Latest Interviews
Showing 1–4 of 4 transcripts.
Clear all filters- The Economist16 min
How AI is revolutionising science
Bear, Andy Davis, Alex Zarankov, Emily Shuckborough, Adi Rakhoum, Andy Cooper, Alok Jha
Generative AI is revolutionizing scientific discovery by accelerating drug development, exemplified by Insilico Medicine's rapid creation of an IPF treatment, while simultaneously advancing climate modeling and animal communication research through sophisticated pattern recognition. Autonomous robotic labs and tools like AlphaFold are further democratizing innovation by processing vast datasets and conducting thousands of experiments, though this surge in capability has triggered significant concerns regarding research integrity and AI-generated fraud. As investment flows into these multidisciplinary fields, the industry faces critical challenges in establishing robust data standards and regulations to ensure these tools achieve the projected "golden age" of discovery without compromising scientific validity.
- The Economist14 min
How gene editing could reduce the cost of cosmetics
Sunil Chandran, Jason Kelly, Alok Jha
Biotech firms like Amaris and Ginkgo are rapidly scaling the production of cosmetic ingredients through synthetic biology, currently supplying the majority of the global squalane market while securing contracts to engineer novel scents and fragrances. This shift replaces unsustainable extraction methods that endanger shark populations and deplete natural resources, offering companies the potential for 50% cost savings alongside regulatory advantages in the US and EU. Beyond ingredient sourcing, the sector is increasingly leveraging engineered microbes to address industry-wide waste challenges, such as breaking down the 120 billion units of single-use packaging generated annually.
- The Economist10 min
Alien life: are we about to find it?
Driven by a decade of technological advancement, the scientific community is shifting from sci-fi speculation to rigorous analysis with the James Webb Space Telescope and upcoming 40-meter ground-based observatories poised to detect biosignatures like oxygen on Earth-like exoplanets. Despite the light-lag constraint making intelligent technosignatures unlikely to be verified soon, researchers are prioritizing the identification of liquid water and biological markers on targets such as Teegarden B. Experts project that these initiatives will either confirm the existence of extraterrestrial life within ten years or fundamentally alter our understanding of life's rarity in the universe.
- The Economist12 min
Covid-19: more questions about coronavirus, answered
Ed Carr, Alok Jha, Edward Carr
Policymakers and economic analysts are addressing the severe trade-off between strict disease containment and deepening economic contraction, with US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin warning that unemployment could reach 20% without intervention. The event evaluates the likely L-shaped recession trajectory while examining how global aid, healthcare disparities, and the virus's seasonal mutation patterns will shape long-term recovery. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation to restore scientific trust and accelerate vaccine development within an 18-to-24-month window despite rising nationalistic trends.