Economist Podcasts – "What in the World: Predictions for 2026"

Host: The Economist (Jason Palmer & Rosie Blore)
Guest: Tom Standage (Deputy Editor, The Economist)
Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

The Economist’s New Year episode explores their annual "World Ahead" predictions, focusing on what might shape 2026 across politics, geopolitics, technology, and business. The hosts reflect on the accuracy of prior forecasts, highlight emerging global trends, and celebrate the 20-year history of Economist podcasts with anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories.

Key Discussion Points

1. Reviewing Predictions for 2025

Host: Rosie Blore
Guest: Tom Standage
Timestamps: 01:37 – 04:13

• Successes

  • Correctly predicted an uncertain year, largely due to Donald Trump’s presidency.
    • "We said it was going to be Trump, technology, and uncertainty that would sort of shape the year." (Tom, 01:51)
  • Expected muted economic effect from Trump-imposed tariffs.
  • Forecasted Chinese tech adaptation to US export controls, illustrated by a breakthrough from a Chinese AI company using less powerful chips (the "deep seq moment").
  • Warned about China’s potential to weaponize control of rare earth materials, which came to pass in 2025.

• Misses

  • Overestimated the role of US courts in constraining Trump’s actions; judicial checks didn't materialize as expected.
  • Failed to anticipate the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria or the South Korean coup attempt (both in 2024).
  • Did not foresee flareups in India-Pakistan and Cambodia-Thailand.
  • Overestimated Western progress on fiscal deficits and anticipated an AI-market correction that did not materialize.
    • "I think we're just going to see that in 2026 instead." (Tom, 04:11)

2. Headline Predictions for 2026

Timestamps: 04:13 – 06:08

• Certainties

  • Astronomical Events: Anticipating a solar eclipse.
  • America’s 250th: The US will hold the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, made complex by rival commemorative committees—one established by Congress and a rival by Trump, with "a slightly different agenda."
    • "Among other things, they are planning to stage a cage fight on the lawn of the White House. I thought... this was a joke, but this is actually what's happening." (Tom, 05:20)

• US Political Dynamics

  • The dual organizing committees and their differing visions are "a very apt metaphor for the nature of US politics right now." (Tom, 05:31)
  • Emphasis on the upcoming US midterms as a decision point for the nation's trajectory.

• Geo-economic Themes

  • Continued uncertainty hurting Europe (deficits, defense spending, slow growth).
  • Current "chaos" is shifting global perceptions; China appears "the adult in the room," outplaying America in trade wars and becoming more appealing as a global partner.
  • "America has been trashing its soft power... China, meanwhile, has been building its soft power." (Tom, 05:51)
  • The rise of Chinese consumer brands, not just TikTok or BYD electric cars, but others (Leboo highlighted).

3. Technology & Science: What’s Next?

Timestamps: 06:08 – 09:56

• Humanoid Robots

  • Multiple firms, including major car companies (not just Tesla), are investing in humanoid robots.
  • Early use includes factory and limited home tasks (folding laundry, emptying dishwashers).
    • "The robots aren’t capable of doing all of that stuff on their own yet. They're actually being remotely guided... generating lots of video and training data." (Tom, 07:22)
  • Strategy: Get robots into homes (sometimes at below cost) to gather training data and improve their learning.
  • Example: 1X robot priced at $20,000—sold below manufacturing cost to encourage adoption and data generation.
    • "You're really giving the robot company data." (Tom, 07:51)

• Energy Technology

  • World's largest geothermal station to open in Utah, backed by Google.
  • Surge in geothermal due to energy demand from AI/data centers and tech advances borrowed from fracking (sideways drilling).
    • "It's drill, baby, drill, but in a good way." (Tom, 08:38)

• Weight Loss Drugs (GLP-1)

  • Next-generation slimming drugs arriving in 2026: more effective, cheaper (due to patent expirations), monthly and oral doses (easier distribution).
  • Broader health benefits: reduced heart, kidney, liver disease; slower cancer progression; reduced compulsive behaviors.
    • "Frankly, the more people who take them, the better." (Tom, 09:51)
  • "We're really only at the beginning." (Tom, 09:11)

4. Where to Learn More

Timestamps: 10:00 – 10:10

• Tom will discuss these topics in depth on the video show "Inside Tech" (available via The Economist app and website).

