The Future of Prosperity

My final Reith Lecture drops 9AM UK time on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

And so, we come to an end. My final Reith Lecture, recorded in The Historic Academy of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia is on ‘The Future of Prosperity’. It airs on Radio 4 this morning - should you be reading this on the morning of December 20th - and forever and a day as a podcast on BBC Sounds.

I am writing this phenomenally jet lagged from Toronto, where I will not be waking up at 4AM to hear the sound of my own voice. But perhaps it will be more mellifluous for all of you live at nine in the UK or whenever you choose to listen to podcasts you crazy nonlinear maniacs.

I have a bunch of other Reith related podcasts that will be coming out in the next few weeks so you will hear from me again, fear not.

The final lecture examines a whole series of challenges presented by growth - climate change, artificial intelligence, affordable housing. And it asks how to avoid the problems of short-termism and inequality that often accompany technological innovation. We had a great crowd in Georgia, discussing everything from the Electoral College to racial justice, whether AI’s learn from one another, and what stops us from building houses. And you will get to hear me say the immortal line ‘I’m from Oxford University and I’m here to help’. Take that Ronnie…

I hope you enjoy the lecture as much as I did giving it. Atlanta is an amazing destination, with both huge historical importance and a contemporary boomtown. Where better to talk about the promise and perils of securing prosperity?