Latest Interviews
Showing 1051–1065 of 1,089 transcripts.
Clear all filters- Milken Institute1h 1m
Can Technology Revamp the Learning Process?
Adam Nordean, Mike Moe, Nolan Bushnell, Ron Packard, John Barber
This event details the rapid evolution of the education technology sector, where annual investments have surged to exceed $1 billion with major Silicon Valley firms and platforms like Khan Academy and Coursera delivering millions of course completions. Speakers highlight how brain science integration and adaptive algorithms are shifting education from rigid age-based cohorts to personalized, mastery-driven models that can reduce operational costs by up to 80%. Despite facing bureaucratic hurdles and the high stakes of student debt, industry leaders predict a fundamental breakdown of traditional school structures within three years, driven by global scalability and a new focus on quantifiable Return on Education.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
Impact Investing: The Art of the Deal
Dave Chen, N. Lee, Sari Miller, Eitan Stibbe, Martha Minowski, Ann Coopermann, Chip, Andy Cooper
A panel of global investment leaders from Equilibrium Capital Group, Impact Investment Exchange, LeapFrog, and Vital Capital convened to define impact investing as a practice where intentional social and environmental outcomes are non-negotiable components of the investment thesis alongside market-rate or preservation returns. The discussion detailed practical execution strategies, ranging from complex financing structures like convertible notes and tax equity flips to rigorous measurement frameworks such as GEARS that rejected 40% of opportunities due to social and environmental risks. By highlighting specific case studies in micro-insurance, African agro-industrial centers, and US real estate, the panel demonstrated how practitioners mitigate mission drift and generate sustainable alpha through deep community integration and strategic capital stacking.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Building the Apps Economy
Kara Swisher, John Malloy, Diane, Mike Mandel, Ray Sharma
A 2012 analysis reveals that the U.S. app economy generated over 81 billion downloads and 500,000 jobs, a growth rate far exceeding traditional software sectors and driven primarily by enterprise adoption. The industry is rapidly shifting from simple downloads to complex "freemium" monetization models and location-based services, despite significant regulatory challenges regarding privacy and sector-specific oversight. Looking forward, market consolidation and emerging technologies like augmented reality are expected to transform mobile computing into wearable interfaces, fundamentally altering how value is measured and delivered across healthcare, transportation, and retail.
- Milken Institute1h 4m
The Preschool Mandate: How Do We Get It Right?
Chaka Fattah, Mila Henn, Lisa Poon, Phyllis Stewart Pires, Elanna Yalow, Dara Erk
The event synthesizes neuroscientific data and economic research to argue for a federal "Preschool for All" initiative and corporate adoption of workplace childcare to address critical developmental gaps in children under five. Panelists examined specific implementations by leaders like President Obama, Cisco Systems, and the Cleveland Clinic, highlighting how early investment yields high returns while navigating challenges in workforce standards and accreditation. The discussion concluded with a consensus on the urgent need to reframe early education as essential infrastructure rather than mere childcare to secure future global economic competitiveness.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
3D Printing: The Industrial Imagination
Jamal, Avi Reikenthal, Peter Weimershausen, Mae Jemison
In a panel featuring industry leaders Avi Reikenthal of 3D Systems and Peter Weimershausen of Shapeways, additive manufacturing is defined as shifting from a developmental niche to a mass-customization engine capable of eliminating tooling costs and inventory through software democratization and rapid cost reduction. These experts highlight transformative applications ranging from Invisalign's 17 million patient-specific units to future advancements in multi-material printing and 4D self-assembly, though they also warn of emerging legal challenges regarding product liability and unregulated weapon production. The convergence of these technologies with robotics and AI is projected to trigger a U.S. manufacturing renaissance that reindustrializes supply chains by enabling a hybrid model where cloud-based factories handle complex production while consumer printers manage prototyping.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
Mobilizing the Immune System in the Battle Against Cancer
Arie Belldegrun, Michael Giordano, Jeff Rowbottom, Suzanne Topalian, Louise Perkins
Hosted by the Melanoma Research Alliance, the "Mobilizing the Immune System in the Battle Against Cancer" panel examines the critical transition from traditional chemotherapy to innovative immunotherapies that are driving unprecedented survival rates for melanoma and other malignancies. Experts detail how genetic engineering and checkpoint inhibitors have enabled durable remissions for late-stage patients while highlighting the urgent need for new regulatory frameworks and increased nonprofit funding to accelerate the development of super-personalized combination treatments. The discussion underscores a projected five-year transformation in oncology, emphasizing that converging scientific breakthroughs and global stakeholder collaboration are essential to address rising cancer mortality and realize a potential cure for previously resistant diseases.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
A Conversation with Larry King and Carlos Slim
Carlos Slim, a telecommunications magnate known for his disciplined approach to business and extensive philanthropy, attributes his success to an innate curiosity and a belief that wealth should serve as a tool for social development rather than an end goal. His economic analysis highlights unsustainable Western fiscal deficits, prompting proposals for structural reforms such as privatizing state assets and rethinking labor models, while his foundation actively advances global health and digital literacy through massive infrastructure projects in Latin America and Indonesia. Despite facing criticism regarding market dominance, Slim maintains that his operations are driven by efficiency and competition, viewing his survival of multiple life-threatening health crises as a testament to his philosophy that happiness is defined by a continuous "love for life."
