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Intelligence Squared

Ideas shape the world. Intelligence Squared brings you the conversations that explain them.In every episode, we bring together leading thinkers, writers, scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs, to challenge assumptions, test ideas and debate the questions shaping our future. If you want to think more clearly about the world and where it's heading, you're in the right place. If you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.

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S1 · E3540
Today · 48 min
Nvidia Explained: How It Became the World’s Most Powerful Company
In June 2024, Nvidia became the most valuable corporation on Earth. Now, the actions of its CEO, Jensen Huang, threaten to tear it apart. For this episode, we're revisiting an episode from the Intelligence Squared archive that helps explain why this company matters so much. How did a company that started out making graphics chips for videogames become one of the most powerful corporations on Earth, and the driving force behind the AI revolution? In his book The Thinking Machine, Stephen Witt chronicles Nvidia's extraordinary rise, revealing how it came to dominate the market for AI hardware and, in the process, reinvent the computer. He joined author and Research Director at Demos Carl Miller to discuss the people, decisions and breakthroughs behind Nvidia's rise, and how one company became so central to the future of artificial intelligence. This conversation was recorded before the latest developments at Nvidia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3539
Wednesday · 43 min
China and Africa: The Hidden History of a Global Power Shift, with Paul Kenyon
China’s relationship with Africa is often presented as a recent contest for minerals and influence. However, journalist Paul Kenyon argues that the relationship rests on centuries of history, with alliances forged in the struggle against Western colonialism. He charts how China has managed, since the 1950s, to control much of Africa's natural resources, consumers, workforce and political institutions. In this episode, Margherita Volpato speaks to Paul Kenyon. In his latest book, China’s African Empire: The Country That Captured a Continent, he explores the new economic and political hierarchies that shape our modern world. Paul Kenyon is a BAFTA award-winning journalist who has worked for almost twenty years across BBC News and Current Affairs. He is the author of numerous books including Dictatorland and China’s African Empire: The Country that Captured a Continent. Margherita Volpato is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3538
Monday · 36 min
Does The World Still Need America? with Shadi Hamid
What would a world without American leadership look like? Shadi Hamid joins Intelligence Squared co-host Conor Boyle to discuss his book The Case for American Power and why he changed his mind about America’s role in the world. They explore the legacy of the Iraq War, the contradictions of American foreign policy and whether the United States remains essential to a more peaceful and democratic world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3537
Sunday · 1 hr 56 min
Shakespeare vs Milton: The Kings of English Literature Debate [Archive]
Nearly four centuries after his death, no writer has come close to matching Shakespeare’s understanding of the world – or his gift for dramatic poetry. It’s not just kings and queens that he captured so uniquely in his transcendent verse. Shakespeare analysed the human condition, not just for Elizabethan England, but throughout the world and for eternity. Britain may not have matched the Continent for music or art but when it comes to literature, Shakespeare sees off all international rivals, whether it’s in the spheres of comedy, tragedy or the sonnet. Even today you and I quote Shakespeare without knowing it: if you act more in sorrow than in anger, if you vanish into thin air or have ever been tongue-tied, hoodwinked or slept not one wink, you’re speaking the Bard’s English. Milton, say his fans, works on an altogether different, higher plane. In Paradise Lost – the best poem ever written in English – Milton moved beyond the literary to address political, philosophical and religious questions in a way that still resounds strongly today. In his complex, intellectual poetry he drilled down deep into the eternal truths and sought to embody new scientific discovery in his work. His engagement with the issues of the day – with the nature of knowledge, slavery, free will, love and creation – was unparalleled. Despite complete blindness in middle age, he was the English republic’s best known, most fervent apologist, and a key civil servant for Oliver Cromwell. In his other works, notably in Areopagitica, his attack on censorship, he showed himself as much a master of prose as poetry. He defines not only his age, but our own. To help you decide who should be crowned king of English letters we brought together advocates to make the case for each writer, and they called on a cast of leading actors to illustrate their arguments with readings from the works. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3536
November 6 · 23 min
