Andrew Leigh

Andrew Leigh, a member of the Australian Parliament and author of "What's the Worst That Could Happen?", dives into the urgent necessity of addressing existential risks like climate change and pandemics. He emphasizes how current political frameworks often fail to tackle unlikely but catastrophic threats. The conversation explores the intersection of policy and public perception, critiques political dismissals of AI risks, and underscores the moral responsibility to future generations. Leigh advocates for proactive measures and bipartisan consensus in the face of looming global challenges.

Andrew Leigh is an Australian economist, author, and politician, currently serving as the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury. He discusses how economic principles have shaped historical events, such as trade barriers during the 1930s and the Allies' victory in World War II. Leigh also delves into the book-writing process while balancing family life and his political career. He highlights the motherhood penalty's impact on economic inequality, drawing on relevant research to underscore its importance for future policies.