

Radio Davos
World Economic Forum
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
Mentioned books

May 29, 2025 • 42min
“Trillions of dollars added to the economy” - Google’s chief economist on the macro impact of AI
The World Economic Forum's latest Chief Economists Outlook highlights the risks posed by global trade tensions; and examines the potential impact AI will have on economic growth. Google's chief economist, Fabien Curto Millet, gives his take on the Outlook and the impact of GenAI, which he calls "the most exciting thing technologically I've seen in my lifetime". Links: Chief Economists Outlook May 2025: https://wef.ch/chiefeconmay25 Related podcasts: The global economy 'at a crossroads' ahead of Davos: Chief Economists Outlook: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-ralph-ossa-wto/ Slow growth and the cost of debt: the World Bank's Chief Economist on the global outlook: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-world-bank-indermit-gill/ The global economy is slowing - here's why that may not be such a bad thing: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/chief-economists-outlook-september-2023-jerome-haegeli-swiss-re/ Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

May 22, 2025 • 31min
Humans rely on the ocean. Here's how both can thrive
Humans rely on the ocean, not just for food, but for industries such as shipping, telecommunications, and renewable energy - as well as its vital role in absorbing carbon and regulating the climate. Is there a way to make our interactions with the ocean beneficial to the ecosystems? Alfredo Giron, head of Friends of Ocean Action, believes 'Marine Prosperity Areas' could do just that. Links: Friends of Ocean Action: https://www.weforum.org/friends-of-ocean-action/ Ocean Action Agenda: https://initiatives.weforum.org/ocean-action-agenda/home Marine Prosperity Areas: https://www.weforum.org/friends-of-ocean-action/marine-prosperity-areas-represent-a-new-hope-in-conservation/ Related episodes: Talks on creating a "Paris Treaty for plastics" just stalled - here's why, and what happens next How the 'Wild Wet West' was won: why the UN High Seas Treaty is big news What are the 'positive tipping points' that could help us accelerate out of climate disaster? Why the ocean is key to fighting climate change Summer special: sharks and tunes Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

May 6, 2025 • 1h 3min
Stock markets and supermarkets: how business is deploying AI
In the second of our series looking at how AI is being deployed across industry sectors, we look at financial services and consumer goods, with the head of London Stock Exchange Group and the chief strategy and transformation officer at PepsiCo. Guests: David Schwimmer, CEO, LSEG Athina Kanioura, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, PepsiCo Drew Propson, Head, Technology and Innovation in Financial Service, World Economic Forum Zara Ingilizian, Head, Consumer Industries, World Economic Forum Reports: Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services: https://www.weforum.org/publications/industries-in-the-intelligent-age-white-paper-series/financial-services/ Transforming Consumer Industries in the Age of AI: https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Transforming_Consumer_Industries_in_the_Age_of_AI_2025.pdf Previous episodes in this series: Beyond the hype, how industries are deploying AI at the heart of their operations Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

May 1, 2025 • 59min
"Pause reality" - portrait maker Platon on photography, power and AI
Platon has photographed the most famous and powerful people of recent times, but his latest book is portraits of human rights activists, the poor and oppressed. In this interview, first published on Meet the Leader, he talks about the enduring power of photography in the age of AI, and why the most powerful people are often the most scared. This interview was first published on Meet the Leader. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIUGFUza2ec&t=536s Read more: "Learn first, judge later" – photographer Platon on making portraits of dictators and the downtrodden: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/platon-the-photographer-of-power-and-the-powerless/ Related podcasts: Ballerina Misty Copeland: Unlocking potential and a leader’s most ‘vital’ role AI vs Art: Will AI rip the soul out of music, movies and art, or help express our humanity? Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

