The Next Big Thing: A Megatrends Podcast
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 race to fuel the nuclear future | The Next Big Thing
Nuclear energy is having a moment. Governments are committing to expand capacity, technology companies are securing long-term power supplies and a new generation of reactors is taking shape.But powering that future requires fuel.In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti speak with Paul Mann, founder and CEO of ASP Isotopes, and Dr. Ryno Pretorius, CEO of Quantum
Quantum takes flight: reinventing drone design | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Christopher Gannatti speaks with Abhishek Chopra, Founder and CEO of BQP, and Justin Call, Co-Founder and CEO at Modovolo about how new approaches to computing could help solve engineering challenges. The conversation explores how BQP’s quantum-inspired algorithms, running on today’s classical hardware, are being applied to the design of Modovolo’s drones. Fr
The road to quantum advantage with Rigetti Computing | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti speak with Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, President and CEO of Rigetti Computing, about the road to quantum advantage and the engineering challenges that still need to be solved.From improving qubit fidelity and scaling quantum processors to real-time error correction, Subodh explains the milestones he believes are needed before qu
The metals powering a new industrial era | The Next Big Thing
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
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
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
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 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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
How Indra is scaling for the new era of defence and autonomy | The Next Big Thing
Defence budgets are rising, geopolitical tensions are high, and European governments are looking inward for critical technologies. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Miguel Forteza, CFO of Indra, about how the company is scaling to meet the needs of modern warfare and sovereignty. From cyber defence and AI integration to land systems, unmanned platforms and the la
The case for quantum-secure infrastructure | The Next Big Thing
Quantum computing is not a far-off science project. It is already reshaping how we think about encryption, security and the future of digital infrastructure. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Christopher Gannatti and Elvira Kuramshina speak with Sean Hackett and Chris Tam from BTQ, a company building full-stack post-quantum security solutions. They explore what is at stake for everything from
Fincantieri’s future fleet: underwater drones, motherships, and the next era of defence | The Next Big Thing
Shipbuilding may sound traditional, but it is anything but. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, about how one of Europe’s largest shipbuilders is transforming into a defence innovation powerhouse. From underwater drones and autonomous systems to the evolution of the mothership concept, they discuss how Fincantieri is buildi
Inside the AI economy: capex, chips, and the scale of what’s coming | The Next Big Thing
Is the AI trade already priced in—or just getting started? In this solo episode of The Next Big Thing, Christopher Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree, breaks down what 2025 tells us about the real economics of AI. From Nvidia's explosive earnings growth to the massive capex plans of Meta, Microsoft, Oracle and Amazon, he looks at what AI infrastructure spending is really buying, h
Quantum computing explained: where we are, what’s next, and who’s leading the charge | The Next Big Thing
Quantum computing is advancing—but how close are we really to the breakthrough moment? In this solo episode of The Next Big Thing, Christopher Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree, unpacks the current state of quantum computing and what investors should watch in the years ahead. From fault-tolerant systems and logical qubits to quantum sensing, networking, and encryption, he breaks down
A nuclear renaissance: uranium supply, data centres, and policy momentum | The Next Big Thing
With the world’s demand for clean, reliable energy surging—particularly from data centres and AI infrastructure—nuclear power is back in focus. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti sit down with Andre Liebenberg, CEO of Yellow Cake PLC, to explore what’s fuelling the nuclear revival. From tight uranium supply and slow-moving mine timelines, to the rise
From policy to portfolio: how defence themes are evolving in 2025 | The Next Big Thing
What happens to Europe’s defence sector if peace returns to Ukraine? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti unpack the latest geopolitical developments and what they mean for the long-term outlook for defence stocks, military innovation, and investors. They discuss how the structural case for European rearmament remains intact—even if market reactions ar
Inside the megatrends driving markets: AI, automation, energy, and infrastructure | The Next Big Thing
Thematic investing is having a moment—and in 2025, it’s about more than just AI. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir puts Christopher Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree, in the hot seat to break down the megatrends shaping markets this year. From the scale of AI infrastructure and the rise of humanoid robots to Tesla’s reinvention, nuclear energy’s comeback, and the ba
Can AI help build a better map of the economy? | The Next Big Thing
What if our understanding of markets was built on outdated classifications? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Elvira Kuramshina sit down with Ye Tian, founder of Theia Insights, to explore how AI is reshaping the foundation of thematic investing. From company classification to portfolio construction, Ye shares how large language models can dynamically read and interpret
