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Tools and Weapons with Brad Smith

Microsoft, Brad Smith
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft
AI Diffusion Report
UAE
Generative AI
Fashion Design
South Korea
Creativity
Global North
Global South
Artificial Intelligence For Good
Cybersecurity
MIT
Netflix
Deepseek
Singapore
Social Media
Climate Change
Technology
AI

Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith speaks with leaders in government, business, and culture to explore the world’s most critical challenges at the intersection of technology and society. As a 30-year veteran of an industry driven by disruption, Brad Smith hosts candid conversations with his guests that examine, reframe, and explore potential solutions to the digital issues shaping our w... more

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Latest Episodes

At a moment some are calling the “Mythos Moment” for artificial intelligence, the conversation around technology is shifting in real time. In this episode of Tools and Weapons, Brad Smith sits down with former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, now worki... more

Juan Lavista Ferres, Microsoft Chief Data Scientist and Director of the AI for Good Lab, joins Brad Smith to unpack the latest AI diffusion report and what it reveals about how artificial intelligence is spreading around the world.

In this quarterly... more

A lot of people are asking the same question right now: Will I be left behind? 

In this episode, Brad Smith sits down with Ryan Roslansky, CEO of LinkedIn and Executive Vice President at Microsoft, for a practical conversation about AI, the future ... more

Wildfires devastate communities, ecosystems, and lives, and they are becoming harder to stop. But what if firefighters could spot a blaze in its earliest moments, before anyone even calls 911?

In this episode of Tools and Weapons, Brad Smith travels... more

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Recent Guests

Rishi Sunak
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; advisor to Microsoft and Anthropic
Microsoft; Anthropic
Episode: AI's Mythos Moment: Rishi Sunak on preparing governments for AI
Juan Lavista Ferres
Chief Data Scientist and Director of Microsoft's AI for Good Lab
Microsoft AI for Good Lab
Episode: Special Edition: Tracking AI diffusion in Q1 2026
Ryan Roslansky
CEO of LinkedIn
LinkedIn (owner of LinkedIn platform)
Episode: Ryan Roslansky: Turning AI Anxiety into Skills for the Future of Work
Zachary Wells
Deputy Fire Chief, Ventura County Fire Department
Ventura County Fire Department
Episode: Everybody Goes Home: How technology is helping prevent wildfires from spreading
Neal Driscoll
Professor, University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
Episode: Everybody Goes Home: How technology is helping prevent wildfires from spreading
Khaldoon Al Mubarak
CEO of Mubadala, one of the world's most influential sovereign wealth funds
Mubadala
Episode: His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak: Investing in an AI-Driven World
Jeffrey Ding
Professor at George Washington University and author of Technology and the Rise of Great Powers
George Washington University
Episode: Jeffrey Ding: AI and the Rise of Great Powers
Norma Kamali
Fashion icon with nearly six decades of experience, known for her innovative designs
N/A
Episode: Norma Kamali: From canvas to code, redefining creativity with AI
Maria Ressa
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Journalist, CEO of Rappler
Rappler
Episode: Maria Ressa: Turning crisis into opportunity

Host

Brad Smith
Microsoft Vice Chair and President; host focused on exploring technology's impact on society through candid conversations with leaders across government, business, and culture.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 170 ratings
  • Bullsh

    Springer in General and Döpfner in particular is one of the biggest Enemies of Pluralismus and democracy , he is Ultra Rich and a cheap Propagandist - This Podcast is as misleading as the Springer Outlets - now Microsoft Buisness guy tries journalism- Inform yourself smith

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jan_Journl
    Germanya year ago
  • 19 Episodes

    Brad Smith I thank you for 19 episodes (so far) of your fascinating conversations and commentary of Microsoft technology and innovation, connecting with people who are helping to shape and secure humanity’s future.

    K Fischer

    Albuquerque, NM

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kfschr
    United States2 years ago
  • Time to consider these important decisions about the development and use of AI. Tomorrow will be to late.

    Audible
    5
    Peaceful
    United States3 years ago
  • It's time

    Time to consider these important decisions about the development and use of AI. Tomorrow will be to late.

    Audible
    5
    Peaceful
    United States3 years ago
  • Insightful + Timely

    Brad Smith is a natural. The conversation is sharp, lively, and informative. It’s rare to hear a prominent tech exec speaks so openly and honestly about the promise and peril of her or his own industry. Refreshing, timely, and insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FScott2
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Brad Smith's interviewing style is engaging and articulate, with a focus on actionable takeaways for leaders.
Guests and topics are often timely and provocative, offering fresh perspectives on AI and governance.
Listeners praise candid, insightful chats with tech and policy leaders.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#248
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#99
Canada/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#180
United Kingdom/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#116
Hong Kong/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#120
Colombia/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#168
Indonesia/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Special Edition: Tracking AI diffusion in Q1 2026
Q: What about the North-South and urban-rural gaps in AI diffusion?
Gaps persist due to differences in electricity access, internet penetration, and digital skills; closing the AI gap will require addressing all these infrastructural and educational components, not just deploying models.
Special Edition: Tracking AI diffusion in Q1 2026
Q: What is driving growth in Asia, and how is language affecting adoption?
Growth is propelled by improvements in language model performance in non-English languages, particularly Japanese and Korean, which reduces barriers to use and enables localized applications, supported by investments from major AI players and regional pilots.
Special Edition: Tracking AI diffusion in Q1 2026
Q: What gives the AI for Good Lab the ability to prepare these estimates across countries and counties?
The team leverages billions of devices and privacy-preserving data to measure AI usage by country and by county, adjusting for internet penetration, device type, and other factors to create apples-to-apples comparisons and track trends over time.
AI's Mythos Moment: Rishi Sunak on preparing governments for AI
Q: What are the biggest challenges in international coordination on AI governance, especially with countries like China?
Sunak notes the need for inclusive dialogue, recognizing China's role in AI development, while stressing the importance of common standards and reciprocal trust across security institutes to avoid fragmented regulatory regimes.
AI's Mythos Moment: Rishi Sunak on preparing governments for AI
Q: How did you handle the inclusion of private companies and non-state actors in a global governance framework?
He emphasizes a balance between innovation and security, advocating for forums where governments, labs, and private companies collaborate, and for pre-deployment testing paired with independent security institutes rather than heavy-handed regulation.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tools and Weapons

What is Tools and Weapons about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations at the intersection of technology, policy, and society are the core of this show. Brimming with candid discussions with leaders from government, business, and culture, episodes explore critical issues such as cybersecurity, privacy, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, AI, and human rights, often highlighting real-world applications and responsible tech leadership. A recurring thread is how large tech ecosystems—particularly AI and data-driven innovation—shape governance, business strategy, and everyday life, with practical examples, bold forecasts, and calls for collaboration across public and private sectors. A standout aspect is the willingness to dissect tough topics, showcase diverse viewpoints, and spotlight ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Tools and Weapons?

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1. Hard Fork
2. The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
3. The a16z Show
4. Odd Lots
5. Decoder with Nilay Patel

How many episodes of Tools and Weapons are there?

Tools and Weapons launched 4 years ago and published 39 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Tools and Weapons?

Recent guests on Tools and Weapons include:

1. Rishi Sunak
2. Juan Lavista Ferres
3. Ryan Roslansky
4. Zachary Wells
5. Neal Driscoll
6. Khaldoon Al Mubarak
7. Jeffrey Ding
8. Norma Kamali

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