White hat, black box: AI’s next chapter

We go deep inside the Chernobyl nuclear-power plant and the surrounding exclusion zone, recounting the history of the accident on April 26 1986, and speaking with plant workers who were on shift that day. A pre-eminent Chernobyl historian discusses the lessons learned and yet to be learned from the disaster. And we consider the science still being done at Chernobyl.In 2024 “The Weekend Intelligence” went to Ukraine to consider the aftermath of the Russian invasion and occupation of Chernobyl, and then of the Zaporizhia nuclear-power plant. What we found was an industry that had no expectation that could even happen, and nothing of a plan when it did. Listen here.Guests and host:Serhii Plokhy, historian, Harvard UniversityOlena Pareniuk, radiobiologist, Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power PlantsJim Smith, environmental scientist, University of PortsmouthJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Chernobyl nuclear-power plant, historynuclear safety, nuclear-energy policyradiation exposure, radiobiology, radioecology Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We examine what our forecast model predicts so far—and consider what might change its confident prediction for one house of Congress and toss-up call for the other. Our correspondent sits down with Steve Reich, a pioneering classical composer who is nearing his 90th birthday. And the surprising reason why firstborns tend to have more-successful lives.Additional music courtesy of Steve Reich (Nonesuch Records), Erik Hall (Western Vinyl)Guests and host:Dan Rosenheck, data editorJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentAinslie Johnstone, data journalistJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: American elections, Congress, polling, gerrymanderingSteve Reich, contemporary classical musicbirth order, statisticsGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The decision of Anthropic, an AI giant, to keep its Mythos model sequestered surely makes for good press. But there seems to be more to it than that—and it might change the whole industry’s approach. Indian politicians are chasing female voters more than ever; we question the means and the outcomes. And next in our World Cup contender-country profiles: Senegal. Guests and host:Alex Hern, AI writerKira Huju, Asia correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: AI, Anthropic, MythosIndia, women, politicsWorld Cup, SenegalGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Cook is stepping down after overseeing 15 years of spectacular growth. We take a look at his successor. Japan’s rural women are disproportionately heading to cities, and their home towns are working hard to lure them back. And a historical examination of boredom, and why Britons have perhaps less of it than they should.Guests and host:Tom Lee-Devlin, business editorMoeka Iida, Japan reporterCatherine Nixey, culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Apple, technology, CEO, John TernusJapan, demographicsBritain, boredomGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s peace talks are endangered after American forces fired on and boarded a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. We visit Chernobyl’s ruined reactor to assess the damage done by a Russian drone to its enormous safety structure. The likes of McDonald’s and KFC have long been in China’s cities; now they are expanding at pace in the countryside.Guests and host:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentSarah  Lawrynuik, deputy editor of “The Intelligence”Don Weinland, China business and finance editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, Strait of HormuzChernobyl, Ukraine warChina, fast foodGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When America seized Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro in January, it left the rest of his regime intact. Three months on, our correspondent finds optimism and some loosening of repression. Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado fled to America, now she explains her ambitions for the country. And celebrating the life of Nick Pope, who spent decades investigating UFOs.Guests and host:Kinley Salmon, Latin America correspondentAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Venezuela, oil, Maduro, TrumpMaría Corina Machado, electionsNick Pope, UFOs, aliens, NASAListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After six weeks of Israel’s offensive against Hizbullah, Lebanon’s president and Israel’s prime minister are due to talk today. What can they achieve? Britain’s “triple lock” pensions are unsustainable. And Uzbekistan’s footballers prepare for the World Cup.Vote for The Economist at the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast, TikTok channel and language series. Guests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentJosh Roberts, capital markets correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, NetanyahuState pension, Britain, triple lock, inflationWorld Cup, UzbekistanListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Iran conflict and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz are slowing supply not just of fuel, but food and fertiliser. Geophysics could worsen the approaching hunger crisis: an El Niño weather event is predicted for this year. Anti-conversion laws are resulting in horrific scenes at Christian burial sites in India. And why Britain’s vets are struggling.Guests and host:Catherine Brahic, environment editorAvantika Chilkoti, global business writerKira Huju, Asia correspondentCarla Subirana, news desk editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran conflict, oil, food crisis, fertilisers, El NiñoIndia, Hindu nationalism, Christian conversions, ModiBritain, pets, vetsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the failure of talks at the weekend, America is now stopping all ships from using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Our correspondent analyses the rationale. Burkina Faso’s government is committing war crimes. And which type of fizzy water tastes best?Vote for “The Economist” in the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast and Lane Greene on languagesGuests and host:Shashank Joshi, defence editorTom Gardner, Africa correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: America, Iran, blockade, Strait of Hormuz, oilBurkina Faso, Sahel, jihad, Ibrahim TraoréSparkling water, fizzy drinks, alcoholListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a momentous election, Viktor Orban has lost power in Hungary after 16 years of increasingly autocratic rule. Our correspondent explains how the country’s opposition led by Peter Magyar ousted a corrupt regime. Why cows in Britain are producing too much milk. And celebrating the giant rat that helped sniff out landmines in Cambodia.  Guests and host:Matt Steinglass, Europe editorHarry Taunton, Britain writerVishnu Padmanabhan, Asia correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Hungary, Viktor Orban, Peter Magyar, populismDairy farming, cows, milk, wellnessCambodia, landmines, Magawa, heroRatsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.