5. 20 Years of Economist Podcasts: Evolution and Anecdotes

Timestamps: 11:46 – 20:23

• Origins and Early Challenges

  • Started 20 years ago informally as an experiment; podcasts seemed a natural extension for journalists.
    • "It wasn't something that... was a tremendously big strategic decision. It was a possibility... these days." (Daniel Franklin, 12:39)
  • Early days were "very amateur and experimental." Studios likened to "a wartime bunker," plagued by technical setbacks and noisy neighbors.
    • "Somebody basically rang me up and asked me questions and recorded it all... over a landline." (Tom, 14:14)
    • "Back then... we didn't [have digital recorders], most people didn't own a digital audio recorder." (Tom, 14:18)
    • Basement offices with warnings on doors "because there was asbestos behind there." (Jason, 15:26; Daniel, 15:32)

• Milestones and Memorable Moments

  • Economist podcast featured as the default demo on iPods in Apple Stores—a major early accolade.
    • "The demo podcast that you could play... was from the Economist and that was amazing." (Tom, 13:53)
  • Covered a range of stories from war zones in Ukraine ("met a bunch of old people today, got hugged a lot..." – field reporter, 16:18), scam compounds in Southeast Asia, and US nuclear facilities.

• Behind the Scenes & Bloopers

  • Stories of malfunctioning equipment, awkward studios, unexpected interruptions (family members, food delivery, etc.), and jokes about skipping to the last five minutes for answers.
    • "Can the sound of my wife walking down the staircase actually interrupt my recording of the Babbage podcast?" (Tom, 18:36)
    • Fictional "Economist-themed erotic fiction: You Don't Want to know where that invisible hand has been." (Tom, 19:00)

• Reflections on Growth

  • Unexpected success and audience reach for Economist audio journalism.
    • "None of us would have imagined quite how big it would have become for us. What a superstar you would have become, Jason, household name." (Daniel Franklin, 19:52)
    • "It was a sideshow, frankly, for the Economist at the time." (Daniel, 19:56)
    • "Journalists like talking. It's easy... Words are what we do best." (Daniel, 20:08)

Notable Quotes

• On 2025 Predictions:
  "We said there would be a lot of uncertainty because of Donald Trump. Surprise, surprise, that was a pretty safe bet." (Tom, 01:51)

• On China’s Tech Strength:
  "Chinese engineers were very, very good at engineering their way around the restrictions being placed on them by US Export controls." (Tom, 02:20)

• On Trump and Political Uncertainty:
  "We were a bit too blase... about the extent to which the courts would constrain Trump. And actually that hasn't happened." (Tom, 02:56)

• On US Political Celebrations:
  "Among other things, they are planning to stage a cage fight on the lawn of the White House... a very apt metaphor for the nature of US politics right now." (Tom, 05:20, 05:31)

• On the Evolution of Journalism:
  "Back then... we didn't [have digital recorders]. Most people didn't own a digital audio recorder... It really is extraordinary, the fidelity with which we can record all of these things all the time." (Tom, 14:18)

• On the Growth of Podcasting:
  "It was a sideshow, frankly, for the Economist at the time... I don't think there was a realization... that it was going to be as important and with such a huge audience as it has now." (Daniel, 19:56)

Timeline of Important Segments

• Predictions Recap for 2025: 01:37–04:13
• 2026 Predictions (Politics, Geopolitics): 04:13–06:08
• Technology Trends for 2026: 06:08–09:56
• Where to Learn More: 10:00–10:10
• 20 Years of Economist Podcasts: 11:46–20:23

Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, analytical, and lightly humorous, combining serious predictions with moments of self-deprecation and industry nostalgia. The show exhibits the Economist’s signature blend of intellectual rigor, dry wit, and global awareness.

For New Listeners

This episode provides a concise, thoughtful look at what 2026 may hold across global politics, technology, and business, plus a reflective celebration of two decades in podcasting—a must-listen for those seeking both up-to-date analysis and an inside look at audio journalism’s evolution.