Under strAIn: breaking the British state

About this episode

<p>Britons are turning to <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2026/08/06/how-ai-is-breaking-the-british-state?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> to file objections to state institutions, and claim their dues. The resulting deluge of complaints and demands may overwhelm bureaucracies. Should Catholic priests have to report child abuse disclosed in <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/06/05/should-priests-have-to-report-child-abuse-disclosed-in-confession?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">confession</a>? And the perfect <a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/06/19/the-deceptive-rise-of-the-short-king?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">height gap</a> in a relationship. </p><br><p>Guests and host:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Matthew Holehouse, Britain public policy editor</li><li>Rebecca Jackson, US Southern correspondent</li><li>Doug Dowson, data journalist</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><p><br></p><ul><li>AI, agentic flooding, bureaucracy</li><li>Catholic church, confessions, child abuse</li><li>Short kings, short men, height differential</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>