Latest news with #MyWildestPrediction
Euronews
a day ago
- Business
- Euronews
My Wildest Prediction: Second season wrap-up
The second season of My Wildest Prediction has come to an end. Over the last eight months, we have delved into the business world through the words of entrepreneurs, researchers, futurists and experts from around the globe. Our goal has been to understand the challenges facing our economy and society, exploring how they affect our lives now and in the years to come. My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Businesswhere we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. Among other topics, we discussed work. Some guests, like bestselling author Bruce Daisley, painted a pessimistic picture, predicting that 'work will get worse before it gets better'. Others, like futurist Dom Price, offered a more radical point of view, arguing that we will abandon the productivity myth — the idea that constantly working is the key to success. Overall, our guests agreed that work will become increasingly mobile, with entrepreneur Karoli Hindriks arguing that 'passports will be obsolete' and marketing expert Rory Sutherland saying that people will adopt a nomadic lifestyle. We also explored the future of our cities and our relationship with the environment. Urbanist Greg Clark predicted that by 2080, there will be more than 10 billion people on Earth, with 90% living in cities. Additionally, explorer Bertrand Piccard forecast that hydrogen planes will fly commercially by 2035. And of course, artificial intelligence (AI) was extensively discussed in our podcast and remained a polarising topic. Human resources expert Patty McCord believes 'AI will not be the big scary thing we think', while others like professor Scott Galloway predicted that AI will fuel US domestic terrorism. This is just a glimpse of the predictions shared during our season. Watch the wrap-up and listen to the episodes on YouTube or your favourite audio platforms.
Euronews
04-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Neurotech will reshape how we live, predicts CEO Ana Maiques
Neurological conditions affected more than 3 billion people worldwide in 2021, according to a major study published in The Lancet in 2024. These conditions impact the nervous system and comprise a wide variety of disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and many others. Today, neurological diseases are the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide, and beyond the toll they take on patients and their loved ones, they also impose a significant economic burden. According to another study published in The Lancet, brain disorders are projected to cost the global economy 16 trillion dollars between 2010 and 2030, a figure largely driven by the early onset of these conditions and the resulting long-term loss of productivity. Given the need for research and treatment of brain disorders, some companies are investing in this area to advance our understanding of the brain. Among the most high-profile is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016. However, Europe has also emerged as a powerhouse in neurotechnology. A notable example is the Spanish company Neuroelectrics, launched by Ana Maiques and Giulio Ruffini in 2011. Over the years, Neuroelectrics has expanded from its European roots to establish a presence in the United States, becoming an international leader in the field. Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics, joined My Wildest Prediction to share her boldest insights and vision for the future of brain technology. My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Businesswhere we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. In this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Ana Maiques, CEO and Co-Founder of Neuroelectrics. 'My wildest prediction is that neurotechnology is going to impact our daily lives in ways we cannot even imagine,' Ana Maiques told Euronews Business. Maiques clarified that neurotechnology tools should and will not be used to enhance individual traits such as intelligence or reverse ageing. However, she believes these tools will be applied to treat medical conditions, broaden people's experience of reality and strengthen our general understanding of how the brain works. 'A lot of people approach us! (...) We have a paper written with Refik Anadol where we monitored the impact on the visitors' brains of his AI-generated sculptures. Now, we are talking with Michelin-star chefs who want to study the impact of food on the brain from a scientific perspective,' she explained. Maiques acknowledged the fears some people have about using electricity in the brain but emphasised that much of this concern stems from a lack of understanding of the real, positive impact neurotechnology can have. Unlike Neuralink, which develops in-brain implants, Neuroeletrics takes a non–invasive approach, using external tools to monitor and interact with the brain. Neuroelectrics' standout product is the Neoprane Headcap. The cap features electrodes connected to a wireless module located in the back. These electrodes can both monitor the brain activity and deliver electrical stimulation. This tool can help diagnose sleep disorders, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions. It is especially useful in hospital settings where electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment may not be available or where technicians are not present. To develop these tools, Neuroelectrics has been using machine learning and AI for years. 'There is no way we can, as humans, decode the brain without the help of these kinds of tools,' Ana Maiques said. The CEO noted that advancements in AI could lead to the potential modelling of the brain, raising many ethical and scientific questions. However, she emphasised the importance of continued experimentation, as achieving a complete scientific understanding of the brain remains highly complex. Washington has doubled its tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50% as President Donald Trump seeks to exclude foreign producers from the US market. The directive, which the White House shared on X, claimed that the rise would 'provide greater support' to US industries, and would 'eliminate the national security threat' posed by imported steel and aluminium. 