The Economist examines US AI backlash in latest podcast

The Economist released a podcast episode on 25 June 2026 titled "Fear-jerker: America’s AI backlash," which examines the growing public and industry resistance to artificial intelligence within the United States. The broadcast features a dedicated segment on this technological pushback, marking a shift in the narrative surrounding the rapid adoption of AI systems.

The episode also covers rising divorce rates in China, providing a snapshot of shifting social dynamics in the world’s second-largest economy. This segment is presented as part of the publication’s broader coverage of global trends, offering listeners a mix of technology, social, and lifestyle topics in a single broadcast.

Additionally, the podcast addresses trends in air conditioning usage across Europe. This segment highlights changing energy consumption patterns and consumer behaviour in the region, rounding out the diverse range of subjects covered in the daily broadcast.

While the source material includes background cards regarding a recent Beijing summit attended by US business leaders, including Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Jensen Huang, these appear to be separate coverage items rather than the core content of the AI podcast. The summit discussions focused on trade, AI, and Strait of Hormuz security, but these elements are distinct from the specific arguments presented in the "Fear-jerker" episode.

The provided source text is limited to a headline and summary, meaning it does not contain the full podcast transcript or detailed arguments regarding the nature of the AI backlash. It is unclear if the "backlash" refers to regulatory action, public sentiment, or corporate strategy based solely on the provided text. The connection between the AI backlash and the other topics is that they are covered in the same episode, not necessarily that they are causally linked.