Intelligence Squared

In June 2024, Nvidia became the most valuable corporation on Earth. In Stephen Witt’s new book ‘The Thinking Machine’ he chronicles the astonishing story of how a designer of videogame equipment conquered the market for AI hardware, and in the process reinvented the computer. He spoke about it with author and Research Director at Demos Carl Miller. ---- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusi

*** Click here to see the photograph referred to in the podcast introduction: https://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/an-evening-with-adam-buxton *** --- Adam Buxton is a comedian, writer, podcaster — and one of the UK’s most beloved cultural figures. Best known for The Adam Buxton Podcast, The Adam and Joe Show on Channel 4, and the distinctive blend of surreal and self-deprecating humour he brings to all his work, Buxton has spent decades making people laugh while also offering insightful reflections on the quirks, highs, lows and occasional heartbreak of modern life.  In May 2025 Buxton came to the Intelligence Squared stage to celebrate the publication of his new memoir, I Love You, Byeee: Rambles on DIY TV, Rockstars, Kids and Mums, the highly anticipated sequel to his previous memoir Ramble Book: Musings on Childhood, Friendship, Family and 80s Pop Culture. In conversation with bestselling author and columnist Caitlin Moran, Buxton dove into stories from the book and beyond, reflecting on his crea

*** Click here to see the photograph referred to in the podcast introduction: https://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/an-evening-with-adam-buxton *** --- Adam Buxton is a comedian, writer, podcaster — and one of the UK’s most beloved cultural figures. Best known for The Adam Buxton Podcast, The Adam and Joe Show on Channel 4, and the distinctive blend of surreal and self-deprecating humour he brings to all his work, Buxton has spent decades making people laugh while also offering insightful reflections on the quirks, highs, lows and occasional heartbreak of modern life.  In May 2025 Buxton came to the Intelligence Squared stage to celebrate the publication of his new memoir, I Love You, Byeee: Rambles on DIY TV, Rockstars, Kids and Mums, the highly anticipated sequel to his previous memoir Ramble Book: Musings on Childhood, Friendship, Family and 80s Pop Culture. In conversation with bestselling author and columnist Caitlin Moran, Buxton dove into stories from the book and beyond, reflecting on his crea

Steve McQueen is one of Britain’s most acclaimed filmmakers and artists. He is the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Picture, two BAFTA Awards, the Caméra d’Or, a Golden Globe, and the Turner Prize. McQueen’s work includes his first feature-length film Hunger about Bobby Sands and the 1981 Irish hunger strike, the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, the BBC anthology Small Axe, and his most recent film Blitz. In April 2025 McQueen joined us live on the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss the themes of his new book Resistance. Accompanied by a major exhibition of the same name at Turner Contemporary, Resistance is a landmark collection of photographs and essays charting a century of British activism. Speaking alongside author Gary Younge, McQueen explored the power of collective action and uncover the often-overlooked stories of individuals who have been instrumental in forming modern Britain. McQueen discussed how acts of resistance have shaped Britain and the powerful role of photography as a catalyst

Steve McQueen is one of Britain’s most acclaimed filmmakers and artists. He is the recipient of the Academy Award for Best Picture, two BAFTA Awards, the Caméra d’Or, a Golden Globe, and the Turner Prize. McQueen’s work includes his first feature-length film Hunger about Bobby Sands and the 1981 Irish hunger strike, the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, the BBC anthology Small Axe, and his most recent film Blitz. In April 2025 McQueen joined us live on the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss the themes of his new book Resistance. Accompanied by a major exhibition of the same name at Turner Contemporary, Resistance is a landmark collection of photographs and essays charting a century of British activism. Speaking alongside author Gary Younge, McQueen explored the power of collective action and uncover the often-overlooked stories of individuals who have been instrumental in forming modern Britain. McQueen discussed how acts of resistance have shaped Britain and the powerful role of photography as a catalyst

This event is part of our ⁠Age of the Strongman⁠ series. ⁠Click here⁠ to see the other events in the series. President Xi Jinping has ruled China for more than a decade. He has overseen an era of unprecedented economic prosperity, cracked down on dissidents, reinvented national identity in his own image and adopted a confrontational ‘wolf warrior’ style of diplomacy on the world stage. Xi has also abolished term limits as President of the Communist Party and it’s possible that he will remain China’s all-powerful leader for the rest of his life. So what motivates the leader of the world’s most populous nation? What is his vision for China and the world? How much should the West push back and how much should it cooperate with Xi? In May 2025, Rana Mitter, renowned historian at Harvard Kennedy School and previously the Director of The University of Oxford’s China Centre, came to Intelligence Squared for the next event in our new series, The Age of the Strongman. Drawing on his work and recent book China’s Good