The Truth About Trump's Venezuela Oil Deal, with Anne Applebaum
Who stands to benefit from Donald Trump’s Venezuela oil deal? Anne Applebaum joins Intelligence Squared co-host Conor Boyle to discuss her investigation for The Atlantic into Trump’s dealings in Venezuela since the removal of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026. They explore the opaque agreements reshaping the country’s oil industry, Washington’s ties to the surviving regime and whether promises of democratic change are giving way to the pursuit of profit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3535
November 4 · 38 min
What Do the Dead Internet Theory and Russian Intelligence Operations Have in Common? With Carl Miller
The dead internet theory began as an obscure online conspiracy. Its proponents claimed the internet had been overrun by bots and automated content. In 2021, much of it sounded paranoid. Today, parts of the theory are beginning to look uncomfortably plausible. According to Cloudflare, machines now generate more web traffic than people, while AI-generated music, images and writing are flooding online platforms. Some material is even designed not for human readers, but for other bots and AI systems that retrieve and cite it. In this episode, Mia Sorenti speaks with researcher Carl Miller about an internet increasingly shaped by machines talking to machines. Drawing on new research from Demos, Carl sheds light on findings that suggest Russian propagandists are already manipulating the information served up by LLMs - and how we can fight back in a new age of information warfare. Carl Miller is a Demos Fellow and co-founder of the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media. He is co-author of the Demos report GEO for Geopolitics. Mia Sorenti is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3534
November 2 · 48 min
What Happens If Billionaires Control the Tools of War? With Sharon Weinberger
For decades, Silicon Valley liked to tell a story about itself: brilliant outsiders, working beyond government, moving faster than institutions ever could. But that story leaves something rather important out. The American military and intelligence agencies helped to finance the technologies, companies and ambitions that made the Valley powerful. With governments increasingly relying on privately owned satellites, software, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, we’re going to explore why the people who control those systems are not simply contractors. They have fortunes, political commitments and power of their own. So who is serving whom? In this episode, Margherita Volpato speaks to Sharon Weinberger. In her new book is Valley of Death: How Big Tech Is Fueling the Future of War, she outlines why governments are increasingly reliant on privately owned satellites, software, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and what it means for this level of control to be in the hands of private contractors. Together, they will explore: who is serving whom? Sharon Weinbeger has reported on national security, science and technology for more than 25 years. She is editor-in-chief of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and was previously national security editor at The Wall Street Journal. Her new book is Valley of Death: How Big Tech Is Fueling the Future of War. Margherita Volpato is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3534
November 2 · 51 min
What Happens If Billionaires Control the Tools of War? With Sharon Weinberger
For decades, Silicon Valley liked to tell a story about itself: brilliant outsiders, working beyond government, moving faster than institutions ever could. But that story leaves something rather important out. The American military and intelligence agencies helped to finance the technologies, companies and ambitions that made the Valley powerful. With governments increasingly relying on privately owned satellites, software, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, we’re going to explore why the people who control those systems are not simply contractors. They have fortunes, political commitments and power of their own. So who is serving whom? In this episode, Margherita Volpato speaks to Sharon Weinberger. In her new book is Valley of Death: How Big Tech Is Fueling the Future of War, she outlines why governments are increasingly reliant on privately owned satellites, software, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and what it means for this level of control to be in the hands of private contractors. Together, they will explore: who is serving whom? Sharon Weinbeger has reported on national security, science and technology for more than 25 years. She is editor-in-chief of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and was previously national security editor at The Wall Street Journal. Her new book is Valley of Death: How Big Tech Is Fueling the Future of War. Margherita Volpato is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E3533
November 1 · 1 hr 3 min
Is Politics Beyond Satire? Live with Armando Iannucci, Jan Ravens and Jess Phillips [Archive]
Has satire lost its power in this new world of fake news and ‘alternative facts’ - when our leaders lie so blatantly and frequently, and still manage to get away with it? Or is humour a more important tool than ever to hold those in power to account? We were joined by celebrated comedy writer and producer Armando Iannucci, Labour MP Jess Phillips, and satirist and impressionist Jan Ravens to unpack these questions live on stage at the Union chapel in London. The event was chaired by journalist, writer and broadcaster Samira Ahmed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E3533
November 1 · 1 hr
Is Politics Beyond Satire? Live with Armando Iannucci, Jan Ravens and Jess Phillips [Archive]
Has satire lost its power in this new world of fake news and ‘alternative facts’ - when our leaders lie so blatantly and frequently, and still manage to get away with it? Or is humour a more important tool than ever to hold those in power to account? We were joined by celebrated comedy writer and producer Armando Iannucci, Labour MP Jess Phillips, and satirist and impressionist Jan Ravens to unpack these questions live on stage at the Union chapel in London. The event was chaired by journalist, writer and broadcaster Samira Ahmed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3532
October 30 · 38 min
The Forgotten War: Inside the Democratic Republic of Congo
In 2005, journalist Anjan Sundaram travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to work as a stringer for the Associated Press. What followed was an extraordinary eighteen months, taking him from the chaotic streets of Kinshasa to the country's vast rainforests and into the heart of one of the deadliest conflicts since the Second World War. In this episode, Sundaram joins journalist and author Carl Miller to discuss his acclaimed memoir Stringer, a gripping account of life as a foreign correspondent in one of the world's most troubled countries. Together, they explore the realities of reporting from a war zone, the people and stories that rarely make international headlines, and what his experiences reveal about the Congo, journalism and the search for truth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3532
October 30 · 41 min
The Forgotten War: Inside the Democratic Republic of Congo
In 2005, journalist Anjan Sundaram travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to work as a stringer for the Associated Press. What followed was an extraordinary eighteen months, taking him from the chaotic streets of Kinshasa to the country's vast rainforests and into the heart of one of the deadliest conflicts since the Second World War. In this episode, Sundaram joins journalist and author Carl Miller to discuss his acclaimed memoir Stringer, a gripping account of life as a foreign correspondent in one of the world's most troubled countries. Together, they explore the realities of reporting from a war zone, the people and stories that rarely make international headlines, and what his experiences reveal about the Congo, journalism and the search for truth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S1 · E3531
October 28 · 1 hr 24 min
Marina Hyde and Jesse Armstrong, Live in Brighton
Described by Phoebe Waller-Bridge as “the most lethal, vital, screamingly funny truth-teller of our time”, Marina Hyde has become one of Britain’s most popular columnists and podcasters. A Sunday Times bestselling author and co-host of the smash hit podcast The Rest is Entertainment, she has an unrivalled talent for making sense of our stranger-than-fiction times. In September 2026 Hyde came to the Intelligence Squared stage in Brighton, marking the launch of her new book 'What A Time To Be Alive!'. From lambasting the Trump presidency, to the increasing popularity of Nigel Farage's Reform, from the spectacle of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s Venice wedding to the Beckham family feud, she is chief chronicler of our gloriously chaotic age. Hyde was joined live on stage award-winning screenwriter and producer Jesse Armstrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3531
October 26 · 44 min
Were Castles the Original Military-Industrial Complex? With Dan Jones
For more than 3,000 years, castles and fortifications have shaped the landscapes around them. They defended cities, controlled trade and provided refuge in times of war. But they were also monuments to the ambition of those who built them: vast projects that brought together military power, engineering, labour and wealth. Were castles the original military-industrial complex? Why did even the strongest fortresses fall? And why do these obsolete weapons of war retain such a powerful hold over our imaginations? In this episode, Mia Sorenti speaks with historian and broadcaster Dan Jones about what castles reveal about the societies that built them. Drawing on examples from Troy and medieval Wales to Japan and the United States, Jones explains how rulers used fortifications to make their authority visible, reshape economies and claim control over a people’s history and mythology. Dan Jones is a historian, author and broadcaster. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a trustee of Historic Royal Palaces and the host of the This Is History podcast. His latest book is Castles: A Fortified History of the World. Mia Sorenti is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3530
October 24 · 1 hr 1 min
Archive: Is Mark Zuckerberg Damaging Society?