Europe’s defence awakening: how Rheinmetall is scaling for a new era | The Next Big Thing
Europe’s defence landscape is undergoing a historic transformation—and Rheinmetall is at the centre of it. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Dirk Winkels, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, to explore how the company is responding to unprecedented demand, scaling production, and partnering across th
AI for security, security for AI: inside the next wave of cyber innovation | The Next Big Thing
AI is transforming cybersecurity—but it’s also creating new vulnerabilities. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Chris Gannatti is joined by Sachin Bansal and Pratik Mehta to explore how AI is reshaping both sides of the cyber landscape. From automating security operations to securing LLMs and agentic systems, they unpack how cyber teams are adapting—and what investors need to know. The co
Virtual rigs, real rewards: the tech behind cloud mining’s rise | The Next Big Thing
What if you could mine Bitcoin without ever touching a machine? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Charley Brady of BitFuFu, the world’s largest cloud mining platform, to explore how cloud-based infrastructure is transforming Bitcoin mining. From decentralised hashpower and energy strategy to institutional adoption and global expansion, they unpack how cloud minin
Gaming, Web3, and AI: how new tech is reshaping how we play | The Next Big Thing
What happens when gaming collides with the world of Web3 and artificial intelligence? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Chris Gannatti sits down with Li Jie Ou, Technical Producer at iNK Stories, to explore how emerging technologies are transforming the future of gameplay. From narrative design and player-owned assets to AI-powered NPCs and dynamic storytelling, they discuss how tools li
From buzzword to backbone: AI’s real impact on business | The Next Big Thing
What does enterprise AI adoption actually look like beyond the headlines? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Chris Gannatti and Mobeen Tahir are joined by Amaresh Tripathy, Managing Partner at Auxo AI, to explore how businesses are applying AI in the real world. From customer service and sales to software development and marketing, they unpack the practical use cases, the friction points
Cybersecurity in 2025: AI, quantum risks, and smarter defence strategies | The Next Big Thing
Cybersecurity is evolving fast—and in 2025, the intersection of AI, quantum computing, and behavioural risk is reshaping how we defend our digital world. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Chris Gannatti and Mobeen Tahir are joined by Ross Young, CISO in residence at Team8, to explore the most critical shifts in cybersecurity today. From agentic AI tools and cloud security innovation to
The AI boom: where the big money is flowing in 2025 | The Next Big Thing
Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, and the investment dollars are flowing fast. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir is joined by Chris Gannatti to explore the major trends shaping AI in 2025. From the $100 billion Stargate project to DeepSeek's impact on big tech, they break down the companies, policies, and innovations driving the AI revolution. Plus, the
Inside Europe’s defence push: what does it mean for investors? | The Next Big Thing
As geopolitical tensions rise, Europe is ramping up defence spending—but what does that mean for investors? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Chris Gannatti is joined by Samuel Rines to explore how European nations are modernising their militaries, increasing budgets, and investing in cutting-edge defence technology. From drones and cyber warfare to space-based security, they break down
The blockchain boom: policy shifts, market trends, and investment insights | The Next Big Thing
With new policies shaping the future of blockchain and digital assets, 2025 is poised to be a transformative year. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Chris Gannatti is joined by Blake Heimann to explore the regulatory changes under the Trump administration, how businesses are leveraging blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies, and why investors are paying close attention to blockchain equities
Investing in the future: AI, energy independence, and beyond | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, join Chris Gannatti, Mobeen Tahir, and Pierre Debru from WisdomTree as they explore the most exciting thematic investment trends for 2025. From AI and quantum computing to blockchain and energy independence, discover how these cutting-edge themes are shaping the future of investing. Get insights on market dynamics, strategic and tactical investing, and the ev
AI's cognitive revolution: Transforming minds and machines | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris and Mobeen are joined by Rebecca Rapple, Founder at NINEDOT, to explore the cognitive revolution that is currently underway thanks to AI. They delve into how advancements in artificial intelligence are transforming human intelligence, discuss key innovations driving this revolution, and predict what the future holds for AI technology. Tune in to discove
Thematic outlook: AI, Biotech, Clean Energy, and investment insights for 2025 | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, join Chris and Mobeen as they delve into the latest megatrends shaping the investment landscape. Learn about the transformative impact of AI on biotech, the resurgence of clean energy investments, and the evolving dynamics of the electric vehicle market. Discover the macroeconomic factors influencing these sectors.
