Latest Interviews
Showing 76–90 of 497 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist7 min
Finland’s president: are Europe and America’s interests still aligned?| The Economist
Alexander Stubb, Donald Trump, David Rennie
Recent US policy shifts driven by MAGA ideology and an "America First" pecking order have inflicted irreparable damage on transatlantic morale, despite maintaining strategic alignment on Arctic defense and containing Russian influence in Europe. While Finland has bolstered its self-reliant military with conscription and advanced weaponry, the alliance remains fragile due to lingering US control over critical assets like long-range missiles and Starlink capabilities. Bilateral cooperation continues through massive joint exercises in Northern Norway and Finnish acquisition plans, yet the relationship risks escalation if diplomatic off-ramps at venues like Davos fail to prevent trade wars or military threats over issues such as Greenland.
- Goldman Sachs16 min
The New AI Trades
In early 2026, software stocks suffered a 25% valuation collapse as forward earnings multiples compressed, while investors grappled with AI-driven disruption risks across sectors like legal and media. Simultaneously, five U.S. hyperscalers are projected to spend $660 billion on capital expenditures this year, a surge consuming 90% of their operating cash flows that has forced reduced buybacks and increased debt reliance. Amidst these headwinds, Goldman Sachs forecasts an S&P 500 recovery driven primarily by 12% fourth-quarter earnings growth and a market rotation toward cyclical sectors rather than AI-centric leaders.
- The Economist6 min
How to protect your investments from an AI bubble | The Economist
Investor sentiment regarding artificial intelligence has shifted from optimism to apprehension as analysts draw parallels between current valuations and historical technology bubbles where share prices vastly outpaced earnings. While traditional hedges like bonds and gold have proven unreliable during recent market turbulence, experts highlight high-dividend and low-volatility equities as more effective defensive strategies. Ultimately, the prevailing consensus advises against timing exits during downturns, reinforcing a long-term "buy and hold" approach as the most robust method for navigating potential market corrections.
- The Economist10 min
What would Kevin Warsh’s Federal Reserve look like? | The Economist
Kevin Warsh, Zanny Minton Beddoes, Edward Carr, Henry, Zannie, Archie
President Trump has nominated former Federal Reserve Governor Kevin Warsh as the next Chair, contingent on the White House removing a Senate blockade led by Senator Tom Tillis regarding the investigation into current Chair Jerome Powell. Warsh's proposed strategy, termed "Warshonomics," seeks to lower interest rates by coupling an anticipated AI-driven productivity surge with balance sheet contraction to offset inflationary risks, despite his historical reputation as a hawk. While experts predict Warsh will implement a slightly more dovish policy yielding one or two rate cuts, his ability to align the FOMC with President Trump's demands remains a significant governance risk complicated by potential political backlash.
- a16z11 min
The Story Behind ElevenLabs | Interview with CEO Mati Staniszewski
Mati Staniszewski, Piotr, Jennifer
Co-founders Jacek (Marty) and Piotr launched Eleven Labs in early 2021 to pioneer the "vocal Turing test" by synthesizing AI that matches human emotion and intonation, a mission that propelled the remote-first startup from a two-person team to over 300 employees in 11 cities. The company operates under a flat, title-free hierarchy driven by "mini-founders" and high autonomy, allowing it to rapidly scale its proprietary research into multimodal products like Voice Design V3 and Studio 3.0. By integrating direct product feedback loops with raw audio training, Eleven Labs aims to establish voice as the primary computer interface that transcends language barriers and delivers genuine emotional connection.
- Goldman Sachs16 min
Poppi Founders: Disrupting the Beverage Industry
Stephen Ellsworth, Vanya Kasanof, Allison
Founders Allison and Steven transformed their apple cider vinegar discovery into Poppy, a modern soda brand that leveraged aggressive marketing tactics like a record-breaking Super Bowl campaign and strategic Amazon launches to bypass traditional industry barriers. Prioritizing long-term brand awareness and cultural agility over immediate sales metrics, the team executed rapid product iterations and viral content strategies that ultimately drove the company toward a two-year acquisition by Pepsi. This sale secured the distribution scale necessary to fulfill the founders' mission of revolutionizing soda consumption, successfully transitioning the brand from a niche startup to a mainstream competitor for the next generation.
- The Economist9 min
Is ICE a threat to American democracy?
President Trump's administration has aggressively expanded federal authority by deploying militarized agents to enforce immigration policies, culminating in the fatal shooting of an unarmed nurse and the establishment of unchecked executive control over enforcement actions. While a recent poll shows 92% of respondents view ICE as a threat to democracy, discussion leaders emphasize that only legal accountability for lethal officers, rather than public outrage or "supine" congressional action, can effectively halt this erosion of democratic norms. As the administration continues to pursue political retribution beyond statutory mandates, the critical challenge for the coming year remains whether institutions and civil society will force a confrontation to prevent the normalization of these unchecked executive powers.
