Radio Davos - podcast cover

Radio Davos

World Economic Forumwww.weforum.org
How do we solve the world’s biggest challenges? From climate change to inequality; the rise of big tech and rapid changes in how we live and work. Radio Davos talks to the people who have the ideas, the passion and the power to make change happen in a way that benefits all of us.

Episodes

Workplace wellbeing and WFH: what’s best for business and for you?

Are you happy at work? And if so, do you think that helps you do the job better? Jan-Emmanuel de Neve, Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School thinks so - and says he has the real-world evidence - from companies and millions of employees to prove it. He also says there is evidence that companies with a happy workforce will perform better for shareholders. And he answers the question - does that mean working from home is best, or should we...

Apr 17, 202531 minSeason 1Ep. 198

Can aviation ever be sustainable? Here are some paths to net zero

Aviation is growing, but its environmental impact does not have to - if the technology and policies are available to de-carbonise the sector. We hear from a company making sustainable aviation fuel with waste CO2; the head of one of the world's busiest airports, and from the body representing airports around the world. Hosts: Robin Pomeroy, Podcasts Editor, World Economic Forum; Laia Barbarà, Head, Climate Strategy - Net Zero, World Economic Forum Guests: Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports Ay...

Apr 10, 202544 minSeason 1Ep. 197

Beyond the hype, how industries are deploying AI at the heart of their operations

There was the hype, then the testing, now companies are deploying artificial intelligence at the heart of their operations. We ask one of the world's most prominent AI scientists for his advice for companies, and hear how Siemens is creating the 'brains' to run the factories of the future. Guests: Andrew Ng, managing general partner of AI FUNDS and founder of DeepLearning.AI Cedrik Neike, CEO Digital Industries, Siemens Cathy Li, Head, AI, Data and Metaverse, World Economic Forum Kiva Allgood, H...

Apr 03, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 196

Happy Birthday Radio Davos! What we learned from 5 years of Forum podcasts

Radio Davos is 5 years old - and a lot has happened in that time - the end of COVID, the dawn of gen-AI, geopolitical upheaval. We look back on highlights from the Forum's weekly podcast that looks for solutions to the world’s biggest challenges. This episode includes clips from the very first episode, and interviews with actor Matt Damon on getting water to the poorest; musician Nile Rodgers on generative AI; and an astronaut speaking to us from space. Episodes featured: World Water Day with Ma...

Mar 27, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 195

'I want my daughter to have the same opportunities as my sons - that's not unreasonable,' - Crystal Awardee David Beckham

David Beckham shot to fame in the 1990s playing football for Manchester United and England and boosted the game’s profile in the USA playing for LA Galaxy. Off the pitch he was at the centre of Cool Britiannia-era glamour, marrying Posh Spice pop star-turned-fashion designer Victoria. He’s a global brand, and he has used that fame and influence, among other things, as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations children’s fund, UNICEF, where his 7 Fund - named after the number he wore on the pi...

Mar 20, 202517 minSeason 1Ep. 194

Anxious Generation: how to tackle a mental health pandemic

In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt says there is clear evidence that giving children smart phones with addictive social media has caused a mental health pandemic. The NYU-Stern social psychologist, who also wrote The Happiness Hypothesis, spoke to us at the Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos. Watch the video version of this podcast at www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Find out what the World Economic Forum is doing on mental health: https://initiatives.weforum.org/healthy-workforces/mental-health C...

Mar 12, 202524 minSeason 1Ep. 193

Three experts on how to understand the USA

The Annual Meeting in Davos this year coincided with the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term, and many of the conversations there were about what the world should expect from a newly emboldened Trump 2.0. In interviews conducted at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos in January, three experts help us understand America in 2025. Guests: Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, CEO Editor, Semafor David Rubenstein, co-chairman, The Carlyle Group Walter Mead, Ravenel B. Curry III Dist...

