flourishing, despite the trade war. And, why we will always love Dolly Parton . Guests and host: Natasha Loder, health editor Sarah Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The…
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Slip the surly bonds? Scott Bessent goes on a yield trip
Amid record-tickling yields , the bond markets are now trying to make sense of what Scott Bessent, America’s Treasury secretary, has announced —a move that might put him on a collision course with the Federal Reserve. We ask why it is so easy for hackers to infiltrate America’s water infrastructure. And understanding…
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