- Milken Institute56 min
Power Shift: The Changing American Electorate
Joel Benenson, Harold Ford Jr., Frank Luntz, Dan Schnur, Matt Miller
A panel of political analysts examines how demographic shifts and a generational divide have restructured the American electorate around a "freedom vs. fairness" conflict, fundamentally altering the dynamics observed in the 2012 re-election of President Obama. The discussion highlights how institutional structures, including primary mechanics and the Senate filibuster, incentivize extreme polarization while eroding trust in corporations and the political system. Looking ahead to the 2014 midterms and future governance, the experts argue that successful leadership must emerge from outside traditional congressional channels to navigate ideological silos and address the specific economic and social anxieties of women and Latino voters.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
Debt and the Deficit: What's Really on the Table?
Steve, Bob Corker, Peter Hotez Jr., Dave Cody, Maya
A bipartisan panel of policymakers and business leaders, including Senators Bob Corker and Patty Murray and CEO Dave Coudy, warned that the U.S. fiscal trajectory is unsustainable due to entitlement costs and emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive tax and debt reforms before the September 15th deadline. The group outlined contrasting budget strategies from President Obama, Congressman Ryan, and others, ultimately agreeing that stabilizing the debt-to-GDP ratio requires eliminating tax loopholes and restructuring Medicare rather than relying on temporary sequestration cuts. Without direct presidential leadership to bridge partisan gridlock, experts predicted that failure to act by mid-September could trigger market instability and add trillions in future interest costs to the national debt.
- Milken Institute58 min
Evolution of Hedge Fund Investing: Institutional Investors Go Direct
Major institutional investors including AXA Investment Managers, AP3, CalPERS, and PGGM are shifting billions in hedge fund allocations from traditional fund-of-funds structures to direct managed accounts to reduce costs, eliminate middle layers, and gain control over portfolio construction. This strategic transition addresses operational risks exposed by the 2008 crisis and allows these entities to negotiate favorable fee terms while demanding specific exposures like alternative credit or systematic risk premiums previously unavailable. Consequently, these pension funds are building internal teams of varying sizes to manage daily stress testing and risk budgeting directly, thereby moving toward "fund of one" structures that offer customized liquidity and concentrated positions.
- Milken Institute1h 3m
Credit Markets: What's Next?
Maria Boyazny, Richard Cantor, Joshua Friedman, Tony Ressler, Steven Tananbaum, David Warren, Michael Milken, Steve Tannenbaum, Maria Boiasni, Mike Milken
Six prominent credit executives from firms like Ares, GoldenTree, and Moody's convened to analyze the current credit market cycle, balancing optimistic views on RMBS and European bank debt against warnings of rising leverage and potential defaults. The panelists identified specific undervalued opportunities in structured products and illiquid assets while debating the structural risks posed by re-leveraging and the Federal Reserve's balance sheet expansion. Ultimately, the discussion emphasized a shift toward dynamic tactical asset allocation to navigate an environment where investors face a trade-off between immediate compensation and anticipated market corrections.
- Milken Institute59 min
The Rise and Decline of Nations and Civilizations
Jared Diamond, Niall Ferguson, James Robinson, William Bennett
This analysis applies a non-linear theoretical framework to evaluate the divergent trajectories of the United States and China, identifying personal health crises, environmental degradation, and extractive institutions as primary drivers of societal collapse. While the U.S. retains structural advantages in soil fertility and federal innovation, it faces severe risks from political polarization, regulatory complexity, and civic atrophy, whereas China's rapid economic rise is constrained by an inability to transition from authoritarian governance and critical resource scarcity. The discussion concludes that future instability may stem from cyber warfare, external shocks, or a shift in the global locus of innovation toward China rather than a sudden, total collapse of either civilization.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
A Conversation with Barry Diller
Barry Diller, John Haskell, Jr., Brett Helen
Media veteran Barry Diller characterizes the internet as a radical revolution that will dismantle incumbent media bundles by removing intermediaries, a strategy he exemplifies by defending the legality of Aereo against broadcast lobbies. Diller distinguishes between surviving platforms like Netflix and HBO, which can thrive with standalone subscription models, and failing legacy structures such as newspapers and Best Buy that lack unique value propositions or pricing power. Ultimately, he argues that while established companies often resist change to protect closed systems, innovation driven by leaders who take massive risks remains the only viable path to survival in an increasingly open digital economy.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Pensions: The Real Fiscal Cliff
Brad Belt, Jeff, Brian Pellegrino, Larry Schloss, David Vila
This analysis contrasts the severe underfunding of U.S. public and corporate pensions, highlighting Illinois's $100 billion shortfall against Wisconsin's successful hybrid model that achieves 99.8% funding. While New York City struggles with governance failures and outsourced management costs despite rising contributions, the corporate sector increasingly adopts Liability-Driven Investment strategies and benefit redesigns to mitigate insolvency risks. Ultimately, the report concludes that investment returns alone cannot resolve multi-trillion dollar deficits, necessitating structural reforms such as COLA adjustments or increased contributions to prevent taxpayer bailouts or state bankruptcy.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Value and Values: Building a High-Performance Company
Mark Benioff, Ken Hicks, Walter Robb, Jay Rizzullo, Tom Wyatt, Willow
Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff, Whole Foods Co-CEO Walter Robb, Disney CFO Jay Rizzullo, Foot Locker's Ken Hicks, and Knowledge Universe CEO Tom Wyatt convened to discuss aligning corporate social responsibility with high-performance cultural strategies across their respective enterprises. The panelists detailed how empowering local decision-making, integrating philanthropy into operations, and enforcing ethical transparency have driven talent retention, brand loyalty, and financial resilience despite short-term investment pressures. Looking forward, the group emphasized that future market success depends on leveraging social technologies to rebuild legacy systems and maintaining radical accountability as consumer expectations shift toward ethical business models.