Simon Hodgkins, Host of The Global Discussion, explores “The Great Acceleration” in this solo episode, unpacking the key strategic themes emerging from ARK Invest’s Big Ideas 2026 report. He examines how artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and energy systems are converging to reshape economic structures, compress timelines, and redefine competitive advantage.

00:00 – Introduction: The Great Acceleration

01:15 – Why ARK’s Big Ideas 2026 Is a Strategic Signal

03:20 – AI as a General Purpose Technology

05:45 – The AI Consumer Operating System

08:30 – Productivity Shifts & Knowledge Work

10:55 – Robotics, Energy & The Physical Economy

12:40 – Blockchain and Software-Defined Finance

14:10 – The Real Risk: Organizational Inertia & Final Thoughts

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In this episode of The Global Discussion, Host Simon Hodgkins steps away from the traditional interview format to explore a pivotal shift underway in the world of artificial intelligence.

The first act of AI was loud. This second act is potentially far more powerful.

Drawing on real-world trends and patterns across technology cycles, Simon makes the case that we have already moved beyond the infrastructure arms race. The spotlight is no longer solely on chips, data centers, and model size. Instead, the focus has shifted to something more consequential: adoption.

This episode challenges listeners to think differently about what progress in AI really looks like, and why the most transformative changes rarely make headlines.

00:00 – Introduction: A Different Kind of Episode

00:40 – The First Act of AI: Chips, Compute & Capital

02:01 – Why Adoption Creates Long-Term Value

03:14 – Behavior Change vs. Technical Change

05:25 – AI in Advertising: Human Judgment Repositioned

07:40 – Security & Investigations: Smarter, Faster Decisions

08:55 – Enterprise Software & Durable Advantage

10:00 – The Cultural Shift & The Hard Questions

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YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion

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Simon Hodgkins speaks with Omaid Hiwaizi on this episode of The Global Discussion. Omaid Hiwaizi has been busy navigating the intersection of creativity, technology, and human behavior. His story, which he shared on The Global Discussion podcast, is shaped by migration, curiosity, and a relentless desire to work on ideas that matter. It is also the story of someone who refuses to view innovation as an abstract notion. For Omaid, technology is valuable only when it moves the needle for real people in the real world.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Omaid Hiwaizi

00:33 - From Iraq to the UK, immigrant story and early life

01:14 - Maths, avant-garde design at i-D, and starting a first agency at 24

02:04 - Building HHM and Crayon, then moving into WPP, Sapient, and Blippar

03:24 - Working on emerging tech and complex propositions at Future Positive

06:36 - Making complexity compelling, L cells, GLP-1, and consumer storytelling

12:52 - Lessons from Blippar, Covent Garden AR campaign, and real business KPIs

24:44 - AI’s true impact, disappearing junior roles, no-code, and careers of the future

Watch or Listen to The Global Discussion

Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...

Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠

YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion

Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook

Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.