Apr 17, 2025 • 31min
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 all go back to the office? Links: Thriving Workplaces: How Employers can Improve Productivity and Change Lives: https://www.weforum.org/publications/thriving-workplaces-how-employers-can-improve-productivity-and-change-lives/ Future of Jobs Report 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/ Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/news/jan-emmanuel-de-neve-launches-latest-book-workplace-wellbeing-and-why-it-matters Related podcasts: Wharton psychologist Adam Grant: How to rethink the work day - and the soft skill future leaders need: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/adam-grant-skills-future-leaders-work/ The future of jobs requires a ‘skills-first’ mindset - for employers and for you: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/skills-first-jobs/ Intel's HR chief on reskilling and building teams for the future: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/christy-pambianchi-intel-ai-jobs-reskilling/ IKEA HR chief shares decades of career lessons learned and what’s needed to bridge the gender equity gap: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/ulrika-biesert-ingka-group-gender-equity/ Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

Apr 10, 2025 • 44min
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 Ayesha Choudhury, Chief Commercial Officer at Infinium Justin Erbacci, Director General of Airports Council International World Links: Airports of Tomorrow: https://initiatives.weforum.org/airports-of-tomorrow/home Global Aviation Sustainability Outlook 2025: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-aviation-sustainability-outlook-2025/ Related podcasts: The energy transition moonshot: innovations that will transform our world Flying without emissions: how hydrogen is greening aviation An energy company is building the world's largest airplane. Here's why Skills are changeable - passions are not: Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

11 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 39min
Beyond the hype, how industries are deploying AI at the heart of their operations
Andrew Ng, managing general partner of AI Fund and founder of DeepLearning.AI, is joined by Cedrik Neike, CEO of Digital Industries at Siemens, and Kiva Allgood from the World Economic Forum. They delve into how AI is transitioning from experimental phases to core operational functionalities across industries. Key discussions include leveraging AI for enhanced manufacturing efficiency, the necessity of workforce upskilling, and addressing misconceptions surrounding AI. The importance of practical applications over hype is emphasized, alongside sustainable practices powered by AI.

Mar 27, 2025 • 30min
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 Matt Damon and Gary White: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/world-water-day-with-matt-damon-and-gary-white/ Space - how advances up there can help life down here: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/space-how-advances-up-there-can-help-life-down-here/ Don't Look Up: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/dont-look-up/ In the age of the 'manosphere', what's the future for feminism? With Jude Kelly of the WOW Festival: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/jude-kelly-wow-foundation/ The promises and perils of AI - Stuart Russell on Radio Davos: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/ai-stuart-russell/ AI vs Art: Will AI rip the soul out of music, movies and art, or help express our humanity?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/ai-vs-art-nile-rodgers-hollywood/ Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

Mar 20, 2025 • 17min
'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 pitch - works in schools around the world to combat bullying, violence, child marriage and missed education. Beckham, who turns 50 this year, was at the Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos to receive a Crystal Award, which the Forum bestows on people in arts and entertainment who have gone beyond the day job to help improve the state of the world. At a time when overseas development is under pressure like never before, and with a rise in online misogyny, we spoke to David Beckham about his work with UNICEF and his role as a father. Catch up on all the action from the Annual Meeting 2025 at wef.ch/wef25 and across social media using the hashtag #WEF25. Related podcasts: What just happened in Davos, and how is the world different now? https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/davos-2025-what-just-happened/ Global Risks Report: the big issues facing the world at Davos 2025 https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/global-risks-report-2025/ The 90-year-old using sports to change the lives of refugees https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/refugees-unhcr-sport-claude-marshall/ Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts: YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552 Join the World Economic Forum Podcast Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wefpodcastclub

Mar 12, 2025 • 24min
Anxious Generation: how to tackle a mental health pandemic
In this discussion, Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist from NYU-Stern and author of The Anxious Generation, delves into the mental health crisis affecting today's youth. He reveals how the rise of smartphones and social media has fueled anxiety and depression, particularly among teenage girls. Haidt advocates for phone-free schools to foster genuine interactions and improve learning. He also highlights the paradox of digital connectivity leading to loneliness and offers guidelines for healthy tech use to support children's mental health.