For EU investors only:
For more valuable in
AI and deepfakes: Ensuring integrity in the age of misinformation | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris sits down with Siwei Lyu, a renowned expert in deepfakes and AI, to explore the fascinating and sometimes alarming world of AI-generated content. Discover how deepfakes are created, their impact on elections and society, and the ethical dilemmas they present and learn about the innovative tools being developed to detect and combat deepfakes, and the imp
Unlocking the value of data: AI’s transformative power | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen is joined by Mario Carvajal, Chief Marketing and Chief Strategy Officer at AvePoint. Together they explore the transformative power of AI in unlocking the value of data. Discover how AvePoint’s evolution is impacting various industries and the critical role of context in building effective systems. Mario sheds light on common organizational challenges
AI meets AR: Crafting the future lens | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen is joined by Mark Sage, Executive Director at AREA. Together they explore the game-changing potential of augmented reality (AR) and its industry-wide adoption. Discover how AR overlays digital content onto the real world, revolutionizing sectors from logistics to aviation. Through compelling case studies, dive into the evolution of AR devices and uncov
AI Cloud ascendancy: The future of cloud computing | The Next Big Thing
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris is joined by Lindsey Li and Caty Rea from Bessemer Venture Partners. Together they discuss the transformative power of AI in cloud computing. Discover how AI is revolutionizing software development, from automating code refactoring to enabling non-techies to dive into development. Explore the future of AI applications, vertical software solutions, and i
The Next Big Thing: From dot-com bust to AI boom - Manuj Aggarwal’s journey
Join Chris Gannatti on this episode of The Next Big Thing as he interviews Manuj Aggarwal, founder of Tetra Noodle, about his journey from the dot-com bust to AI innovation. Discover how Manuj built his consulting firm, tackled early projects like payment systems and doctor transcription services, and embraced open source and AI frameworks. Learn about AI’s transformative potential, adoption chall
The Next Big Thing: Securing the future - The role of a CISO in today’s world
"How do you tackle infinite possibilities with finite resources?"
Join Chris on this episode of The Next Big Thing, as he interviews Ryan Bachman, CISO of GM Financial, to explore the evolving role of a CISO, the intersection of cybersecurity and AI, and the future of automotive security. Discover insights on managing cyber risks, the importance of privacy and trust, and the reality of
The Next Big Thing: Elevate your commute - Joby Aviation’s journey to the skies
Join the electrifying conversation with Oliver Walker-Jones, the marketing maestro at Joby Aviation, on this episode of The Next Big Thing. Dive into the world of eVTOL aircraft—the silent heroes of the skies—poised to transform urban travel.