Feb 20, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 192

We'll stop climate change, but 'how soon' is the life-and-death question - Al Gore

As the world record's it's highest ever average global temperatures, and the US, once again, quits the UN climate change pact, Al Gore is surprisingly upbeat on humanity's ability to tackle global warming. He spoke to Radio Davos at the Annual Meeting, where he presented a new system that tracks greenhouse gas emissions around the world, Climate TRACE. Links: Global Risks Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2025/ Climate TRACE: www.climatetrace.org/explore Clima...

Feb 13, 202526 minSeason 1Ep. 190

Tariffs, globalization, and democracy, with Harvard economist Dani Rodrik

Dani Rodrik has long argued against unfettered globalization and supports countries' use of industrial policy to pursue economic development. The Harvard economist joins us to talk about the usefulness and limitations of trade tariffs, economic nationalism, and the impact of global economics on democracy. Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25. Links: World Economic Forum Centre for Regions, Trade and Geopolitics :...

Feb 06, 202530 minSeason 1Ep. 189

What just happened in Davos, and how is the world different now?

What happened at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2025, where the world met to discuss 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age'? On Day 1, Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as US president, and announced he was withdrawing from the Paris climate deal, as well as the World Health Organisation, and vowed to use trade tariffs to re-shore jobs. On Day 4 he addressed the meeting in a link-up from Washington. We hear some of that and talk to the people who lead the Forum's work ...

Jan 30, 20251 hr 14 minSeason 1Ep. 188

The global economy 'at a crossroads' ahead of Davos: Chief Economists Outlook

The world is waiting to see how Donald Trump's return to the White House will affect the global economy and global trade. And that is reflected in the latest Chief Economists Outlook, the Forum's regular survey on the state of the world. World Trade Organization Chief Economist Ralph Ossa gives his take on the Outlook and the prospects for the global economy in 2025 - essential listening ahead of Davos 2025. Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across socia...

Jan 16, 202539 minSeason 1Ep. 187

Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025

What are the global challenges that world leaders will be addressing in Davos? Many of them are contained in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report, a survey of almost 1,000 decision makers and leaders around the world that shows what they consider to be the biggest risks facing humanity in the coming year and in the medium and long terms. The 20th edition of this annual report reveals an increasingly fractured global landscape, where escalating geopolitical, environmental, societal and ...

Jan 15, 202546 minSeason 1Ep. 186

Global Cybersecurity Outlook: the risks we all face and how to fight back

Cyberspace is more complex and challenging than ever due to rapid technological advancements, growing cybercriminal sophistication and deeply interconnected supply chains. The World Economic Forum's new Global Cybersecurity Outlook aims to help us navigate these challenges and strengthen cyber resilience. Akshay Joshi, head of the World Economic Forum's Centre for Cybersecurity talks us through some of the headlines in the Outlook, and two industry experts advise on how to prepare for cyber atta...

Jan 13, 202556 minSeason 1Ep. 185

A music superstar, romance fraud, and life-changing advice: highlights from the Forum's podcasts in 2024

One of the biggest names in music talks about AI and human soul. The victim of the 'Tinder Swindler' highlights a multi-billion dollar cyber crime. And leaders from business and civil society share life-changing advice. In 2024, some of the brightest minds spoke to the World Economic Forum's podcasts Radio Davos and Meet the Leader. In this 'Best Of' episode, podcast hosts Robin Pomeroy and Linda Lacina each select three highlights from a busy year. Featured episodes: AI vs Art: Will AI rip the ...

Dec 19, 202438 minSeason 1Ep. 184

Talks on creating a "Paris Treaty for plastics" just stalled - here's why, and what happens next

UN negotiations that were supposed to produce global rules on plastics have stalled, with no agreement on the scope of the treaty seen as vital to curb ocean pollution and other problems. Clemence Schmid, director of the Global Plastics Action Partnership at the World Economic Forum, gives her readout from the "INC-5" in Busan, South Korean, and says what might happen now. Links: Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP): https://www.globalplasticaction.org/ Circular Industry Solutions for a Glob...

Dec 12, 202428 minSeason 1Ep. 183

Why are humans going back to the Moon, and is there really life on Mars?

