{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/d556eb54-6160-4c85-95f4-47d9f5216c49/6a91564cee851f3f31239bbf?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Bots on the ground: China leads humanoid race","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/62e286a934d4d93d6587424a/1787909561480-1f504768-54b2-4777-a175-53117a30de5a.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Our correspondent goes inside a <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/business/2026/08/23/china-is-training-up-thousands-of-humanoid-robots?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Chinese robot</a> facility to see thousands of droids being taught to complete useful tasks. Is it worth the time and money? How <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/business/2026/08/26/meta-settles-its-blockbuster-trial-for-up-to-17bn?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Meta</a>’s $17bn settlement at its blockbuster trial could change teen social-media use. And 75 years of the Paris bookshop <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/interactive/culture/2026/08/27/what-the-world-most-famous-bookshop-reveals-about-culture?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Shakespeare and Company</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Watch extended clips from Insider <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/interactive/insider/previews?utm_campaign=a.brand_fy2627_q1_awareness-imp-tr_prospecting_global-global_direct_na&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.pd&amp;utm_source=economist&amp;utm_content=discovery.awareness.anonymous.tr_nativeread_np-tiinsider-apr_na-na_web_na_na_na_na&amp;utm_term=sa.arc-isi\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a>, plus the full Elon Musk interview</p><p><br></p><p>Guests and host:</p><ul><li>Don Weinland, China business editor</li><li>Alice Fulwood, “Money Talks” host and US business editor</li><li>Alexandra Suich-Bass, culture editor</li><li>Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Topics covered:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Robots, humanoids, China, AI</li><li>Meta, Instagram, Facebook, social media, addiction,&nbsp;</li><li>Shakespeare and Company, Paris, bookshops</li></ul><p><br></p><p><em>Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—</em><a href=\"https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>subscribe to The Economist</em></a><em>.</em></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Economist"}