The Intelligence from The Economist

Latest Episodes:

I, robot? AI and consciousness Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

The rise of generative AI has put new urgency into ancient questions. What is consciousness, and can machines ever have it? We dive into the data that reveal a surge in sexually transmitted infections in Europe. And our obituaries editor considers the life of Mary de Rachewiltz, translator and tireless defender of her father, Ezra Pound.

Watch extended clips from Insider here.

Guests and host:

Alok Jha, science & technology editor
Stephen Hurford, newsdesk writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

AI, consciousness
sexual health, STIs, STDs, Europe
Mary de Rachewiltz, Ezra Pound

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An interview with Yuval Noah Harari Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Yuval Noah Harari is a big-ideas guy. Known for penning tomes that tackle broad sweeps of history, the historian-cum-philosopher has now turned his attention to AI. He joins Zanny Minton Beddoes, The Economist’s editor-in-chief, for The Insider, our video show for premium subscribers. They discuss why Mr Harari believes AIs will come to control civilisation—and what it might mean to be human in that world.

Watch the full show—and sign up to the Insider newsletter.

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Bombs and bombshells: Zelensky under pressure Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

From anti-corruption probes to a disgruntled ex-minister calling for elections to disrupted grain shipments, headaches are mounting for Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. China has until now coped with a patchy, pricey system for mental-health treatment. The government is now getting serious about plugging the gaps. And why a debate over “Paw Patrol” is more than just culture-war madness.

Guests and host:

Oliver Carroll, Ukraine correspondent
Sarah Wu, China correspondent
Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Ukraine war, Volodymyr Zelensky, Mykhailo Fedorov
China, CCP, mental health
Paw Patrol, culture wars

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Wake-up haul: an Ozempic moment for the brain Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Orexins are peptides involved in the body’s sleep-wake system—and are big pharma’s next big thing. Like multi-purpose GLPs, they may have far more uses than just regulating shuteye. We ask why Japan’s post-war innovation boom petered out, and what must be done to breed more unicorns. And why procrastination seems to be on the rise, and how to beat it.

Guests and host:

Shailesh Chitnis, global business correspondent
Ethan Wu, Asia business and finance editor
Benjamin Sutherland, science writer
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

orexins, peptides, sleep disorders, pharmaceuticals
Japan, innovation, startups
procrastination

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Settler bet: a West Bank flashpoint Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

Israeli settlers have been clashing more and more with Palestinians in the West Bank, often with government backing. We examine the forces at play in what could soon be yet another battlefront. India’s proliferating civil codes are creating insuperable legal contradictions for a multi-faith people. And answering some letters addressed to our “agony uncle” columnist.

Guests and host:

Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent
Kira Huju, Asia correspondent
Andrew Palmer, executive editor
Jason Palmer (no relation), co-host of “The Intelligence”
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

West Bank, Palestinians, Israeli settlers, Israel election
India, civil codes, Hindu nationalism
management, advice

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It’s not easy being Green: Zack Polanski Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

To critics, the Green Party leader is dangerous, even a con man. To fans, he is a national saviour-in-waiting. Our correspondent meets him to see what is behind the hype. So-called SpudCells have just seven bespoke DNA loops, but represent a revolutionary step toward life made from scratch. And the many ways travel agents still beat the bots.

Guests and host:

Andrew Miller, special correspondent
Oliver Morton, planetary affairs editor
Caitlin Talbot, culture correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Zack Polanski, Green Party
SpudCells, synthetic biology
travel agents, luxury travel

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Afghanistan, five years on: our correspondent visits Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Five years after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban show little sign of moderation. Our correspondent reports from the country on what life is like for ordinary people. A giant earthquake reveals two very different Colombias. And celebrating the life of Gurkha climber, Nirmal Purja, who died in an avalanche.

Watch extended clips from Insider here, plus the full Elon Musk interview.

Guests and host:

Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief
Claire McQue, Latin America writer
Ann Wroe, obituaries editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Afghanistan, Taliban, sanctions
Colombia, earthquake, Espriella
Nirmal Purja, mountaineer, Everest, avalanche

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Caracas under pressure: democracy in Venezuela Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

After American troops snatched Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a dawn raid in January, democracy did not seem like a priority. Yet this week, talks between the regime and opposition ended with small, positive steps. Why US consumers’ love of fast food may be slowing. And how many hours of Wagner opera would you sit through?

Guests and host:

Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondent
Shera Avi-Yonah, business correspondent
Brook Unger, senior digital editor
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

Venezuela, Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez, Machado
Fast food, McDonalds, burgers
Wagner, “Ring” cycle, classical music

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Pump and circumstance: is China the new OPEC? Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

The Iran war triggered the largest supply shock in the history of petroleum, yet prices never rose as high as feared. Our correspondent explains how action taken by China steadied global oil flows. Why Brazil has such strict laws on racist language. And the legendary lager of Laos.

Guests and host:

Matthieu Favas, commodities editor
Ana Lankes, Brazil bureau chief
Vishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondent
Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”

Topics covered:

China, Iran, oil supplies, OPEC, crude
Brazil, hate speech, racism
Laos, Beerlao, beer, lager

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist.

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Spring, then fall: a weakened Muslim Brotherhood Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

The Muslim Brotherhood won power and influence in the Arab Spring of 2011. Now autocrats are resurgent and its leaders are in jail or exile. Elon Musk says Europe is more dangerous than America. Is he right? And the puzzling popularity of padel.

Guests and host: