Many organisations are experimenting with AI and AI agents. But far fewer are seeing real, measurable impact. The challenge isn’t ambition, it’s readiness. As we explored in the first episode of this series, the challenge for most businesses isn’t ambition - it’s having the right foundations in place. In part two of our series on AI in the workplace, journalist and author Kamal Ahmed is back and joined by Ben Kus, Chief Technology Officer at Box, to examine what it truly means to become AI-ready...
Jan 29, 2026•35 min•Ep. 3371
Happiness is good for your health. That’s the argument of Dr Rangan Chatterjee, one of the most influential doctors in the UK and host of Europe’s biggest health podcast Feel Better, Live More. Throughout his career, Dr Chatterjee has seen first-hand how motivation isn’t always enough for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s his view that it is only when we learn how to support our own mental well-being and cultivate core happiness that these choices become easy. In January 2026, Dr Chatterj...
Jan 28, 2026•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 3370
A record £2.9 billion was invested in British AI companies last year as Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to make the UK an AI superpower. But according to influential business leaders such as Jensen Huang, CEO of the world’s most valuable designer and seller of advanced computer chips, Nvidia, the UK and other Western nations risk losing the AI race to China due to unnecessary cynicism and worry over AI. In January 2026 a panel of experts came to Intelligence Squared to debate and discuss the r...
Jan 26, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3369
A record £2.9 billion was invested in British AI companies last year as Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to make the UK an AI superpower. But according to influential business leaders such as Jensen Huang, CEO of the world’s most valuable designer and seller of advanced computer chips, Nvidia, the UK and other Western nations risk losing the AI race to China due to unnecessary cynicism and worry over AI. In January 2026 a panel of experts came to Intelligence Squared to debate and discuss the r...
Jan 25, 2026•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3368
Do you feel as if there is often too much to do in too little time? We are all familiar with overwhelm – an unsettling sense that it is just impossible to keep up with the demands of everyday life. In January 2026 Claudia Hammond – psychologist, award-winning writer and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind – came to the Intelligence Squared stage to share her scientific insights into how we can all live better and avoid fatigue. Drawing from her new book, Overwhelmed, she provided a practi...
Jan 23, 2026•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3367
Do you feel as if there is often too much to do in too little time? We are all familiar with overwhelm – an unsettling sense that it is just impossible to keep up with the demands of everyday life. In January 2026 Claudia Hammond – psychologist, award-winning writer and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind – came to the Intelligence Squared stage to share her scientific insights into how we can all live better and avoid fatigue. Drawing from her new book, Overwhelmed, she provided a practi...
Jan 21, 2026•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3366
How does Greece’s Byzantine and Ottoman past shape its future? In this episode, Helen Carr speaks to journalist and author Sean Matthews about Greece’s shifting geopolitical role and alliances. Caught between wars raging in both Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Greece is an island of relative stability. Popularly considered the cradle of Western civilization, this is a Christian Orthodox state on the edge of the Islamic world. And, after a half-century of integration into NATO and the EU, Gre...
Jan 19, 2026•43 min•Season 1Ep. 3365
Alan Davies is one of the UK’s most-loved comedians best known for starring in the BBC series Jonathan Creek, and for his regular appearances on comedy quiz show QI since 2003. In September 2025 he came to Intelligence Squared for an evening of laughs and reflection on his life in comedy and TV. Drawing on the themes of his new memoir White Male Stand-Up he shared some of the funniest moments from his career, revealed some of the highs and lows that have shaped him as a person and answer questio...
Jan 18, 2026•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3364
Alan Davies is one of the UK’s most-loved comedians best known for starring in the BBC series Jonathan Creek, and for his regular appearances on comedy quiz show QI since 2003. In September 2025 he came to Intelligence Squared for an evening of laughs and reflection on his life in comedy and TV. Drawing on the themes of his new memoir White Male Stand-Up he shared some of the funniest moments from his career, revealed some of the highs and lows that have shaped him as a person and answer questio...
Jan 16, 2026•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3363
It is over ten years since the release of Spike Jonze’s film Her , in which a lonely man begins a relationship with a computer programme voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Since then, AI companions have surged in popularity. A new generation is now growing up with large language models and the chatbots they power, with AI entities playing the role of friends, lovers, mentors and therapists. If this all feels like a Black Mirror episode come to life, says author James Muldoon, you are not far off the ...
Jan 14, 2026•48 min•Season 1Ep. 3362
Russian-born journalist Julia Ioffe is one of America’s most influential voices on Russia-US relations, reporting on Putin’s regime for over 15 years. Her new book, Motherland – which has been longlisted for the 2025 National Book Award for Non-Fiction – tells the stories of the many women who have shaped modern Russia, from feminist revolutionaries to the fearless members of Pussy Riot and Yulia Navalnaya. In December 2025, Ioffe joined CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward to sha...
Jan 12, 2026•37 min•Season 1Ep. 3361
Russian-born journalist Julia Ioffe is one of America’s most influential voices on Russia-US relations, reporting on Putin’s regime for over 15 years. Her new book, Motherland – which has been longlisted for the 2025 National Book Award for Non-Fiction – tells the stories of the many women who have shaped modern Russia, from feminist revolutionaries to the fearless members of Pussy Riot and Yulia Navalnaya. In December 2025, Ioffe joined CNN chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward to sha...
Jan 11, 2026•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3360
Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist, broadcaster, and author of the widely acclaimed book The Escape Artist which tells the remarkable story of Rudolf Vrba and fellow inmate Alfred Wetzler who became the very first Jews to successfully escape Auschwitz. In October 2025 he came to the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss his new book, The Traitors Circle, an astonishing story from the same era. This is a story of a group of rebels within Germany who had secretly opposed the Nazi regime fo...
Jan 09, 2026•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3359
Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist, broadcaster, and author of the widely acclaimed book The Escape Artist which tells the remarkable story of Rudolf Vrba and fellow inmate Alfred Wetzler who became the very first Jews to successfully escape Auschwitz. In October 2025 he came to the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss his new book, The Traitors Circle, an astonishing story from the same era. This is a story of a group of rebels within Germany who had secretly opposed the Nazi regime fo...
Jan 07, 2026•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3358
In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them were the beautiful young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings, the hard-drinking philanderer Carlos the Jackal sporting shades and open-neck shirts, and the radical leftists of the Baader-Meinhof Gang. Taking Israel, capitalism and ‘western imperialism’ as targets, they orchestrated spectacularly violent attacks that held governments to ransom and the world g...
Jan 05, 2026•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3357
In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them were the beautiful young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings, the hard-drinking philanderer Carlos the Jackal sporting shades and open-neck shirts, and the radical leftists of the Baader-Meinhof Gang. Taking Israel, capitalism and ‘western imperialism’ as targets, they orchestrated spectacularly violent attacks that held governments to ransom and the world g...
Jan 04, 2026•41 min•Season 1Ep. 3356
Tim Wu, is one of America’s leading thinkers on technology, power, and the history of monopoly powers. A Columbia Law School professor and former special assistant to President Joe Biden for technology and competition policy, Wu is best known for coining the term “net neutrality” and for his influential work in books like The Attention Merchants and The Curse of Bigness which explore the balance between innovation, corporate concentration, and the public good. On November 18, Wu came to Intellig...
Jan 02, 2026•45 min•Season 1Ep. 3555
Tim Wu, is one of America’s leading thinkers on technology, power, and the history of monopoly powers. A Columbia Law School professor and former special assistant to President Joe Biden for technology and competition policy, Wu is best known for coining the term “net neutrality” and for his influential work in books like The Attention Merchants and The Curse of Bigness which explore the balance between innovation, corporate concentration, and the public good. On November 18, Wu came to Intellig...
Dec 31, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3354
--- 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 S...
Dec 29, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3353
What would Aristotle make of Keir Starmer? Would Plato be a Republican? And what can philosophy teach us about modern world? In October 2025 philosopher Julian Baggini came to Intelligence Squared to help us understand the world of politics through philosophy. He set out why ‘polarisation’ need not be a dirty word, what differentiates conspiracy theorists from skeptics, and how to apply precepts such as: follow the facts, be humble and think for yourself but not by yourself. --- This is the firs...
