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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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

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David Quinn brings a mix of theatre, advertising insight, and cultural curiosity that feels both refreshing and grounded on this episode of The Global Discussion. As founder and Business Director of Bloom, the Dublin-based creative and strategic agency, David has spent decades helping challenger brands punch above their weight. His work with Brady Family Ham is the example most people know, but the thinking behind it is what really sets the tone for his approach.

David traced the path that led him from the underground theatre scene in Galway to becoming a respected voice in Irish advertising. The journey is anything but linear, and that is what makes it compelling.

00:44 - Bloom Advertising and building Brady Family Ham into a market leader

01:15 - Punchbag Theatre, found spaces, and the origins of "Eclipsed."

07:23 - Magdalene Laundries, national reaction, and Tommy Tiernan's early days

08:41 - Founding Bloom, Bloomsday inspiration, and working with challenger brands

17:18 - How theatre and advertising intersect: big ideas, pitching, and performance

17:46 - "A Modest Proposal," homelessness, and savage satire in modern Ireland

26:32 - From cave paintings to AI: the future of media, IAPI, and advice for young creatives

Watch or Listen to The Global Discussion

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Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠

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Simon Hodgkins catches up with Amanda Wallace on this episode of The Global Discussion. As Director of CDH Consultants Ltd, Amanda brings two decades of executive experience, combining a deep understanding of people with the complex realities of business transformation.00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Amanda Wallace02:50 - From “office politics” to stakeholder management05:02 - The speed trap in transformation, resistance, and leadership misalignment08:04 - How Amanda aligns leadership, current state to target state15:14 - Stakeholder mapping, choosing champions, understanding impact and resistance20:33 - Supporting senior leaders, the perfection trap, when to step in or step back25:43 - AI, real data, and the future of leadership and org designWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Charlotte Otter, a former journalist turned executive coach and founder of Otter Advisory, is in conversation with Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion. The topics include leadership, reputation, and what it really means to build trust in a world that never stops changing!

00:33 - Charlotte's journey, journalism to SAP to Otter Advisory, and change leadership MSc

04:13 - Why we need new leaders today, the crisis of leadership

07:35 - Adaptability over command and control, qualities modern leaders need

10:39 - Reputation equity explained, own your story, and create a record of success

14:11 - Reputation 360, unlocking executive narratives and a shy CEO case study

20:43 - The art of storytelling for leaders, details that create connection

26:52 - Final takeaway: build your reputation on LinkedIn.

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Carolina Arroyo, the Founder and Managing Director of EC Peasy Communication, joins Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion to explore how companies can scale their revenue without expanding headcount.00:35 - EC Peasy mission and services01:39 - From cold calling to smarter outbound systems06:38 - Content that drives sales, 80 percent research, and the 50-30-20 mix12:49 - AI-powered sequencing, email to LinkedIn to warm calls16:11 - Strategic commenting and LinkedIn profile optimization21:03 - Debunking myths about AI agents and why calling still works25:19 - Reverse pitching framework, lead with symptoms before the pitchWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.