Podcast
The Next Big Thing: A Megatrends Podcast
Hosted by WisdomTree · EN
Megatrends are changing our world. We’ve seen the internet and smartphones transform our lives and, more recently, have seen artificial intelligence touted as ‘the next big thing’, with the emergence of software like ChatGPT. So, what’s next?
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Space is becoming the world's next factory | The Next Big Thing
2w ago00:48:32Tap to summarizeFor decades, space has been about exploration, satellites and rockets. But what if its biggest opportunity is manufacturing? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we explore how space is becoming a new frontier for industrial production. We speak with Jacques Fossey, CTO of BioOrbit, about how microgravity is opening up entirely new possibilities for manufacturing, particularly in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. We discuss why certain medicines can be manufactured more effectively in orbit, how falling launch costs are making commercial space manufacturing increasingly viable, and why the next generation of space stations could become automated production facilities. The conversation also explores the future of in-space research, the role of SpaceX and commercial launch providers, and how manufacturing beyond Earth could reshape industries ranging from healthcare to advanced materials.
Transcribe →Dylan Patel on the infrastructure powering the AI revolution | The Next Big Thing
Jul 901:06:37Tap to summarizeArtificial intelligence is transforming industries around the world. But beneath every AI model sits an increasingly complex infrastructure stack powering it all. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Dylan Patel, founder of SemiAnalysis, about the technologies underpinning the AI revolution. From GPUs, memory and networking to data centres, energy and power infrastructure, the conversation explores how every layer of the AI stack is evolving to meet unprecedented demand. We discuss the rise of AI agents, why CPUs are becoming increasingly important alongside GPUs, the changing role of memory and networking, and why power generation is emerging as one of the biggest constraints on AI growth. The episode also explores how companies across the semiconductor and infrastructure ecosystem are responding to one of the largest industrial buildouts in decades.
Transcribe →Rare earths: rebuilding the supply chains powering the future | The Next Big Thing
Jun 2500:50:53Tap to summarizeRare earths are no longer just a niche mining story. They sit at the centre of some of the most important trends shaping the global economy, from electric vehicles and robotics to AI infrastructure, drones and defence systems. Yet the real challenge is not simply finding these materials. It is building the supply chains needed to process them and turn them into the products modern industry depends on. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Ryan Corbett, Chief Financial Officer of MP Materials, about the race to rebuild rare earth supply chains. We explore China's dominance across mining, refining and magnet production, why NdPr is emerging as a critical bottleneck, and why demand is broadening well beyond electric vehicles. The conversation also examines the role of industrial policy, supply chain security and vertical integration in building a resilient materials ecosystem.
Transcribe →The software behind the quantum revolution | The Next Big Thing
Jun 1600:52:36Tap to summarizeAs breakthroughs continue across the industry, the focus is increasingly shifting towards how quantum technologies can be deployed to solve real-world problems.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we explore the software, algorithms and platforms helping drive the quantum revolution. The conversation examines how organisations are preparing for a quantum-enabled future, how hybrid quantum-classical workflows are emerging, and why software is becoming a critical bridge between quantum hardware and practical applications. We discuss the growing momentum across the quantum ecosystem, the role of AI in accelerating quantum development, and how enterprises are building quantum-ready capabilities today. The episode also explores what investors should watch as the industry evolves and why software may play a central role in unlocking the next generation of quantum applications.
Transcribe →Quantum computing, AI and the future of problem solving
May 1500:58:37Tap to summarizeQuantum computing is often discussed as a future technology. But what if parts of that future are already here? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Nathan Mason from BQP about the growing convergence between quantum computing, artificial intelligence and high performance computing. From cybersecurity and aerospace to logistics and space infrastructure, the conversation explores how quantum-inspired algorithms are already solving real-world problems today.
Transcribe →From EVs to data centres: the growing demand for lithium | The Next Big Thing
Apr 1600:58:24Tap to summarizeLithium sits at the heart of the energy transition, but the story is evolving.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Ana Cabral, CEO of Sigma Lithium, to explore the shifting dynamics of the lithium market. From electric vehicles to data centres, they discuss how new sources of demand are reshaping the outlook for lithium.They also dive into cost discipline, sustainable mining, and how Sigma Lithium has built one of the lowest-cost and most environmentally focused operations in the industry. From supply challenges to long-term demand trends, this conversation goes beyond prices to uncover what really drives the lithium market.
Transcribe →Europe’s structural shift: defence and infrastructure in focus | The Next Big Thing
Apr 900:57:31Tap to summarizeEurope is entering a new phase, one defined by defence spending, infrastructure investment and a renewed focus on strategic autonomy.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir is joined by Aneeka Gupta and Baoqi Zhu to unpack two of the most important themes shaping Europe today: defence and infrastructure. From the shift from budgets to execution in defence, to the growing investment gap in infrastructure, they explore how policy, geopolitics, and long-term demand are driving a structural transformation.
Transcribe →Energy, geopolitics, and AI: the themes shaping 2026 | The Next Big Thing
Mar 1600:57:08Tap to summarizeThematic investing is being reshaped by three powerful forces: rising energy demand, intensifying geopolitics, and the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti discuss the key themes from our latest thematic outlook. They explore the concept of energy addition, the growing importance of nuclear power, the strategic role of rare earth metals, and how the global race for AI infrastructure is changing markets.From defence spending and drone technology to the evolving outlook for software and semiconductors, this conversation connects the dots across the themes shaping markets in 2026.For European investors, explore the outlook here: wisdomtree.eu/outlook
Transcribe →From chatbots to robots: the rise of physical AI | The Next Big Thing
Feb 2701:00:30Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Blake Heimann to explore the rise of physical AI. From humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles to drones and industrial automation, they unpack what it means for AI to move beyond software and into physical systems.They discuss the role of edge computing, Nvidia’s ecosystem, the economics of humanoids, battery constraints, supply chains, and the geopolitical race between the United States and China. If generative AI was the first chapter, physical AI may be the next.
Transcribe →How RENK is scaling mobility for the next generation of defence platforms | The Next Big Thing
Feb 1200:55:19Tap to summarizeAs defence platforms evolve, so do the systems that power them. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Alexander Sagel, CEO of RENK Group, about how the company is scaling its global operations to meet the demands of modern defence. From UGVs and tracked vehicles to naval propulsion systems, they explore how RENK is investing in mobility technologies, digital integration, and long-term production capacity to support defence programmes well into the 2040s.
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