Home Podcasts The Next Big Thing: A Megatrends Podcast
The Next Big Thing: A Megatrends Podcast

The Next Big Thing: A Megatrends Podcast

WisdomTree 51 Episodes Aug 20, 2026

Megatrends are changing our world. We’ve seen the internet and smartphones transform our lives and, more recently, have seen artificial intelligence touted as ‘the next big thing’, with the emergence of software like ChatGPT. So, what’s next? This podcast explores the megatrends shaping our future.

Episodes

The metals powering a new industrial era | The Next Big Thing
The metals powering a new industrial era | The Next Big Thing Aug 20, 2026 00:54:48 The energy transition and growing electrification are driving demand for a broad spectrum of metals. Supplying those metals responsibly, reliably and at the right cost is becoming one of the defining industrial challenges of our time.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir speaks with Dr. Richard Stewart, CEO of Sibanye-Stillwater, about the metals powering a new industrial era and how
How physical AI is transforming the mining industry | The Next Big Thing
How physical AI is transforming the mining industry | The Next Big Thing Aug 7, 2026 00:54:53 Mining is becoming one of the first industries to deploy physical AI at scale, offering a glimpse into how AI could transform heavy industry. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Yudong Liu from Eacon about how physical AI is transforming the mining industry. We explore the rise of autonomous haul trucks, why mining has become an early adopter of AI at scale, and what it takes to b
Space is becoming the world's next factory | The Next Big Thing
Space is becoming the world's next factory | The Next Big Thing Jul 23, 2026 00:48:32 For decades, space has been about exploration, satellites and rockets. But what if its biggest opportunity is manufacturing? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we explore how space is becoming a new frontier for industrial production. We speak with Jacques Fossey, CTO of BioOrbit, about how microgravity is opening up entirely new possibilities for manufacturing, particularly in biotechnology a
Dylan Patel on the infrastructure powering the AI revolution | The Next Big Thing
Dylan Patel on the infrastructure powering the AI revolution | The Next Big Thing Jul 9, 2026 01:06:37 Artificial intelligence is transforming industries around the world. But beneath every AI model sits an increasingly complex infrastructure stack powering it all. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Dylan Patel, founder of SemiAnalysis, about the technologies underpinning the AI revolution. From GPUs, memory and networking to data centres, energy and power infrastructure, the conv
Rare earths: rebuilding the supply chains powering the future | The Next Big Thing
Rare earths: rebuilding the supply chains powering the future | The Next Big Thing Jun 25, 2026 00:50:53 Rare earths are no longer just a niche mining story. They sit at the centre of some of the most important trends shaping the global economy, from electric vehicles and robotics to AI infrastructure, drones and defence systems. Yet the real challenge is not simply finding these materials. It is building the supply chains needed to process them and turn them into the products modern industry depends
The software behind the quantum revolution | The Next Big Thing
The software behind the quantum revolution | The Next Big Thing Jun 16, 2026 00:52:36 As breakthroughs continue across the industry, the focus is increasingly shifting towards how quantum technologies can be deployed to solve real-world problems.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we explore the software, algorithms and platforms helping drive the quantum revolution. The conversation examines how organisations are preparing for a quantum-enabled future, how hybrid quantum-classi
Quantum computing, AI and the future of problem solving
Quantum computing, AI and the future of problem solving May 15, 2026 00:58:37 Quantum computing is often discussed as a future technology. But what if parts of that future are already here? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Nathan Mason from BQP about the growing convergence between quantum computing, artificial intelligence and high performance computing. From cybersecurity and aerospace to logistics and space infrastructure, the conversation explores ho
From EVs to data centres: the growing demand for lithium | The Next Big Thing
From EVs to data centres: the growing demand for lithium | The Next Big Thing Apr 16, 2026 00:58:24 Lithium sits at the heart of the energy transition, but the story is evolving.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Ana Cabral, CEO of Sigma Lithium, to explore the shifting dynamics of the lithium market. From electric vehicles to data centres, they discuss how new sources of demand are reshaping the outlook for lithium.They also dive into cost
Europe’s structural shift: defence and infrastructure in focus | The Next Big Thing
Europe’s structural shift: defence and infrastructure in focus | The Next Big Thing Apr 9, 2026 00:57:31 Europe is entering a new phase, one defined by defence spending, infrastructure investment and a renewed focus on strategic autonomy.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir is joined by Aneeka Gupta and Baoqi Zhu to unpack two of the most important themes shaping Europe today: defence and infrastructure. From the shift from budgets to execution in defence, to the growing investment gap
Energy, geopolitics, and AI: the themes shaping 2026 | The Next Big Thing
Energy, geopolitics, and AI: the themes shaping 2026 | The Next Big Thing Mar 16, 2026 00:57:08 Thematic investing is being reshaped by three powerful forces: rising energy demand, intensifying geopolitics, and the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti discuss the key themes from our latest thematic outlook. They explore the concept of energy addition, the growing importance of nuclear power, the strategic role of rar
From chatbots to robots: the rise of physical AI | The Next Big Thing
From chatbots to robots: the rise of physical AI | The Next Big Thing Feb 27, 2026 01:00:30 In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Blake Heimann to explore the rise of physical AI. From humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles to drones and industrial automation, they unpack what it means for AI to move beyond software and into physical systems.They discuss the role of edge computing, Nvidia’s ecosystem, the economics of humanoids, batte
How RENK is scaling mobility for the next generation of defence platforms | The Next Big Thing
How RENK is scaling mobility for the next generation of defence platforms | The Next Big Thing Feb 12, 2026 00:55:19 As defence platforms evolve, so do the systems that power them. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Alexander Sagel, CEO of RENK Group, about how the company is scaling its global operations to meet the demands of modern defence. From UGVs and tracked vehicles to naval propulsion systems, they explore how RENK is investing in mobility technologies, digital integrat

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