Dec 28, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3352
Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow. Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has written over 200 books, including the modern children’s classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt . In recent years, he has become an eloquent voice on grief and sadness, and how we deal with it. His powerful writing about the death of his son and his near-lethal battle with Covid became Getting Through It , ...
Dec 26, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 3351
Michael Rosen has known – and given – great joy in his life. And he has suffered immense sorrow. Rosen is an author, poet and former children’s laureate, much-loved for his playful humour. He has written over 200 books, including the modern children’s classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt . In recent years, he has become an eloquent voice on grief and sadness, and how we deal with it. His powerful writing about the death of his son and his near-lethal battle with Covid became Getting Through It , ...
Dec 24, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3350
Dr Rachel Clarke is a palliative care doctor and author, who became widely known for her writing on the challenges facing the NHS from the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then she has also written a book, The Story of a Heart which was awarded the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction which tells the profoundly moving story of a heart transplant, and how one child saved the life of another. In November 2025 Clarke came to Intelligence Squared alongside actor, comedian and writer Rob Delan...
Dec 22, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 3349
Dr Rachel Clarke is a palliative care doctor and author, who became widely known for her writing on the challenges facing the NHS from the frontline of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then she has also written a book, The Story of a Heart which was awarded the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction which tells the profoundly moving story of a heart transplant, and how one child saved the life of another. In November 2025 Clarke came to Intelligence Squared alongside actor, comedian and writer Rob Delan...
Dec 21, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 3348
This is an episode of The Specialist, your weekly dose of wonder. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today’s episode, what happens when a work of art is so enigmatic that you think about it for 60 years? Alex Bell, Chairman Emeritus of Sotheby's UK and Old Masters Worldwide, tells the story of how a mysterious Renaissance altarpiece entered the collection of the National Gallery in London as the museum ...
Dec 20, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 3347
Johannes Vermeer is one of the greatest painters in history, yet the man himself remains an enigma. But have we finally solved the mystery of one of his most famous paintings? On this episode we’re joined by Andrew Graham-Dixon, one of Britain’s best known art historians. In his new book Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found , he sets out a radical reappraisal of Vermeer’s life, beliefs and the meaning of his paintings. He shows us an artist immersed in the religious debates of the Dutch Republic in th...
Dec 19, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 3346
In today’s episode, in partnership with WaterAid, journalist and author Coco Khan speaks to Amaka Godfrey, WaterAid’s Executive Director of International Programmes. Amaka has spent more than 25 years working across the world in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector. She shares powerful stories of how clean water means children stay in school, healthcare is safer, and mothers can support their families or run businesses. Clean water changes lives and unlocks potential for entire communities. ...
Dec 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 3345
Mikhail Zygar is a renowned Russian dissident journalist living in exile in the USA. He was the founding editor-in-chief of independent news channel TV Rain in Russia. He publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and fled into exile days later. Despite persistent death threats, he continues to write fearlessly about his homeland. In November 2025 he joined Intelligence Squared to discuss the fall of the Soviet Union and why that period can help explain the failure of democracy in ...
Dec 15, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 3344
Mikhail Zygar is a renowned Russian dissident journalist living in exile in the USA. He was the founding editor-in-chief of independent news channel TV Rain in Russia. He publicly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and fled into exile days later. Despite persistent death threats, he continues to write fearlessly about his homeland. In November 2025 he joined Intelligence Squared to discuss the fall of the Soviet Union and why that period can help explain the failure of democracy in ...
Dec 14, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3343
We’ve heard enough from the pessimists. Yes, these are hard times, but what investors, business owners and all of us need right now is not more despair about the economy, but a clear roadmap towards growth and prosperity. In October 2025, Jeremy Hunt came to the Intelligence Squared stage to share his vision of how we can achieve economic renewal. Hunt’s optimism is grounded in the authority of experience. As a former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary and Health Secretary, he held s...
Dec 12, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 3342