'Nobody is going to get around that,' Trump said when first discussing the raise at a rally in Pennsylvania last Friday. 'At 25%, they can sort of get over that fence. At 50% they can no longer get over the fence.' While Washington claims that excluding foreign producers will support employment in the US, critics argue that it also jeopardises domestic jobs. As materials become more expensive and the price of production rises, US firms may let go of staff to trim costs. It's estimated that steel and aluminium tariffs introduced during Trump's first term in 2018 destroyed 75,000 US manufacturing jobs, while creating 1,000 extra jobs in the steel industry. Wednesday's tariff hike also creates added friction with international trade partners ahead of Trump's 9 July deadline, when his so-called 'reciprocal' tariff pause will end. In April, Trump temporarily halted proposed duties on a number of countries. The president's team at the time said they were aiming for '90 deals in 90 days'. So far, the US has only managed to secure a trade deal with the UK, meaning that British steel and aluminium producers will continue to pay a rate of 25% — at least for now. The president's tariff proposals also faced a significant legal blow last week. The New York-based Court of International Trade and a federal court in Washington DC ruled that Trump did not have the authority to impose tariffs on nearly every one of the world's countries — a battle predicted to end up in the Supreme Court. Steel and aluminium levies were not part of that ruling, although Washington will likely want to show its determination to push ahead with duties. As the latest hike comes into effect, EU trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will meet his US counterpart Ambassador Jamieson Greer on Wednesday on the sidelines of an OECD meeting in Paris.
Euronews
04-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
President Trump doubles tariffs on steel and aluminium imports to 50%
Neurological conditions affected more than 3 billion people worldwide in 2021, according to a major study published in The Lancet in 2024. These conditions impact the nervous system and comprise a wide variety of disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia and many others. Today, neurological diseases are the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide, and beyond the toll they take on patients and their loved ones, they also impose a significant economic burden. According to another study published in The Lancet, brain disorders are projected to cost the global economy 16 trillion dollars between 2010 and 2030, a figure largely driven by the early onset of these conditions and the resulting long-term loss of productivity. Given the need for research and treatment of brain disorders, some companies are investing in this area to advance our understanding of the brain. Among the most high-profile is Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk in 2016. However, Europe has also emerged as a powerhouse in neurotechnology. A notable example is the Spanish company Neuroelectrics, launched by Ana Maiques and Giulio Ruffini in 2011. Over the years, Neuroelectrics has expanded from its European roots to establish a presence in the United States, becoming an international leader in the field. Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics, joined My Wildest Prediction to share her boldest insights and vision for the future of brain technology. My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Businesswhere we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. In this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Ana Maiques, CEO and Co-Founder of Neuroelectrics. 'My wildest prediction is that neurotechnology is going to impact our daily lives in ways we cannot even imagine,' Ana Maiques told Euronews Business. Maiques clarified that neurotechnology tools should and will not be used to enhance individual traits such as intelligence or reverse ageing. However, she believes these tools will be applied to treat medical conditions, broaden people's experience of reality and strengthen our general understanding of how the brain works. 'A lot of people approach us! (...) We have a paper written with Refik Anadol where we monitored the impact on the visitors' brains of his AI-generated sculptures. Now, we are talking with Michelin-star chefs who want to study the impact of food on the brain from a scientific perspective,' she explained. Maiques acknowledged the fears some people have about using electricity in the brain but emphasised that much of this concern stems from a lack of understanding of the real, positive impact neurotechnology can have. Unlike Neuralink, which develops in-brain implants, Neuroeletrics takes a non–invasive approach, using external tools to monitor and interact with the brain. Neuroelectrics' standout product is the Neoprane Headcap. The cap features electrodes connected to a wireless module located in the back. These electrodes can both monitor the brain activity and deliver electrical stimulation. This tool can help diagnose sleep disorders, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions. It is especially useful in hospital settings where electroencephalogram (EEG) equipment may not be available or where technicians are not present. To develop these tools, Neuroelectrics has been using machine learning and AI for years. 'There is no way we can, as humans, decode the brain without the help of these kinds of tools,' Ana Maiques said. The CEO noted that advancements in AI could lead to the potential modelling of the brain, raising many ethical and scientific questions. However, she emphasised the importance of continued experimentation, as achieving a complete scientific understanding of the brain remains highly complex. Washington has doubled its tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50% as President Donald Trump seeks to exclude foreign producers from the US market. The directive, which the White House shared on X, claimed that the rise would 'provide greater support' to US industries, and would 'eliminate the national security threat' posed by imported steel and aluminium. 