- The Economist8 min
Why civil war is brewing in Iran
Iran is currently experiencing a violent "quiet civil war" where the state and royalist factions have polarized following a shift from peaceful protest to extreme bloodshed driven by economic collapse. The conflict features mutual accusations of foreign mercenary involvement and the sidelining of traditional democratic leaders in favor of armed mobilization, even as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remains isolated while exiled figures and tribal groups prepare further escalation. This escalating crisis, occurring amidst potential U.S. military intervention, threatens to plunge the Islamic Republic into an unpredictable transition that could result in either Revolutionary Guard dominance or a prolonged struggle for power.
- Goldman Sachs16 min
How AI is Driving Drug Discovery: Xaira Therapeutics' Marc Tessier Lavigne
Marc Tessier Lavigne, Sonia Gupta
Zara Therapeutics CEO Mark Tessier Levine is applying a three-pillar strategy combining AI-driven design, massive-scale biology, and clinical experience to disrupt an industry where 90% of drug candidates currently fail. By leveraging frontier models from David Baker and over $1 billion in funding, the company targets undruggable proteins and aims to reduce development timelines from five years to under two. This approach shifts the paradigm from intuitive trial-and-error to a systematic, in silico process designed to fundamentally increase clinical success rates.
- The Economist9 min
Why are ICE agents targeting Minneapolis?
The administration targeted the Democratic stronghold of Minneapolis for immigration enforcement to politically polarize voters and challenge officials like Governor Tim Walz, despite the city's small immigrant population creating logistical challenges for meeting enforcement quotas. This strategy follows disputed border agent shootings, including the killing of Alex Preti, where conflicting narratives between officials and video evidence have fueled public opposition and shifted polling toward abolishing ICE. As Minnesota leaders face federal investigations and federal agents preempt local inquiries, escalating tensions between state and federal authorities are driving potential government shutdowns while large protests continue in freezing conditions to contest the administration's monopoly on defining the facts.
- The Economist9 min
Could the world move away from the dollar?
Rachana Shanbhogue, Henry Curr, Gita Gopinath, Kenneth Rogoff, Peter
China's decoupling from the dollar, combined with sanctions on Russia and rising US debt levels, is accelerating a global shift toward diversifying reserve assets away from the United States. While the Euro and Renminbi are gaining traction in specific trade blocs, the transition remains gradual despite warnings of potential financial instability driven by US political polarization and a public default threat from the Trump administration. Global markets have thus far absorbed trade tensions without major financial contagion, though a tipping point could trigger a rapid restructuring of the international currency system if US institutional credibility continues to erode.
- Milken Institute6 min
LeadersLink Anjee Davis
Founded in 2005 by Nancy Roach, FIGHT Colorectal Cancer has expanded its advocacy operations to over 25 staff while addressing the disease's status as the second leading cause of cancer deaths. The organization recently pivoted to the "Leaders Link" initiative, launching a specialized AI digital tool that delivers guideline-aligned information on colorectal diagnosis and treatment while navigating technical maintenance challenges through strategic vendor partnerships. Current priorities emphasize disseminating this resource to health systems and professional associations, alongside the Leaders Link mentorship program which connects participants with diverse innovation strategies to enhance community support.
- The Economist9 min
Iran’s former crown prince on its potential path to democracy
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Reza Pahlavi
During a period characterized as a revolution rather than a protest, a self-styled neutral arbiter proposes establishing a temporary government to replace Iran's current regime with a democratic system based on secular governance and territorial integrity. This transition plan includes immediate nuclear program abandonment to lift sanctions, a constitutional referendum process, and the potential integration of an economically reformed Iran with Israel to ensure regional stability. Proponents argue that the movement, supported by street chants and diaspora experience, seeks to dismantle a corrupt elite while offering all citizens the prospect of greater wealth through transparent economic policies.
- The Economist9 min
How Trump’s Venezuela raid is helping China's Taiwan battle plans
Following a U.S. strike on Venezuela, Chinese military leadership is analyzing the operation to refine "decapitation" capabilities against Taiwan's leadership, a strategy intensified by lessons from Russia's Ukraine campaign. Although Beijing has expanded a mock-up of Taiwan's government complex in northern China and conducted massive "Justice Mission 2025" drills to simulate precise sanctions, the PLA acknowledges current gaps in joint operational integration required for such complex attacks. This strategic evaluation aims to prepare for a full capability target date of 2027 while assessing whether the U.S. raid might distract American focus from containing Beijing's long-term ambitions.
- The Economist9 min
Why Israel is closely watching the Iran protests
Anshel Pfeffer, Jason Palmer, Eva
Following a twelve-day war in June, intensified protests and economic instability in Iran threaten to shatter the regime's hold on power while prompting leadership concerns over potential external retaliation to divert attention. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is maintaining a low-profile strategy of strategic patience, allowing internal Iranian dynamics to unfold rather than launching immediate military strikes. This approach aims to facilitate long-term geopolitical shifts, including the eventual erosion of Iran's proxy network and the potential for a future strategic alliance that could end decades of hostility.