This event is part of our Age of the Strongman series. Click here to see the other events in the series. President Xi Jinping has ruled China for more than a decade. He has overseen an era of unprecedented economic prosperity, cracked down on dissidents, reinvented national identity in his own image and adopted a confrontational ‘wolf warrior’ style of diplomacy on the world stage. Xi has also abolished term limits as President of the Communist Party and it’s possible that he will remain China’s all-powerful leader for the rest of his life. So what motivates the leader of the world’s most populous nation? What is his vision for China and the world? How much should the West push back and how much should it cooperate with Xi? In May 2025, Rana Mitter, renowned historian at Harvard Kennedy School and previously the Director of The University of Oxford’s China Centre, came to Intelligence Squared for the next event in our new series, The Age of the Strongman. Drawing on his work and recent book China’s Good War

This event is part of Critical Conversations, a new series on the age of misinformation by Intelligence Squared and Sage & Jester, hosted by Sophia Smith Galer. To see other events in this series, click here. Where do we draw the line between free speech and dangerous misinformation? Algorithms not only dictate our data feeds but also reinforce our echo chambers, and the stakes have never been higher – both for our individual perspectives and for society at large. How To Cure Your Algorithm dives headfirst into the pressing issue of digital manipulation. We’ll expose how unchecked algorithms can distort reality and question the balance between free speech and censorship. More than a debate, it’s a call to action: reclaim your digital narrative. In a series of dynamic sessions, you will receive an unprecedented opportunity to transform the way you interact with digital media, as you get the chance to triage and diagnose the issues in your algorithm before we lead you through some cultural therapies and digi

This event is part of Critical Conversations, a new series on the age of misinformation by Intelligence Squared and Sage & Jester, hosted by Sophia Smith Galer. Have you ever clashed with someone on social media or even a loved one? Conversations can easily escalate in a time where everyone is consuming different media with wildly different messaging. At Truth Hurts: From Conflict to Connection, we tackled the most divisive topics in our day-to-day lives and how we can all become better conversationalists. How can we productively engage with those who have opposing views? How can we de-escalate emotionally-charged conversations? And how can we engage others to create a more ethical, kind and sustainable world? We dove into clever strategies for critical thinking and taught you how to dodge sneaky traps; whether you’re scrolling through your newsfeed or navigating tricky conflicts. We also explored techniques for managing emotions and sparking meaningful, empathy-driven conversations that actually get som

This event was part of Critical Conversations, a new series on the age of misinformation by Intelligence Squared and Sage & Jester, hosted by Sophia Smith Galer. Sometimes the best way to expose a lie is to laugh at it. Satire is a force to be reckoned with in any democracy and artists are essential in shedding light on the truth. Comedy has long been a way to bring difficult conversations to the fore, and to challenge narratives. At Tricks, Trolls and LOLs, find out how humour and creative expression can serve as a counterbalance to misinformation; how satire can dismantle it, why authoritarian regimes fear comedians, and how art can be a powerful antidote to propaganda. In May 2025, we were joined by host Sophia Smith Galer and comedian Rachel Parris at the Pleasance Theatre in London for the first event in our our Critical Conversations series, in partnership with Sage & Jester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is prosperity possible without growth? And in an age of environmental crisis and rising inequality, is our obsession with economic expansion doing more harm than good? On the podcast today, renowned economist Professor Tim Jackson challenges the very foundations of our economic thinking. In his groundbreaking book 'Prosperity Without Growth', Jackson argued that relentless pursuit of GDP not only fails to deliver human well-being — it actively damages both society and the planet. Now, in his latest book 'The Care Economy', Jackson issues a powerful warning: our fixation on growth has come at the cost of the most vital parts of our lives — care, health, and human connection. In a world that undervalues care work and prioritises profit over people, what would it take to build an economy centred on well-being instead of wealth? Jackson sat down with broadcaster Carl Miller to explore the future of prosperity, and why reimagining our values might just be the most important economic decision we face. ------ I

The ‘Smartphone-free Childhood’ movement has alerted many of us to the dangers inherent in our – and our kids’ – use of devices. But while we can shield children from technology in their early years, withdrawing from the online world is not an option for most of us in adult life. So how do we ensure that we – and our children when they grow up – develop a healthy relationship with smartphones and don’t become addicted to mindless scrolling and harmful consumption? On May 13, Professor Kaitlyn Regehr – one of the world’s foremost experts on digital literacy – comes to Intelligence Squared to set out the science of smartphone addiction. She will provide a practical guide for taking advantage of the good things the internet has to offer while giving advice on how to avoid its darker side. Regehr will discuss how to think critically in a digital environment that is constantly seeking to harvest your attention and how to understand misogyny, pornography, politics, body image, advertising and violence online. --

The ‘Smartphone-free Childhood’ movement has alerted many of us to the dangers inherent in our – and our kids’ – use of devices. But while we can shield children from technology in their early years, withdrawing from the online world is not an option for most of us in adult life. So how do we ensure that we – and our children when they grow up – develop a healthy relationship with smartphones and don’t become addicted to mindless scrolling and harmful consumption? On May 13, Professor Kaitlyn Regehr – one of the world’s foremost experts on digital literacy – comes to Intelligence Squared to set out the science of smartphone addiction. She will provide a practical guide for taking advantage of the good things the internet has to offer while giving advice on how to avoid its darker side. Regehr will discuss how to think critically in a digital environment that is constantly seeking to harvest your attention and how to understand misogyny, pornography, politics, body image, advertising and violence online.