Space is back! No longer the reserve of a couple of superpowers, an increasing number of countries are getting involved, and the private sector is playing a greater role than ever. On this episode, NASA Chief Economist Alexander MacDonald talks about plans to return to the Moon, and Pascale Ehrenfreund, president of the Committee on Space Research, explains why we are looking for life on Mars and beyond, and what that might look like. Co-hosted by Nikolai Khlystov, Lead, Space Technology, World ...

Nov 21, 202450 minSeason 1Ep. 182

Top of the tech: the 10 innovations set to change your life

What are 'elastocalorics' or 'reconfigurable intelligent surfaces'? In a few years' time these emerging technologies may have transformed the way we heat and cool our homes, and how we transmit ever greater amounts of data. They are among the technological innovations identified in the World Economic Forum's annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies report, which picks the tech that could transform the world in the coming years. In this video-podcast, the two lead authors of the report take us through...

Oct 24, 202456 minSeason 1Ep. 181

Can climate action survive geopolitical upheaval?

Wars, trade tensions and elections around the world are testing humanity's ability to tackle climate change. Two experts from the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on the Future of Geopolitics look at the diplomacy and real-world reality of climate change politics and economics, with a particular focus on the global South. This episode is published to coincide with the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils, find out more here: https://www.weforum.org/events/annual-meeting-of-th...

Oct 10, 202445 minSeason 1Ep. 180

Slow growth and the cost of debt: the World Bank's Chief Economist on the global outlook

"The global economy - it's a complicated picture, in the sense that it's doing better than we expected just six months ago but it's doing much worse than what it was doing six years ago." World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill gives his assessment of the 'glass half-full' global economy. And as the World Economic Forum publishes the latest edition of its Chief Economists Outlook, the Forum's Head of Economic Growth, Revival and Transformation, Aengus Collins, talks us through the highlights. L...

Sep 25, 202434 minSeason 1Ep. 179

This Is Not Financial Advice: navigating the jungle of online investing

A new, critically acclaimed documentary follows the fortunes of online investors, including one who made - and lost - $3 million in cryptocurrency. The director of This Is Not Financial Advice hopes his movie will help people understand the risks and potential benefits of investing, and how they can educate themselves. Co-host : Meagan Andrews, Lead, Capital Market Initiatives, World Economic Forum Guest : Chris Temple, Film Director at Optimist Links: Centre for Financial and Monetary Systems: ...

Sep 19, 202440 minSeason 1Ep. 178

What role do investors have in ensuring AI is safe?

As investors pour money into companies developing or deploying artificial intelligence, what are the steps they should be taking to ensure that AI is safe and responsible? The Responsible AI Playbook for Investors published by the World Economic Forum and pension fund CPP Investments, sets out real-world examples of how investors can - and must - use their position to promote responsible AI. Guest: Judy Wade , Managing Director, Head of Strategy Execution & Relationship Management, CPP Investmen...

Sep 12, 202429 minSeason 1Ep. 177

Breathe! The cities working together on air pollution and climate change

How can cities - with ever growing populations - tackle air deadly pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Breathe Cities is a global network of cities sharing data, expertise and experience to do just that. Guest: Jaime Pumarejo, Executive Director of Breathe Cities. Links: Breathe Cities: https://breathecities.org/ GAEA - Giving to Amplify Earth Action: https://initiatives.weforum.org/giving-to-amplify-earth-action/ Alliance for Clean Air: https://initiatives.weforum.org/alliance-for-cl...

Sep 04, 202423 minSeason 1Ep. 176

'We have the most to benefit, but also the most to lose': how AI could transform human health

Artificial intelligence has the potential to massively improve human health: from developing new drugs to providing more accurate diagnoses and helping people who live with severe disabilities. But AI also has the potential, if used wrongly or governed badly, to make life worse for people dealing with health problems. In this episode, we hear from people on the front lines of the technology. This episode was first published on 29 May, 2024. Radio Davos will resume new weekly podcasts from Septem...

