The Elon game: Musk’s vision of the future

About this episode

<p>After <a href="https://www.economist.com/insider/the-insider/an-interview-with-elon-musk?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">Elon Musk</a>’s first extended interview since SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO, <em>The Economist</em> editor-in-chief reflects on what he told her: that AIs will be in charge in ten years, his dark view of Europe and the inevitably of civil war in Britain. At what age is a <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/07/09/who-is-capable-of-evil?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">child responsible</a> for their crimes? And remembering <a href="https://www.economist.com/obituary/2026/07/09/mona-khalil-defied-danger-to-protect-her-family?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">Mona Khalil</a>, Lebanese protector of turtles. </p><p>Watch extended clips from Elon Musk on “Insider” <a href="https://www.economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm_campaign=a.brand_fy2627_q1_awareness-imp-tr_prospecting_global-global_direct_na&utm_medium=audio.podcast.pd&utm_source=economist&utm_content=discovery.awareness.anonymous.tr_nativeread_np-tiinsider-apr_na-na_web_na_na_na_na&utm_term=sa.arc-isi" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of <em>The Economist</em></li><li>Maighna Nanu, editor of foreign newsletters </li><li>Ann Wroe, obituaries editor</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered: </p><ul><li>Elon Musk, AI, killer robots, far right, The Insider</li><li>child criminals, criminal responsibility, gangs</li><li>Mona Khalil, Lebanon, turtles, conservation</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><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>