‘The world as we knew it is gone’ – UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s response to Trump’s tariffs President Donald Trump recently announced a 90-day pause for his monumental ‘liberation day’ tariffs while at the same time escalating a dangerous trade war with China. Trump’s announcement came just weeks after import taxes on all goods entering the US were introduced, in the biggest upheaval of international trade in decades. And beyond the chaos and endless news cycle of the last few days, Trump’s key advisers are introducing a broader set of fringe economic ideas that they believe will transform politics and economics at home, as well as the foundations of US power abroad. In May 2025, Helen Thompson, expert on the long history of globalisation and author of the acclaimed book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century came to Intelligence Squared to make sense of the seismic shifts we are witnessing in the global economy and how they will impact us here in the UK. She was joined on stage by BBC bro

‘The world as we knew it is gone’ – UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s response to Trump’s tariffs President Donald Trump recently announced a 90-day pause for his monumental ‘liberation day’ tariffs while at the same time escalating a dangerous trade war with China. Trump’s announcement came just weeks after import taxes on all goods entering the US were introduced, in the biggest upheaval of international trade in decades. And beyond the chaos and endless news cycle of the last few days, Trump’s key advisers are introducing a broader set of fringe economic ideas that they believe will transform politics and economics at home, as well as the foundations of US power abroad. In May 2025, Helen Thompson, expert on the long history of globalisation and author of the acclaimed book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century came to Intelligence Squared to make sense of the seismic shifts we are witnessing in the global economy and how they will impact us here in the UK. She was joined on stage by BBC bro

From the earliest stone circles to Mozart’s obsession with numbers to the radically modern architecture of Zaha Hadid, maths and creativity are interwoven across time and space. Whether we are searching for meaning in an abstract painting or finding patterns in poetry, there are blueprints everywhere: symmetry, prime numbers, the golden ratio and more. In May 2025 we were joined by award-winning mathematician and Oxford professor Marcus du Sautoy as he looked to the arts to uncover the key mathematical structures that underpin both nature and human creativity. Drawing on his new book, Blueprints, du Sautoy explored how we make art, why a creative mindset is vital for discovering new mathematics, and how a fundamental connection to the natural world intrinsically links these two subjects. ----- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll

From the earliest stone circles to Mozart’s obsession with numbers to the radically modern architecture of Zaha Hadid, maths and creativity are interwoven across time and space. Whether we are searching for meaning in an abstract painting or finding patterns in poetry, there are blueprints everywhere: symmetry, prime numbers, the golden ratio and more. In May 2025 we were joined by award-winning mathematician and Oxford professor Marcus du Sautoy as he looked to the arts to uncover the key mathematical structures that underpin both nature and human creativity. Drawing on his new book, Blueprints, du Sautoy explored how we make art, why a creative mindset is vital for discovering new mathematics, and how a fundamental connection to the natural world intrinsically links these two subjects. ------ This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/m

What if apocalypse isn’t the end of the world - but a chance to remake it? On today’s episode we’re joined by science journalist Lizzie Wade to explore Apocalypse, her bold new book about how catastrophe has shaped humanity’s past and can forge more just futures. Drawing on archaeology and anthropology, Wade reframes collapse not as destruction but transformation - revealing how people have endured pandemics, climate shocks, and civilisational upheaval before, and what their stories can teach us now. Joining Wade in discussion is global historian and author of On Savage Shores: How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe, Caroline Dodds Pennock. ---- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, c

In this episode of Intelligence Squared, financier, philanthropist, and author Robert Rosenkranz joins host Bill Browder for a thought-provoking conversation on how ancient wisdom can power modern achievement. Drawing from his latest book, The Stoic Capitalist, Rosenkranz explores how Stoic philosophy—rooted in ideas from 300 BC—can be applied to create a life of accomplishment, fulfillment, and impact in today’s fast-paced world. ---- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared p

Moral ambition is the will to make the world a wildly better place. To devote your career to the greatest challenges of our time. To be one of the best, but measured by a new standard of success.’ – Rutger Bregman The brightest minds of our generation may dream of changing the world. But in reality most high achievers will settle for making a lot of money for themselves and their family. World renowned historian and bestselling author Rutger Bregman is on a mission to change that. In April, Bregman came to Intelligence Squared in venues across the UK to convince us that in our age of crisis, we need to stop wasting our talent in jobs that solely provide personal enrichment. Instead if we want to live a successful life we must devote our careers to making the world a radically better place. Bregman discussed why in 2025 social progress is not only stagnating in places but actively going in reverse. He argued that there are lessons from history that can help us overcome this trend and explain that the greate