Aug 29, 202438 minSeason 1Ep. 175

In the age of the 'manosphere', what's the future for feminism? With Jude Kelly of the WOW Festival

Theatre director Jude Kelly founded the Women of the World (WOW) Festival almost two decades ago to spur conversations about women, men and feminism. WOW is now a global phenomenon, but does the rise of online misogyny pose a threat to progress on gender equality. Jude Kelly, who spoke to Radio Davos on World Women's Day 2024, says why it is vital to include men in the conversations about an issue that affects us all. This episode was first published on 28 March, 2024. Radio Davos will resume ne...

Aug 22, 202437 minSeason 1Ep. 174

Meeting in the metaverse: Actor Rainn Wilson joins us on the virtual polar ice

What's Dwight from The Office doing in the metaverse? Actor Rainn Wilson joins us in avatar form to check out a virtual world created by the World Economic Forum that aims to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on the Arctic and the rest of the world. We also hear from Gail Whiteman, Professor of Sustainability at the University of Exeter Business School, and Executive Director of Arctic Basecamp on her hopes for action to stop the Earth reaching disastrous tipping points. And Rebecc...

Aug 15, 202432 minSeason 1Ep. 173

AI vs Art: Will AI rip the soul out of music, movies and art, or help express our humanity?

For half a century, Nile Rodgers has been making hit records that have touched people's hearts around the world. The creative force behind disco pioneers Chic, and some of the best known songs of David Bowie, Madonna and Beyoncé, tells us the definition of an artist: someone whose work "speaks to the souls of a million strangers". But what if generative AI can make music that's just as good? Is AI a threat or a blessing to art and human expression? We also hear from the head of the Hollywood act...

Aug 08, 202441 minSeason 1Ep. 172

How do we ensure the green transition doesn't penalise the poorest?

Going green - in energy, agriculture, industry and elsewhere - will have costs and benefits, so how can we ensure the poorest don't pay the price or miss out on the opportunities? A new report from the World Economic Forum has defined six 'archetype' countries and looks at the differing challenges across the globe, and what policymakers need to know to achieve an 'equitable transition'. Guest: Tarini Fernando, Lead, Equitable Transition, World Economic Forum Links: Accelerating an Equitable Tran...

Aug 01, 202427 minSeason 1Ep. 171

How chemicals companies are joining forces to become more sustainable

Incubated at the World Economic Forum, the Global Impact Coalition (GIC) is an organisation that pools the resources of major chemicals companies to develop ways of making their industry more sustainable. We hear from Charlie Tan, CEO of the GIC, and from two technical experts at the GIC's Research and Development Hub at Netherlands-based research centre TNO. Speakers: Jan Harm Urbanus, Lead Scientist Circular Plastics, TNO Hella Koops, Senior Project Manager and Cluster Lead Circular Plastics, ...

Jul 25, 202433 minSeason 1Ep. 170

"The Centre Must Hold" - what role can centrist politics play in a polarised world?

As populists are on the rise in many countries, how should the moderates respond? We hear from Yair Zivan, the author of a new book called "The Centre Must Hold", who argues that centrism is more than just the mid-point between two extremes, and can be a radical force for good. Links: “The Centre Must Hold: Why Centrism is the Answer to Extremism and Polarisation,” edited by Yair Zivan: https://eandtbooks.com/books/the-centre-must-hold/ Essay by World Economic Forum President Borge Brende: Why a...

Jul 18, 202438 minSeason 1Ep. 169

No laughing matter: Can comedy help us tackle climate change?

Climate change is an extremely serious issue, but can comedy help us cope with - and communicate about - it? We hear from the University of Colorado, Boulder where students can take a course in ‘climate comedy’ that ends in them performing on stage in a comedy club. And we unpack the power of cartoons from the World Economic Forum’s climate ‘cartoonathon’. Thumbnail image: Wade Kimbrough (with the help of A.I.) The caption reads: "Changing paths? That's not in this quarter's budget." Guests: Bet...

Jul 11, 202431 minSeason 1Ep. 168
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast