The Intelligence from The Economist

At one of the stands displaying AI-powered sex dolls at the Adult Video Network expo, there is a robot holding a handwritten sign saying, “You can do anything to me.” For generations, criticism of the porn industry has focused on the treatment of performers. But in the age of AI, the users of porn are more vulnerable than ever. The Economist’s Avantika Chilkoti travels to the Oscars of porn to find out how AI is changing the industry—and what it might mean for all of us.  Topics covered:AI Adult sex industryIntimacy and relationshipsHumanoid robotsLinks to articles:Chinese humanoid robotshttps://www.economist.com/business/2026/02/18/chinas-humanoids-are-dazzling-the-world-who-will-buy-them Avantika's reporting https://www.economist.com/international/2025/11/27/ai-is-upending-the-porn-industry and https://economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/03/19/the-new-economics-of-sex-workDavid Foster Wallace https://www.scribd.com/doc/297476001/David-Foster-Wallace-Big-Red-Son

As attention has focused on war in Iran, Israel sees an opportunity to crush a weakened Hizbullah in Lebanon. Our correspondent says it would be far better for the Lebanese state to do so. As south-east Asia is modernising, Islam is counterintuitively gaining greater primacy in civic life. And a tribute to Jürgen Habermas, Germany’s and perhaps Europe’s most prominent intellectual.Guests and host:Gareth Browne, Middle East correspondentSue-Lin Wong, Asia correspondent Ann Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Lebanon, Hizbullah, Israel, Iran warIslam, south-east AsiaJürgen Habermas, obituariesGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

A rash entry into a war of choice exposes President Donald Trump in a number of ways—and he may prove more dangerous as he becomes weaker. Turkey’s foreign entanglements mask the democratic backsliding at home; that is bad news for an opposition figure whose trial just began. And Americans seem to be taking their anger out on food-delivery robots.Guests and host:Robert Guest, deputy editorPiotr Zalewski, Turkey correspondentRebecca Jackson, Southern correspondentJason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Donald Trump, war in IranTurkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem ImamogluAmerica, delivery robotsGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Cancelled flights, longer routes, higher prices: the war in Iran is taking its toll on the airline industry. The conflict may force lasting change on the big Gulf carriers. We ask why the once-frothy fake-meat industry is losing its bite. And why PDFs, one of technology’s most pervasive file types, may meet their end thanks to AI. Guests and hosts:Simon Wright, industry editorHollie Berman, news editorShera Avi-Yonah, business writerRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: airline industry, Iran warmeat substitutes, plant-based meatsPDFs, AIGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Nigeria sorely needed the enormous oil refinery built by Aliko Dangote, who was already Africa’s richest man. We ask what that new capacity means for him, for Nigeria and for the continent. We speak to the surprisingly large and diverse Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles. And how a cancer diagnosis seems to drive some people to a life of crime.  Guests and host:Ọrẹ Ogunbiyi – Africa correspondentAryn Braun – West Coast correspondentAinslie Johnstone – data journalist Rosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Aliko Dangote, Nigeria, oil, energy securityIran’s diaspora, Californiacancer, crime, data Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz has become the focus of the war in Iran. The options available point to an acute risk of a broadening regional conflict. China is making great strides in building humanoid robots—but so far they are more about entertainment than utility. And a look at the science to help you get power naps right.Guests and hosts:Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East correspondentDon Weinland, China business and finance editorHarry Taunton, audience editorRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran war, Strait of Hormuz, Middle East China, humanoid robotspower naps, wellnessGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The toy industry has a problem: there aren’t enough children. Its solution? Adults.Rosie Blau reports on the rise of the "kidult". Is there anything wrong with big kids collecting toys? And what does it say about her that —secretly— she might want one.Topics covered:Toy industryDemographic changeKidultsLinks to articles: Adults are propping up the toy industryListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.Music provided by Domestic Background Music and Blue Dot SessionsTranscripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts

As Israel continues to pound Iran and expands its offensive against Hizbullah in Lebanon, there are rumblings of disunity with America over the path and goal of the conflict. Why now is the time to buy rubbish stocks. And celebrating the life of grand-clown Philippe Gaulier. Guests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentJosh Roberts, capital markets correspondentAnn Wroe, obituaries editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Netanyahu, Trump, Hizbullah, refuelling planeMarkets, oil prices, quality stocks, junk stocks, investmentPhilippe Gaulier, clowns, obituaryListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Iran continues to retaliate against attacks with ferocity. Though many of its ballistic missile facilities have been razed, its vast drone armoury is powerful and destructive. Who will benefit from India’s boom in data centres? And why giant board games are not child’s play. Guests and host:Shashank Joshi, defence editorGavin Jackson, South Asia business and finance correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The intelligence”Topics covered: Iran, America, Shahed drones, Geran, Ukraine, ZelenksyIndia, data centres, Amazon, Meta, Google, NvidiaMonopoly, board games, toys, kidultsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.