Economist Podcasts

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 of American country dancing in France.Guests and host:Henry Tricks, US technology editorStevie Hertz, US public policy correspondentSophie Pedder, Paris bureau chiefRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Hollywood, filmmaking, AIObamacare, healthcare, health insuranceFrance, country music, line-dancingListen 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.

FOR 35 years the Ig Nobel prizes—given for “research that makes people laugh, then think”—have been awarded at a madcap ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The “laugh” part highlights the sillier side of science; the “think” part reveals the same creative inquiry that drives the more dour-seeming side. Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”, speaks to the prizes’ founder and past winners about the grave reasons the ceremony is moving this year to Zurich. Topics covered:Ig Nobel prizes Nobel prizesscientific inquiryAmerican science policyGuests:Marc Abrahams, founder, Ig Nobel prizesMarie Dacke, professor of sensory biology, Lund UniversitySir Andre Geim, professor of physics, University of ManchesterDavid Kaiser, professor of physics and professor of the history of science, MITLuca Luiselli, president, Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Co-operationLinks to other episodes:The Weekend Intelligence: Science under siegeThe Weekend Intelligence: The War on Animal ResearchListen 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.***************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.

The president’s border wall is finally going up. It’s part of a reshaping of America’s immigration strategy, which also includes his mass deportation campaign. For Donald Trump’s supporters it’s all a triumph. But is it for America?Guests and hosts:John Prideaux, executive editorJames Bennet, Lexington columnistAryn Braun, West Coast correspondentAlex Domash, economics correspondentTopics covered:The border wallMass deportationsThe economic impact of reduced immigrationTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcastsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interviewGuests and host:Don Weinland, China business editorAlice Fulwood, “Money Talks” host and US business editorAlexandra Suich-Bass, culture editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Robots, humanoids, China, AIMeta, Instagram, Facebook, social media, addiction, Shakespeare and Company, Paris, bookshopsListen 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.

For decades, America’s stock exchanges have been the destination of choice for international investors. And no wonder, since that is where the Magnificent Seven tech firms are listed. Until recently these behemoths were generating gushing streams of cash, spending little of it and delivering stellar returns. But are they—and the rest of America’s stock market—now losing their shine?Guests and hosts:Michael Hartnett, Bank of America investment strategistJosh Roberts, co-host of “Money Talks”Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks”Ethan Wu, co-host of “Money Talks”Topics covered:S&P 500American exceptionalismMagnificent Seven stocksTranscripts 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 editorSarah Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The Intelligence”Jon Fasman, senior culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Cancer, immunotherapy, vaccines, mRNAOil, Canada, trade war, tariffsDolly Parton, country musicListen 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.

In extreme heat, air-conditioning is a lifesaver. But it drives up energy bills, strains power grids, and fuels climate change. Is there a way to keep people cool indoors without making the outside world hotter? We explore some innovative engineering solutions.Guests and hosts:The Economist’s Nikita OstrovskyChris Trott and Saxbourne Cheung of Foster and PartnersAhmad Alduweesh and Jiayu Song of University College LondonAlex Hern, The Economist’s AI writerTopics covered:Air-conditioningPassive coolingGlobal warmingTranscripts 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 a political lineage through the new British prime minister’s accent.Guests and host:Joshua Roberts, capital markets correspondentShashank Joshi, Washington bureau chiefLane Greene, language correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: bond markets, Treasury, yields, Scott BessentAmerica, cyber-attacks, water, critical infrastructureBritish politics, Andy Burnham, accents, class angstListen 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.

China is rushing ahead on AI integration. The Communist Party wants every industry to adopt the technology in the hope it will boost growth. But behind the enthusiasm, the country’s leaders worry about workers being displaced by the tech they are promoting.  Guests and hosts:Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower”Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower”  Topics:Chinese AI China’s economyChina’s jobs market 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After much hullabaloo America announced its “Operation Economic Outcast”, a new tranche of sanctions. It is thin gruel, and might in fact invite military reprisals from Iran. Call centres form a large part of the economy of the Philippines; surprisingly, AI is not stopping the industry’s rise. And a data-led look at which cities offer the best (relative) paycheques.  Guests and host:Fraser McIlwraith, foreign correspondentJoshua Spencer, Asia news editorVishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, sanctionsAI, offshoring, the Philippinesworld cities, pay, economic migrationListen 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.

Promising trade talks imploded after a literal 11th-hour change from the American side. We examine the new trade barriers being erected, and the complex calculation for Prime Minister Mark Carney. In Japan Gen X workers are even still bearing the costs of an economic bubble-burst from the 1990s. And how fates of civilisations have turned on sieges throughout history. Guests and host:Hal Hodson, Americas editorMoeka Iida, East Asia reporterRichard Cockett, senior digital editorJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Canada, the United States, tariffs, Mark Carney, trade warJapan, Gen X, labour marketsieges, world historyListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.Correction (August 26th): We originally published a version of this podcast stated that Japan's bubble era spanned the 1970s and 1980s. It was only the 1980s. Apologies for the error. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Around 30% of Japan’s population is now over 65 and record numbers of people are dying. The weight of those deaths is falling on fewer shoulders, as births decline and the younger generation shrinks. On The Weekend Intelligence our East Asia reporter, Moeka Iida reports on kodokushi or "lonely deaths” and meets people finding ways to make the end of life less solitary.  Topics covered:Aging society Lonely death Death cleaningEnd-of-life planning “Grave friends”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.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.