The end of the world is AI? An existential threat

About this episode

<p>Is <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2026/09/15/making-ai-safer-is-not-impossible-but-agreeing-to-do-so-may-be?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">artificial intelligence</a> becoming uncontrollably powerful? Our correspondent analyses whether a pause to breakneck development is possible or feasible. We have entered the new age of the <a href="https://www.economist.com/culture/2026/09/10/the-new-age-of-the-orator?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">orator</a>. And why <a href="https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/09/10/india-at-last-acquires-a-taste-for-cheese?utm_campaign=a.io&utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&utm_source=theintelligence&utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cheese</a> is getting more popular in India. </p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Alex Hern, AI writer</li><li>Tom Wainwright, culture correspondent</li><li>Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li><li>Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>Human extinction, AI, Sam Altman, Dario Amodei</li><li>Oral culture, literacy, James Marriott, Walter Ong</li><li>Cheese, India, kalimpong</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href="https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>subscribe to The Economist</em></a><em>.</em></p><br><p><br></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>