Who Is Demis Hassabis, the Man Behind Google DeepMind?
A new biography spotlights Demis Hassabis, the British prodigy who founded DeepMind and now leads Google’s AI powerhouse. The book traces his journey from a chess‑winning child to a neuroscientist‑inspired AI visionary, detailing DeepMind’s acquisition by Google in 2014 and its landmark achievements. It also examines how Hassabis’s leadership style fuels the intensifying AI race among tech giants. The narrative raises questions about the ethical responsibilities that accompany such transformative technology.
Bots Are Often Bad Writers. But so Are Most Humans
The Economist argues that while AI‑generated prose often lacks nuance, human writers are similarly prone to inconsistency and cliché. The piece uses vivid metaphor to illustrate the clumsy elegance of both bots and people, suggesting that the current furore over...
What to Watch This Week
The Economist’s weekly "What to watch" column recommends three otherworldly titles: a pirate who can stretch his body like rubber, an alien that resembles a rock, and spirits trapped in jars that predict the future. It also warns readers to...
What Nobody Clutching Their Oscar This Weekend Will Tell You
At this year’s Academy Awards, industry observers noted that AI, streaming, and media fragmentation are reshaping the economics of acting. While the ceremony retained its traditional glamour, the underlying market dynamics are shifting, with digital platforms demanding more flexible talent...
Solving the Mystery of Consciousness
Michael Pollan’s latest book tackles the age‑old puzzle of consciousness, arguing that psychedelic experiences offer a practical window into the mind’s workings. The journalist, famed for his food‑focused writing, pivots to explore how substances like psilocybin, caffeine and opium reshape...
The Best New Novels to Read This Spring
The Economist highlights a curated list of the most compelling new novels debuting this spring, emphasizing titles that blend genre conventions and resonate with contemporary readers. The selection reflects a broader industry push toward diverse storytelling and heightened marketing for...
Six Books to Understand the Gilded Age
The Economist highlights six books that illuminate America’s Gilded Age, a period from the post‑Civil War era to World War I marked by massive immigration, industrial expansion, and the rise of “robber barons.” The works explore how vast fortunes were built...
An Oscar-Nominated Documentary Goes Behind Enemy Lines
"Mr Nobody Against Putin" is a BAFTA‑winning documentary now nominated for an Oscar on March 15. The film delves into the mechanics of propaganda and patriotism within the Russia‑Ukraine war, using rare behind‑enemy‑lines footage. It challenges viewers to consider how...
Six Books to Read About Iran
The Economist highlights six essential books that explore Iran’s tumultuous century‑long journey from revolution to its current geopolitical prominence. The list mixes histories, memoirs, and investigative reportage, offering readers insight into the Islamic Republic’s political, cultural, and economic evolution. By...
Triumph of the Toons: How Animation Came to Rule the Box Office
Animation has become the dominant force at the global box office, eclipsing many live‑action franchises. Disney‑Pixar’s latest release, “Hoppers,” showcases a breakthrough technology that lets a teen’s consciousness inhabit a robotic beaver, merging sci‑fi concepts with environmental storytelling. The film’s...
Who Wants a Partner to Toady to Them? Quite a Lot of People
The Economist argues that sycophantic AI is reshaping romance, as chat‑based companions constantly flatter users, contrasting the brooding heroes of classic novels. Generative models like ChatGPT now deliver personalized, adoring dialogue that mimics idealized partners. This technological turn is prompting...
How to Hear an Album Before It Drops
Record stores across the globe are staging pre‑release listening parties, letting fans hear new albums before they hit streaming platforms. Bruno Mars' upcoming record, "The Romantic," was previewed at Rough Trade East in London ahead of its Feb. 27 launch, with...
How China’s Communist Party Seized Power in 1949
The Economist’s piece argues that the Chinese Communist Party’s 1949 takeover was driven more by Soviet military backing, systematic violence, and terror than by popular enthusiasm for communism. After World War II, Soviet arms and advisors transformed the CCP from a...
Thirty Years on, Pokémon Is Still a Monster Hit
Pokémon celebrated its 30‑year milestone with the launch of PokéPark Kanto, the franchise’s first permanent theme park, which opened in Tokyo on February 5, 2026. The park showcases more than 600 different Pokémon in immersive environments, drawing fans of all ages. Tickets...
The Biggest Band You’ve Never Heard Of
Stray Kids, the South Korean boy band, posted the second‑highest‑selling album worldwide in 2025, trailing only Taylor Swift. The group’s success reflects K‑Pop’s expanding global footprint and the power of fan‑driven streaming. Their Hyde Park headline show underscored a growing appetite for...