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Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared
Artificial Intelligence
Russia
Climate Change
China
Donald Trump
Mental Health
Afghanistan
Ukraine
World War II
United States
Clean Water
Philosophy
Sotheby's
Taliban
Wateraid
9/11
Vladimir Putin
Israel
CIA
Social Media

Ideas shape the world. Intelligence Squared brings you the conversations that explain them. In every episode, we bring together leading thinkers, writers, scientists, policymakers and entrepreneurs, to challenge assumptions, test ideas and debate the questions shaping our future. If you want to think more clearly about the world and where it's heading, you're in the right place. If you’d like to s... more

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Latest Episodes

Since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran in late February, the world has changed dramatically. More than fourteen countries have now become embroiled in the conflict and there is widespread fear the war could impact the... more

This is an episode of Hotels with History, produced by Intelligence Squared on behalf of Perowne International⁠.

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Forensic science has transformed the way crimes are investigated and justice is delivered. From fingerprints and DNA to new forms of anatomical identification, its breakthroughs have helped solve cases once thought impossible. Yet when evidence is mi... more

We are deeply confused about artificial intelligence: what it is, who it serves and whether it is leading us towards utopia or catastrophe. But according to AI ethicist Dr Eleanor Drage, these dramatic narratives often distract us from the urgent pro... more

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Recent Guests

Eleanor Drage
AI ethicist and senior research fellow
Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, Cambridge
Episode: Should We Stop Catastrophising About AI? With Eleanor Drage and Carl Miller
Robert Peston
Journalist, broadcaster and author
BBC / Author
Episode: The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook, with Robert Peston (Part Two)
Ita O'Brien
Pioneering intimacy coordinator behind major contemporary works
Independent/intimacy coordination practice
Episode: How Sex Scenes in Film Can Reshape Real Intimacy, With Intimacy Coordinator Ita O’Brien
Hans van de Ven
Historian of modern China and professor of modern Chinese history at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: How Did World War II Create Modern Asia? With Professor Hans van de Ven
Maggie O'Farrell
award-winning author of Hamnet; writer of Land
Author
Episode: An Evening with Maggie O’Farrell: Land (Part Two)
Baroness Beeban Kidron
Crossbench peer, filmmaker, founder of Five Rights Foundation
Five Rights Foundation
Episode: Can We Make the Internet Safe for Children? With Baroness Beeban Kidron
Zanny Minton Beddoes
Editor-in-chief of The Economist
The Economist
Episode: Andrew Ross Sorkin and Zanny Minton Beddoes on Markets, Crashes and The Future of The Global Economy (Part Two)
Andrew Ross Sorkin
Author, New York Times columnist and CNBC presenter
The New York Times / DealBook
Episode: Andrew Ross Sorkin and Zanny Minton Beddoes on Markets, Crashes and The Future of The Global Economy (Part Two)
Charlotte Proudman
Barrister and author of He Said, She Said
Barrister, founder of Right to Equality
Episode: Is Our Justice System Failing Women? With Barrister Charlotte Proudman

Host

Hannah Lucinda Smith
Multiple episode host and moderator with involvement in live events and debates.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • UFO Misinformation

    The latest UFO episode was garbage! 👎🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    PawdKast
    United States2 months ago
  • Consistently Exceptional

    I listen to many and varied podcasts. Intelligence2 is consistently exceptional, nuanced, well researched, thought through and….witty!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Palafoxiana
    United States3 months ago
  • Great, with one « but »

    One issue: the journalist Adam talks way too much. His questions are too long and convoluted. Would really replace him. I find that he takes away from the guests and makes the podcast difficult to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    UmbBra
    Switzerland3 months ago
  • Afraid

    Intelligence squared always seemed a great place for debate until the

    Israeli genocide started. Then silence.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lonnach123
    Ireland6 months ago
  • Prostate cancer - Intelligence Halved

    I listened to this 30 minute episode and know absolutely nothing more about prostate cancer than I did going in (which was very little). 30 minutes of vague generalities that could have applied to just about any disease or condition. You have three experts on, plus a moderator that presumably did some research - provide some actual details about the unique experiences of prostate cancer, symptoms, treatment, prognosis, typical course of the disease, etc.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    DigDug2222222
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Sound quality and access for non-subscribers are common criticisms.
Nuanced, well-researched debates with engaging guests.
Episodes on complex topics are praised for depth and context.
Some viewers feel pacing or guest balance could improve.
Live-event energy and guest authority are often highlighted positives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

An Evening with Maggie O’Farrell: Land (Part Two)
Q: How do you balance factual research with fiction when you have living relatives involved?
There is a responsibility to respect real people; I gather as much information as possible but choose to fictionalize or omit certain details to protect family privacy and to keep the storytelling focused on the narrative.
An Evening with Maggie O’Farrell: Land (Part Two)
Q: Why did you choose to write Hamnet in the present tense?
To collapse the distance between these people and us, making their world feel immediate and emotionally present, while still acknowledging the vast differences in time and context between then and now.
How Did World War II Create Modern Asia? With Professor Hans van de Ven
Q: Why did Stalin choose to patronize the Chinese Nationalists over the Communists, and what impact did that have on the Chinese Civil War and the region?
Stalin pursued a pragmatic geopolitical strategy, supporting the stronger anti-Japanese front and ensuring a divided China to limit threats on multiple fronts, while continuing to train and aid the Communists as needed; this helped prolong Chinese resistance and shaped postwar regional balance.
How Did World War II Create Modern Asia? With Professor Hans van de Ven
Q: How was World War II viewed by ordinary people in Asia, and how does that memory differ across regions like China, India, Indonesia, and elsewhere?
Public memory varies by country and era; in China, for example, World War II memory shifted from a revolutionary narrative to nationalist memory, and more recently has been reinterpreted within the context of state narratives and the Communist Revolution, while other nations preserve diverse memories tied to independence struggles and colonial legacies.
How Did World War II Create Modern Asia? With Professor Hans van de Ven
Q: When did you first start thinking about this approach to World War II in Asia, and why do you think scholarship focused on the Western experience?
The author explains that the perspective began during Brexit and a broader realization that Asia's wartime history is essential to understanding the era's global shifts, including nationalist movements and the emergence of modern Asian states, which require moving beyond a European/Western-centric framework.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Intelligence Squared

What is Intelligence Squared about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Lively, idea-driven conversations that mix in-depth interviews with expert authors and live debates. Recent episodes span economics, language preservation, science and health, UFO culture, history, and AI ethics, all explored through accessible storytelling, data-driven analysis, and personal anecdotes. The format often pairs a prominent host with leading researchers, journalists, and thinkers, producing thoughtful takes on complex topics while weaving in audience questions at live events. It's probably especially appealing to curious, well-educated listeners who enjoy big-picture thinking, rigorous argument, and cross-disciplinary views, with a penchant for clear explanations and engaging narrative.

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Which podcasts are similar to Intelligence Squared?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Intelligence Squared:

1. Open to Debate
2. The Intelligence from The Economist
3. Past Present Future
4. Making Sense with Sam Harris
5. In Our Time

How many episodes of Intelligence Squared are there?

Intelligence Squared launched 13 years ago and published 1719 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Intelligence Squared?

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What guests have appeared on Intelligence Squared?

Recent guests on Intelligence Squared include:

1. Eleanor Drage
2. Robert Peston
3. Ita O'Brien
4. Hans van de Ven
5. Maggie O'Farrell
6. Baroness Beeban Kidron
7. Zanny Minton Beddoes
8. Andrew Ross Sorkin

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