
Advertise on podcast: Power and Consequences
Rating
4.5from
This podcast has
35 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Third Clumber ProductionsExplicit
No
Date created
2026/02/23
Latest episode
2026/10/19
Average duration
44 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
Every day seems to bring unprecedented news in the political sphere. But what exactly is happening, what is most important, and what is likely to stick around or provoke backslash? Professors Gary Gensler (former SEC chair) and Simon Johnson (Nobel Prize-winning economist) tackle a single policy topic each week, explaining how the events of today will affect you tomorrow.
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Check latest episodes from Power and Consequences podcast
Episode 34: Where Is the Global Economic Cycle Headed?
2026/10/19
Gary and Simon discuss the global economic cycle in the wake of IMF / World Bank annual meeting. Are growth and income still heading in a positive direction or is a worldwide slowdown imminent? With interest rates rising, high stock market valuations, inflation persistent, energy prices elevated, and unsustainable federal deficits, there are signs of growing economic and financial fragility in numerous economies currently dependent on the AI boom. Could we be facing a potential repeat of the bust after the Internet investment boom of the late 1990s? Or from the housing boom of 2005–8? While all global economic upswings share happy similarities, each global economic downswing is unhappy in its own way.
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 33: The IMF Annual Meetings - Why Should You Care?
2026/10/12
Gary and Simon discuss the IMF / World Bank October annual meetings, why they matter and the history of these multilateral organizations. What do the world’s leading central bankers, finance ministers, and economic policy actors come together to discuss? What are the US, Europe, China & the Global South looking to achieve? Will there be any relevant action on continued energy price shocks; global sovereign debt levels, inflation, or AI’s economic effects? Will the US succeed in narrowing the World Bank's consideration of climate change when lending, and might other nations make progress on efforts to revise IMF quotas and voting - possibly diminishing US and Europe’s influence over IMF decisions?
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 32: How Much Trouble is Europe In?
2026/10/05
Gary and Simon explore the economic & political challenges facing Europe, tackling the impact of the Euro and the tensions arising from immigration and energy dependence. Why hasn't the EU's project to create a unified economy fully succeeded? Why have Europe's capital markets remained fragmented and how has the Euro possibly held Europe back? What has led to the rise of nationalist, euro-sceptic, anti-immigration political parties and what does it mean for Europe’s future? As Europe has fallen behind US IT for decades now, what will the rise of AI mean for Europe and its challenges?
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 31: Should We Slow AI Development? Can We?
2026/09/28
Gary and Simon discuss whether we should slow the development of AI and can we slow its pace? They explore AI's capabilities, limitations, and characteristics which have led to growing real world risks. Unpacking OpenAI's recent Hugging Face incident, they analyze the challenges of aligning AI with human intentions. Will the US be able to get ahead of these risks? Will China cooperate on developing policy regulations for AI?
This is the second part in a two-part series focusing on artificial intelligence. The first part, "What Are We Getting With All These Data Centers?" is available to listen to now.
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 30: What Are We Getting With All These Data Centers?
2026/09/21
Gary and Simon dive into the important topic of the big data centers building boom, particularly for artificial intelligence. No building boom lasts forever. When the slowdown comes, what will be the economic and financial markets consequences? What are the effects on electricity prices, water use, the environment and local communities?
This is first of a two part series - next week's discussion will be: Should we (or can we) slow the development of AI?
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 29: What Happened to Japan?
2026/09/14
Gary and Simon discuss Japan, examining its rise as a global economic powerhouse post-World War II, the valuation bubble that popped in 1990, and the policy mistakes contributing to the ‘lost three decades’ since. What are the lessons from Japan which might apply to China or the United States today? Further, why has the US Treasury recently intervened recently to support the Japanese Yen and how do Japanese policies affect US interest rates?
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 28: Does the Fed Have Inflation Under Control?
2026/09/07
Gary and Simon discuss the complexities of inflation and the Federal Reserve's role in managing it. What effect do political pressures have on the Fed's decision-making process? How does inflation impact financial markets and you?
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 27: When Will the Iran War End?
2026/08/31
Gary & Simon discuss the ongoing Iran war. When is it realistic for the conflict to end? What are the impacts on energy prices, inflation, the economy, and mid-term elections? Will tougher economic sanctions work to end the conflict? What are the geopolitical dynamics and negotiating strategies for Iran, US, Gulf countries, Israel, and China?
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 26: What Is The Bond Market Saying?
2026/08/24
Simon and Gary discuss the recent increase in long-term interest rates. How will this affect the federal government budget? Will mortgages, credit cards, and auto loans become more expensive? Is this a sign of deeper concerns in the bond market? What is likely to happen next?
A video version of Power and Consequences is now available on YouTube. Please visit that channel also for additional short content.
For bonus thoughts and recommended reading for each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also recently co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 25: What Will AI Do To Jobs?
2026/08/17
Simon and Gary discuss the relationship between artificial intelligence and labor. How will AI change productivity levels? Will changes in productivity be distributed fairly? And should the history of technology make us optimistic or pessimistic about what comes next?
For bonus thoughts on each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 24: Does Science Matter?
2026/08/10
Simon and Gary unpack science funding, tackling the value of basic science, the different roles that the government and private backers play, and the serious effects of the current decrease in U.S. government funding.
For bonus thoughts on each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 23: Is The Global Dollar System In Decline?
2026/08/03
Simon and Gary dive into how the U.S. dollar became the currency hegemon, how this status influences the actions of countries around the world, and what it would take for another currency to become the standard.
For bonus thoughts on each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 22: Is The U.S. Federal Debt Unsustainable?
2026/07/27
Simon and Gary discuss the cyclic history of the U.S. federal debt, why the current debt situation is unique, and what can be done to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio.
For bonus thoughts on each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 21: Is the Supreme Court Weakening U.S. Institutions?
2026/07/20
Simon and Gary unpack key decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court's most recent term, tackling the impacts of presidential supremacy, birthright citizenship, and tariffs, among other issues.
For bonus thoughts on each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Episode 20: What are the Consequences of the AI Race?
2026/07/13
In the second episode of a two-part series, Simon and Gary discuss how the AI race is affecting countries that aren't currently investing in their own models, how those countries could still create a version of AI sovereignty for themselves, and what the consequences might be for them if they don't.
For bonus thoughts on each episode, visit powerandconsequences.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter!
Host bios:
Gary Gensler, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is Professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management, and Professor of the Practice of Finance, at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, finance, and economic policy. He previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Chair of the Maryland Financial Consumer Protection Commission, and Senior Advisor to Senator Paul Sarbanes. Earlier, Gensler was at Goldman Sachs for 18 years, where he became a partner.
Simon Johnson, a 2024 Nobel laureate in economics and former Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, is the Ronald A. Kurtz Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan School of Management, head of its Global Economics and Management group, and Co-Director of MIT’s Stone Center for Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work. He co-chairs the CFA Institute Systemic Risk Council and is an AI Ambassador for the UK. Simon is the author of 13 Bankers, Jump-Starting America, and Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
Gary & Simon also co-edited, with Ugo Panizza and Beatrice Weder di Mauro, The Economic Consequences of the Second Trump Administration.
Podcast reviews
Read Power and Consequences podcast reviews
Portor503 2026/10/17
Exceptional podcast!!!
Podcast strikes an impressive balance with nuanced econ/policy commentary but also giving nice background info for those less familiar with content
yashgoy41 2026/09/21
Incredible Resource
Two really smart people explaining tough concepts and helping us understand our current times.
perspective1 2026/09/05
Fantastic podcast
Thank you for this fantastic podcast. It is such a refreshing listen. Please keep it going!
pennytpupp 2026/08/23
Very informative
I stumble onto this podcast and I’m very glad I did. It features really interesting discussions between two very knowledgeable men with slightly diffe...
Dzy f 2026/03/26
Crooked Gary
Gary Gisler is a liar a fraud, he works for the bank not our best interest. He doesn’t support innovation. He protect the gatekeepers hey Gary, why d...
@Rohwit 2026/03/14
Thought leaders and great teachers on a Pod!
With 4.5 million podcasts around, you will thank that you came through this. Nuanced, full of disclaimers (In case of Gary) and a great round up of th...
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