Discover how cutting-edge battery technology and AI are propelling these marvels beyond the realm of helicopters, promising a quieter, cleaner, and more effi
The Next Big Thing: Molecules and Machine Learning - Exscientia's futuristic approach to AI drug discovery
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris and Mobeen explore the cutting-edge of biotech with Ben Taylor, CFO and Chief Strategy Officer at Exscientia. Ben touches on his transition from the high-stakes world of investment banking to spearheading AI-driven drug development. Discover how generative AI is revolutionizing the search for novel drugs and reshaping the landscape of the pharmaceutical
The Next Big Thing: From apps to antidotes - AI’s cross-sector influence
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris is joined by Blake Heimann, Senior Associate, Quantitative Research, WisdomTree. Together they discuss various topics related to AI and technology. They touch on Apple's release of a large language model and the new M4 chip, as well as the performance of big companies like Apple and Tesla. They explore the potential of AI in self-driving cars and th
The Next Big Thing: AI, automation and cybersecurity - defending the digital realm
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris and Mobeen are joined by Max Heinemeyer, Chief Product Officer at Darktrace, to discuss the intersection of cybersecurity and AI. Max shares his background in offensive security and how it led him to the defensive side of cybersecurity. He explains Darktrace's unique approach to cybersecurity, which involves using unsupervised machine learning to un
The Next Big Thing: Thematic outlook
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris and Mobeen are back at the helm, navigating the seas of thematic investing. Their journey takes them through the evolving interest in AI and practical implementation, the growth and innovation of NVIDIA, the increasing concern about cybersecurity and the threat of AI-powered cyber-attacks as well as the impact of macroeconomic factors on thematic invest
The Next Big Thing: Exploring the current tech cycle with Dan Ives
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris is joined by Jeremy Schwartz, Global CIO at WisdomTree and Dan Ives, Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst, Wedbush Securities. Together they discuss various topics related to the tech industry, including the current tech cycle, valuations, the AI opportunity, partnerships, the metaverse, chip manufacturing, and the potential of AI in hea
The Next Big Thing: Battery solutions
In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris and Mobeen discuss investor interest in thematic topics, the performance of energy storage, the long-term case for batteries, regional variations in electric vehicle adoption, China's role in the energy transition, the battery value chain, and exciting developments in energy storage. The conversation covers topics such as long duration energy storag
The Next Big Thing: Megatrends and Thematic Investing in 2023
In this episode, Chris is joined by Mobeen Tahir, Director, Macroeconomic Research and Tactical Solutions here at WisdomTree. Together they discuss the performance and challenges of thematic investing in 2023. They explore the impact of rising interest rates on thematic investments, particularly in the energy transition space. They also delve into the advancements in green technologies, such as so
The Next Big Thing: The Automotive Sector, Mobility and Electric Vehicles
For this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris is joined by Malte Broxtermann, Partner, Berylls. Together they discuss the automotive sector. From mobility to electric vehicles, they cover the entire ecosystem.
For EU Investors Only
Learn more about megatrends: https://www.wisdomtree.eu/en-gb/strategies/megatrend-etfs
The Next Big Thing: Multi-Thematic Exposure with Pierre Debru
In this episode, Chris is joined by Pierre Debru, Head of Quantitative Research and Multi-Asset Solutions here at WisdomTree. Together they discuss thematic investing and, in particular, the construction of a multi thematic exposure.
(00:00) Introduction and disclaimer
(01:48) Meet Pierre
(03:41) Thematic Investing - More than just AI
(10:18) How do the different thematic themes fit into portfoli
The Next Big Thing: Exploring Cybersecurity with Ofer Israeli
Cybersecurity is our focus in the latest episode of The Next Big Thing. Christopher Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree interviews Ofer Israeli, Group Vice President and General Manager at Proofpoint; a next-generation cybersecurity company that helps protect people, data and brands from advanced threats and Compliance risks. Together they discuss the challenges and potential in this g
The Next Big Thing: Exploring Renewable Energy with Adam Woods
This week, Chris is joined by Adam Woods, Senior Research Analyst, Global Coal Markets at Wood Mackenzie. Together they discuss the energy transition and the role that coal plays in the space.
(00:00) Introduction and Disclaimer
(00:20) Meet Adam
(03:17) How does coal fit into the energy transition?
(07:51) The Inflation Reduction Act
(20:37) Grid-scale storage
(24:07) Energy in the European mark
The Next Big Thing: AI Deep Dive with Richard Kowalski
On this episode of The Next Big Thing, Chris is joined by guest speaker Richard Kowalski, Senior Director of Business Intelligence at Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Together they do a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence and explore how it affects different aspects of society.
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Chris: https://twitter.com/CGannatti
The Next Big Thing: Discussing AI with Brian Comiskey
Welcome to the first episode of our new podcast The Next Big Thing, a podcast discussing the 'big' megatrends disrupting the future.
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? In this episode,
Introducing The Next Big Thing
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?
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