Podcasts · The Intelligence from The Economist
The end of the world is AI? An existential threat
· 24 min
Episode The end of the world is AI? An existential threat
Is artificial intelligence becoming uncontrollably powerful? Our correspondent analyses whether a pause to breakneck development is possible or feasible. We have entered the new age of the orator. And why cheese is getting more popular in India.
Guests and host:
• Alex Hern, AI writer • Tom Wainwright, culture correspondent • Tom Sasse, South Asia bureau chief • Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence” • Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
• Human extinction, AI, Sam Altman, Dario Amodei • Oral culture, literacy, James Marriott, Walter Ong • Cheese, India, kalimpong
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Links in the notes 5
- 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
- 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
- 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
- https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus
- https://acast.com/privacy
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