White hat, black box: AI’s next chapter

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, statistics 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.

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, boredom 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.

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 food 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.

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, NASA Listen 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, Uzbekistan Listen 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.