With the release of Aaron Sorkin's new film The Social Reckoning, Mark Zuckerberg and the dark side of Facebook are back in the spotlight. In 2019, Intelligence Squared put Zuckerberg on trial, asking whether Facebook was doing more harm than good. Was the platform connecting billions of people and transforming the world for the better? Or was it undermining democracy, spreading misinformation and fuelling political division? Seven years later, Facebook is part of Meta, artificial intelligence is transforming social media, and questions about the power and accountability of Silicon Valley's technology giants have become more urgent than ever. In this debate from the Intelligence Squared archive, Damian Collins and Nina Schick argue that Facebook is damaging society, while former Facebook executive Dex Torricke-Barton and former UK government minister Ed Vaizey defend the company. As Zuckerberg faces renewed scrutiny, we revisit a debate that asks who should be held responsible for the consequences of social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3529
October 22 · 23 min
Has America Abandoned Ukraine? With Michael McFaul
Donald Trump’s growing accommodation of Vladimir Putin has raised a stark question: has the US abandoned Ukraine? Conor Boyle speaks to Michael McFaul, former US ambassador to Russia and author of Autocrats vs. Democrats, about what Trump’s approach means for Ukraine, America’s democratic identity and the future of the international order. They explore whether this rupture was years in the making, the roles of China and Elon Musk and whether a future administration could restore American leadership, or whether the country has changed for good. McFaul's new book is Autocrats vs Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder and is available now at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autocrats-vs-Democrats-America-Disorder/dp/0358677874 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
October 20 · 1 hr 29 min
What Must Burnham Sacrifice To Make Britain Grow? With Michael Gove
Few figures in modern British politics have operated as close to the centre of power as Michael Gove. Over more than a decade in government, he has held some of the most senior offices of state – including Education Secretary, Justice Secretary and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, shaping policy across domestic reform, economic strategy and the future of the Union. Now, at a moment of continued economic uncertainty at home and instability abroad, Gove joined us for the Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook. In October 2026, live st Smith Square Hall in Westminster, he reflected on the forces reshaping Britain’s economic landscape. How resilient is the UK economy after a prolonged period of inflation, fiscal pressure and sluggish growth? What should a credible long-term strategy for productivity and investment look like? And how should Britain position itself in a more fragmented global economy, defined by geopolitical tension in the Middle East, energy insecurity and shifting trade alliances? This event was presented in partnership with Guinness Global Investors: https://https://www.guinnessgi.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3527
October 18 · 41 min
Why Are People Having Fewer Children Than They Want? With Camilla Cavendish
In England and Wales, the total fertility rate fell to 1.39 children per woman in 2025. More than half of the world’s countries and areas are now below the level at which a population replaces itself without migration. Yet those numbers cannot tell us whether people are freely choosing smaller families, struggling to find a partner, leaving parenthood too late or being priced out of the future they wanted. In this episode, Margherita Volpato speaks to Camilla Cavendish, Baroness Cavendish of Little Venice. In her new book, Generation Maybe: Why We’re Having Fewer Children, and What It Means for Us All, she investigates why birth rates are falling across very different countries and what those falling rates reveal about the way we live. By the end, Cavendish explains why the baby bust is not simply a story about babies, but about whether people can imagine and build a different future. Camilla Cavendish, Baroness Cavendish of Little Venice is an award-winning journalist, Financial Times columnist, and Harvard Kennedy School research fellow. Margherita Volpato is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3526
October 18 · 59 min
Archive: Can the Arts Drive Social Change? With Idris Elba, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Yassmin Abdel-Magied
In the summer of 2020, as Black Lives Matter protests swept the world, the arts and creative industries faced urgent questions about racism, representation and their role in driving meaningful change. In this episode from the Intelligence Squared archive, actor Idris Elba and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah join writer and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied to examine systemic racism in the cultural sector, the limits of diversity initiatives and what it really takes to turn promises of equality into lasting change. Six years on, as debates about race, power and representation continue, we revisit a conversation that remains as relevant today as it was in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E3525
October 15 · 55 min
How One Family Remade Britain: Thomas and Oliver Cromwell, with Miranda Malins
Thomas Cromwell helped Henry VIII break with Rome, reshape government and establish the Church of England. A century later, his distant relative Oliver Cromwell helped defeat a king, establish a republic and became Lord Protector. Both men are usually remembered as exceptional commoners who rose through talent and ruthless pragmatism. But neither rose alone. What does the familiar ‘great man’ version of history miss? And how did one extended family acquire power, lose it and then rise again? In this episode, Mia Sorenti speaks with historian and author Miranda Malins about what placing Thomas and Oliver within a continuous family story reveals about the marriages, money, faith, loyalties and inherited political memory that sustained the Cromwell dynasty across two centuries. The conversation explores whether the English Civil Wars represented a continuation of the Reformation, why the label ‘revolutionary’ fails to capture the Cromwells’ pragmatism, and how family history can contextualise controversial figures without excusing their violence. It also recovers the lives of the lesser-known Cromwells, including the women whose relationships, intellect and influence helped shape the family’s fortunes. Miranda Malins is a historian and novelist specialising in Oliver Cromwell, his family and the Civil War and Commonwealth period. She is a long-standing trustee of the Cromwell Association and the author of The House of Cromwell: Power, Family and the Making of Modern Britain, available now. Mia Sorenti is Senior Producer at Intelligence Squared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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