Margaret MacMillan, an esteemed historian from the University of Oxford, discusses the lasting impact of 9/11 and the evolution of warfare. Sir Nick Carter shares his experiences in Afghanistan, shedding light on drone warfare's complexities. Professor Anthony King highlights the private sector’s role in modern conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, and raises ethical questions about AI in the military. The conversation also touches on the humanitarian crises and the moral dilemmas that arise from technological advancements in warfare.

Join Margaret MacMillan, Emeritus Professor of International History, alongside tech guru James Williams and economist John Kay, as they dissect the profound implications of outsourcing. They explore how corporations have become hollow entities and how individuals are increasingly outsourcing their thoughts to technology. The conversation dives into the pitfalls of digital identity, the changing landscape of advertising, and the ethical challenges of automation. They also uncover the darker side of the wellness industry, urging for greater awareness in this chaotic digital age.

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the godfather of AI, shares insights on the evolution of artificial intelligence and its potential to surpass human intelligence. He warns about the dangers of autonomous weapons on future battlefields. Historian Margaret MacMillan enriches the discussion by highlighting AI's societal impacts while calling for ethical governance in navigating its rapid advancements. Together, they contemplate the transformative benefits and existential risks of this technology, urging timely measures for safety and regulation.

Join historian Margaret MacMillan, celebrated for her award-winning book on the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, as she explores whether the conference squandered a chance at lasting peace. She dives into the Treaty of Versailles, questioning its harsh treatment of Germany and the effectiveness of the League of Nations. The conversation spans potential alternatives, like the role of Bolsheviks and how regional autonomy could have reshaped post-war boundaries. MacMillan critiques the ideals of self-determination amid rising nationalism, reflecting on history's complex legacy.

War - Do we care enough? In this episode, distinguished historian Margaret MacMillan explains why we should care about war and how it’s profoundly impacted our societies, political institutions, values, language and some of our greatest cultural treasures.In conversation with bestselling author and historian Peter Frankopan, MacMillan examines questions such as why warriors are typically men, what role women play, why there are wars with no clear objective or ending, and how non-state actors influence outcomes. Drawing on the themes of MacMillan’s book, 'War: How Conflict Shaped Us', the two also discuss the benefits of war, including votes for women, penicillin, and (arguably) nuclear power. Listen now to discover how war has shaped our past and will continue to shape our future.This event was recorded in November 2020 and produced by Senior Producer Conor Boyle with editing by Daisy Moll—We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be about. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com. At Intelligence Squared we’ve got our own online streaming platform, Intelligence Squared+ and we’d love you to give it a go. It’s packed with more than 20 years’ worth of video debates and conversations on the world’s most important topics as well as exclusive podcast content. Tune in to live events, ask your questions or watch on-demand, totally ad-free with hours of discussion to dive into. Visit intelligencesquaredplus.com to start watching today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For this week's Sunday Debate, we're dipping back into the archive to 2014, when we gathered a panel of expert historians to debate whether Britain was right to fight in the First World War, a tragedy that laid the foundations for decades of destructive upheaval and violence across Europe. To debate the issue, we invited leading historians Margaret MacMillan, Max Hastings, John Charmley and Dominic Sandbrook to an event hosted by journalist, columnist and national security expert, Edward Lucas.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Margaret MacMillan, a renowned historian specializing in the impact of war on society, explores the intricate relationship between war and humanity. She discusses the biological and cultural influences on warfare, highlighting the moral dilemmas faced by soldiers. The conversation dives into how advancements in technology reshape conflicts and the societal shifts that follow, particularly in governance and social equality. MacMillan also reflects on the dual nature of human behavior in war, balancing compassion and violence throughout history.

For this week's Sunday Debate, we're dipping back into the archive to 2014, when we gathered a panel of expert historians to debate whether Britain was right to fight in the First World War, a tragedy that laid the foundations for decades of destructive upheaval and violence across Europe. To debate the issue, we invited leading historians Margaret MacMillan, Max Hastings, John Charmley and Dominic Sandbrook to an event hosted by journalist, columnist and national security expert, Edward Lucas. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be about. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com. At Intelligence Squared we’ve got our own online streaming platform, Intelligence Squared+ and we’d love you to give it a go. It’s packed with more than 20 years’ worth of video debates and conversations on the world’s most important topics as well as exclusive podcast content. Tune in to live events, ask your questions or watch on-demand, totally ad-free with hours of discussion to dive into. Visit intelligencesquaredplus.com to start watching today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sign up for Intelligence Squared Premium here: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ for ad-free listening, bonus content, early access and much more. See below for details.What are the lessons that history can teach us about the Russian war in Ukraine? Recently three of Britain’s most distinguished and bestselling historians – Peter Frankopan, Sir Max Hastings and Margaret MacMillan – came to the Intelligence Squared stage in London to share their insights into the conflict. In conversation with BBC news presenter Jonny Dymond, they examined how politicians and commentators have been using and abusing history to justify their positions on the conflict. How has President Putin been invoking the past to rally support among the Russian people for his actions? Is Putin a 21st-century Hitler who should be defeated at all costs? And as he threatens to use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory, what lessons can we learn from brinkmanship during the Cold War?…We are incredibly grateful for your support. To become an Intelligence Squared Premium subscriber, follow the link: https://iq2premium.supercast.com/ Here’s a reminder of the benefits you’ll receive as a subscriber: Ad-free listening, because we know some of you would prefer to listen without interruption  One early episode per week Two bonus episodes per month A 25% discount on IQ2+, our exciting streaming service, where you can watch and take part in events live at home and enjoy watching past events on demand and without ads  A 15% discount and priority access to live, in-person events in London, so you won’t miss out on tickets Our premium monthly newsletter  Intelligence Squared Merch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, historian Margaret MacMillan, a Professor of International History at Oxford, joins Dan Snow, a renowned historian and documentary maker, to unpack the intricate origins of World War I. They delve into the interplay between imperialism and nationalism, revealing how these pressures shaped the decisions of key leaders. Personal anecdotes highlight the role of family storytelling in understanding history. Lastly, they connect historical insights to contemporary politics, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past to navigate today’s challenges.