Latest Interviews
Showing 16–20 of 20 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist10 min
What is the future of the UN?
Anton La Guardia, Jason Palmer
Amidst its 80th anniversary and severe funding crises driven by potential US abandonment, the United Nations faces existential threats from eroding border sanctity and budget cuts forcing agencies to reduce spending by up to one-third. While a French-led coalition recently recognized a Palestinian state to offer symbolic momentum, the organization's future remains uncertain as it navigates three divergent scenarios: becoming a rogue entity separated from Washington, decaying into a shrunken but bureaucratic shell, or being reshaped into a transactional tool for American leadership. Ultimately, experts warn that a strategic vacuum left by US withdrawal could allow Russia and China to dominate global diplomacy, despite the independent continuity of technical agencies like the ICAE and IAEA.
- The Economist11 min
Can AI supercharge global economic growth?
This analysis contrasts historical economic growth rates of less than 3% annually with Silicon Valley's theoretical projections of 20–30% expansion driven by universal AI task automation. The discussion evaluates the feasibility of these outcomes by weighing technical and regulatory bottlenecks against labor market shifts, capital allocation dynamics, and the divergence between soaring equity valuations and subdued long-term interest rates. Unlike the internet era, which primarily delivered consumer value without immediate GDP acceleration, AI's potential to accelerate knowledge creation and robotics could uniquely reshape long-term living standards if infrastructure constraints are overcome.
- The Economist7 min
Is McKinsey losing its crown to AI?
McKinsey is grappling with stalled revenue growth and a 20% shrinkage in its market lead over Boston Consulting Group following significant workforce reductions and a strategic pivot toward digital capabilities. This erosion of dominance coincides with encroachment from technology firms like Palantir and OpenAI, which are bypassing traditional advisory models by directly deploying engineers to implement AI solutions. The industry now faces a structural transformation where AI threatens to commoditize junior-level analytical work, forcing firms to redefine their value proposition against emerging self-service client capabilities.
- The Economist9 min
Has Zelensky made a strategic blunder?
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed emergency legislation transferring control of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office to the Presidential Office following a rapid, coerced parliamentary vote. The maneuver sparked unprecedented wartime protests in Kyiv and strained relations with Western allies who view these agencies as vital for NATO and EU integration. Facing intense domestic and international backlash, Zelensky subsequently reversed his position and announced plans to draft a new law intended to restore the agencies' independence.
- The Economist19 min
Canuck of the draw: Canada’s election campaigns
Rosie Bloor, Jason Palmer, Rob Russo, Aaron Connelly, Alexandra Sewich-Bass
Following Justin Trudeau's resignation, Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to victory in the April 28th snap election by pivoting to economic pragmatism while leveraging a two-horse race against Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives that focused on managing the geopolitical threat of Donald Trump. Simultaneously, China maintained a hardline diplomatic stance in the South China Sea, utilizing strategic pressure on regional partners like India and Australia while avoiding conciliatory negotiations due to President Xi Jinping's centralized control over foreign policy. These political shifts occurred alongside a surge in dystopian fiction sales and cultural analysis, as works like Leila Lalami's *The Dream Hotel* reflected society's increasing acceptance of mass surveillance and risk-based governance in response to domestic instability.