Advertise on podcast: Economist Podcasts

Israel’s prime minister faces a corruption trial at home and an arrest warrant for war crimes in The Hague. But the real trial that will determine his fate won’t be held in a courtroom. On Tuesday, Israeli voters will deliver a verdict that could finally end the reign of the country’s ultimate political survivor. 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 [email protected]. Read more about how we are using AI.

Nigeria is suffering a worsening security crisis, compounded by a lean harvest, global aid cuts and rising energy prices. So why is President Bola Tinubu likely to win January’s election? Europe is struggling to develop a rival to Starlink and reduce reliance on American satellites. And our obituaries editor recalls the improbable career of author and conman Jeffrey Archer. Watch extended clips from Insider here. Guests and host: Ore Ogunbiyi, Africa correspondentJonathan Rosenthal, international correspondentAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Nigeria, Bola TinubuStarlink, Ukraine, Musk, OneWeb, EutelsatJeffrey Archer, Kane and Abel, perjuryListen 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.

January 6th showed how far Donald Trump might go to subvert election results. How could the midterms be disrupted before election day, on the day itself, and in the aftermath? And what’s the likelihood of those attempts succeeding? Guests and hosts: Charlotte Howard, US editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief Kennett Werner, Washington correspondent Norm Eisen, co-founder of Democracy Defenders Fund Ned Foley, director of election law at Ohio State University Topics covered: Election interference ICE agents at polls The process for seating the House 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.

This week, Muhammad bin Salman, crown prince of Saudi Arabia, was forced to postpone his annual investment summit. His other big bets on the kingdom’s future are also floundering. Sam Bankman-Fried, a crypto-billionaire supporter of effective altruism, calls our correspondent from prison. And things look hazy in Singapore and other Asian countries. Guests and host: Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentShera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondentVishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: MBS, Saudi, Davos in the desert, Future Investment InitiativeSam Bankman-Fried, FTX, effective altruismIndonesia, Singapore, wildfires, El NiñoListen 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.

Sam Bankman-Fried was the poster child for effective altruism. Before his arrest, he had done more than anyone to promote the movement. Today, no one has done more damage. Yet, in Silicon Valley, EAs (as adherents are known) are everywhere. Should you worry that a philosophy that inspired the man behind one of America’s largest frauds has taken root in the world’s most important firms? We ask Bankman-Fried himself. We also speak to one of the founding fathers of the EA movement. Guests and hosts: Sam Bankman-Fried, former CEO of FTX Toby Ord, co-founder of Giving What We Can Shera Avi-Yonah, The Economist’s US business correspondent Ethan Wu, co-host of “Money Talks” Alice Fulwood, co-host of “Money Talks” Topics covered: Effective Altruism AI Silicon Valley

Donald Trump’s administration is turning against Ukraine. But as European powers confront trouble at home, they are struggling to replace American support. Are US private science institutions entering a golden age? And the climb in art crime. Guests and host: Anton La Guardia, diplomatic editorShera Avi-Yonah, US business correspondentVendeline von Bredow, senior Germany correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Ukraine, Witkoff, ZelenksyScientific research, National Science FoundationArt theft, Louvre, Museum for Applied ArtListen 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.

Mathematics has been turned on its head by artificial intelligence. On October 6th, OpenAI released a torrent of more than 700 papers claiming progress on 372 problems—pushing mathematicians into strange new territory. The “mathpocalypse” could be a warning shot for the rest of science, about how AI could upend their disciplines. Or is there, in fact, lots to be cheerful about? A new scientific revolution in the offing? Over the next four episodes, we’ll bring you conversations with scientists who are deploying these intelligent new tools—people who are thinking about how it could reinvent the way they discover new things and understand the world. Next time: the biologists using foundation models to generate new life. Guests and hosts: - James Maynard of the University of Oxford - Yang-Hui He of the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences - Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor Hear more about the new generation of mathematical machines in our May 2026 episode, “Maths enters its AI era”. Topics covered: - Mathematics - Artificial intelligence - Scientific discovery 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.

What started as student protests ballooned into national lawlessness. The disorder plays into the hands of France’s political extremes; expect more of it. In Zimbabwe white farmers are returning to work land taken by Robert Mugabe a quarter-century ago. And our columnist considers the delicate wording that might indemnify AI firms if the bots happen to wipe out humanity. Guests and host: Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chiefJohn McDermott, chief Africa correspondentAndrew Palmer, “Bartleby” columnistJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: France riots, French politicsZimbabwe, agriculture, white farmersAI, extinction-level events, legalese, parodyListen 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.

Be warned: “Taiwan Travelogue” will make you hungry. The novel, which won this year’s International Booker Prize, is a fictional travel diary set in 1930s Taiwan, when the island was under Japanese rule. Yang Shuang-Zi, the book’s author, uses food as a way to explore female desire, her native island’s complex history and Taiwanese identity. We sat down with Ms Yang and Lin King, the book’s English translator, to find out what a work of historical fiction reveals about Taiwan today––and about attitudes towards colonialism in East Asia. Guests and hosts: Yang Shuang-Zi, author of “Taiwan Travelogue” Lin King, English translator of “Taiwan Travelogue” Jeremy Page, co-host of “Drum Tower” Sarah Wu, co-host of “Drum Tower” Topics covered: Taiwanese literature Yang Shuang-Zi “Taiwan Travelogue” 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.

The province of Alberta will vote on secession today. It is unlikely to go ahead, but the separatist vibe is just one of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s many headaches. Our correspondent examines China’s efforts toward brain-computer interfaces, finding the country is closing the gap with America. And Britain’s “bug superhighways” link up the shrinking number of lush insect habitats. Guests and host: Robert Russo, Canada writerDon Weinland, China business and finance editorBella King, news editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Canada, Alberta, separatists, referendumChina, brain-computer interfacesBritain, insects, conservationListen 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.

Can a nostalgic throwback also be a bold urban planning experiment? The Disney Corporation thought so. In 1996 they built the town of Celebration, Florida as a model neighborhood blending the traditional charm of old-town life with radical urban design. On its 30th anniversary, Leo Mirani visits “the town that Disney built” to ask whether the experiment worked. Topics covered: Disney Celebration, Florida New urbanism Suburbia Links to articles: Celebration in 2016 Epcot 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 [email protected]. Read more about how we are using AI.

In recent weeks, AI has solved hundreds of previously unanswered maths problems. Our correspondents ask if machines can do the same in other areas of science and what role human researchers may play. Why crisps are getting chunkier and chocolate chewier. And celebrating the life and work of author Annie Dillard. Watch extended clips from Insider here. Guests and host: Alex Hern, AI writerAlok Jha, science editorAvantika Chilkoti, global business writerAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Scientific research, mathpocalypse, AI Crisps, snacks, texture, crunchtokAnnie Dillard, nature, obituaryListen 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.

Across America, data centres are popping up at startling speed. Voters aren’t happy. Why have data centres become a political bogeyman? And what does this reveal about wider public anxiety over AI? Guests and hosts: John Prideaux, executive editor James Bennet, Lexington columnist Shashank Joshi, Washington bureau chief Archie Hall, acting economics editor Topics covered: Data centres in Ohio How politicians are approaching the topic Public anxiety about AI 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.

Under Alice Weidel’s leadership the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a right-wing populist party, has been riding high. A series of successes in state elections have brought it closer than ever to power at national level. Ms Weidel is perhaps best known for her calls for “remigration” and criticism of Germany’s support for Ukraine. She spoke to The Economist’s editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, for The Insider, our video show for premium subscribers. Hear their conversation in full. Watch the show—and sign up to the Insider newsletter. 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.

Their struggles to get jobs or buy homes once propelled political movements. Now many millennials are out-earning their parents and in positions of power. Our correspondent explains the transformation. Sophisticated tech tools are being used to sway voters in Israel. And why you should hold your tongue to high standards. Guests and host: Callum Williams, senior economics writerAnshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentBella King, digital news editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Millennials, home ownership, unemployment Israel, election, NetanyahuTongue-scrapers, dental hygieneListen 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.