'Nobody is going to get around that,' Trump said when first discussing the raise at a rally in Pennsylvania last Friday. 'At 25%, they can sort of get over that fence. At 50% they can no longer get over the fence.' While Washington claims that excluding foreign producers will support employment in the US, critics argue that it also jeopardises domestic jobs. As materials become more expensive and the price of production rises, US firms may let go of staff to trim costs. It's estimated that steel and aluminium tariffs introduced during Trump's first term in 2018 destroyed 75,000 US manufacturing jobs, while creating 1,000 extra jobs in the steel industry. Wednesday's tariff hike also creates added friction with international trade partners ahead of Trump's 9 July deadline, when his so-called 'reciprocal' tariff pause will end. In April, Trump temporarily halted proposed duties on a number of countries. The president's team at the time said they were aiming for '90 deals in 90 days'. So far, the US has only managed to secure a trade deal with the UK, meaning that British steel and aluminium producers will continue to pay a rate of 25% — at least for now. The president's tariff proposals also faced a significant legal blow last week. The New York-based Court of International Trade and a federal court in Washington DC ruled that Trump did not have the authority to impose tariffs on nearly every one of the world's countries — a battle predicted to end up in the Supreme Court. Steel and aluminium levies were not part of that ruling, although Washington will likely want to show its determination to push ahead with duties. As the latest hike comes into effect, EU trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will meet his US counterpart Ambassador Jamieson Greer on Wednesday on the sidelines of an OECD meeting in Paris. In 2024, Amazon contributed over €41 billion to Europe's GDP, and over €29 billion to the EU27, according to their latest impact report, released on June 4. To put that in perspective, €41 billion is just a little bit more than the entire GDP of Latvia. "Our economic impact in Europe goes far beyond the numbers," explains Mariangela Marseglia, VP of Amazon Stores EU. "We're creating opportunities where they're needed most, supporting local economies, and helping to revitalize communities across the continent.' And whilst the impact may 'go beyond the numbers', let's take a closer look at the stats. In the EU, Amazon directly employs 150,000 people and the impact on communities outside of traditional employment hubs has created an interesting ripple effect on the local economies. In France's Hauts-de-France region, where unemployment sits at 8.7% - well above the national average of 7.3% - Amazon has created over 6,000 jobs in the past decade. This region has previously suffered from the deindustrialisation that has plagued many communities in Europe, with the loss of mining, steelmaking and wool industries. The retail giant's fulfillment centre at Lauwin-Planque employs over 2,600 permanent staff, with 84% living within a 30-minute drive. Eleven years after opening, 71% of locals report the site has had a positive or very positive impact, with 94% highlighting job creation as a key benefit. This is echoed across the EU as over 90,000 of Amazon's employees are based in areas with higher than average unemployment rates, according to a report from Eurostat. Research from Ipsos further revealed that 81% of residents near an Amazon logistics facility report increased job opportunities since the company's arrival and over half say financial improvements have led them to consider major life decisions like purchasing property or starting a family. While zero-hour contracts are banned in several EU countries, in the European countries that do allow them, Amazon confirmed this is not an employment method they practice. In 2024, Amazon invested more than €55 billion in infrastructure and its workforce across Europe (€38bn in the EU27), bringing its total investment since 2010 to €320 billion. Although most people know Amazon for its e-commerce platform, a huge part of its business also comes from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its cloud computing offerings. Future investments from the company seem centred around AWS and will drive employment in diverse skill sets. Some €8.8 billion is planned in the Frankfurt region through 2026, supporting 15,200 full-time equivalent jobs and contributing an estimated €15.4 billion to Germany's GDP. Moreover, £8 billion (€9.5 bn) will be invested in the UK before the end of 2028, supporting 14,000 jobs annually and contributing £14 billion (€16.6 bn) to the UK's total GDP. A further €6 billion is being invested in France to develop cloud infrastructure until 2031. Predictions estimate this will contribute €16.8 billion to France's GDP and will support an average of 5,271 full-time jobs annually. In Spain, a €15.7 billion injection will support 17,500 jobs annually and contribute an estimated €21.6 billion to Spain's gross domestic product (GDP) through to 2033.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US voters will soon vote via smartphones, businessman Andrew Yang says
It's undeniable, mobile phones have become essential items in our lives. We use them for everything: communicating with other people, showing off our best pictures, booking gym classes, managing our finances, and even paying for our groceries. Yet, there is one thing most people still don't use their smartphones for: voting in elections. Since Estonia became the first country in the world to introduce internet voting in local government council elections in 2005, this use of technology has been a topic of debate in the political arena. Some experts fear it could undermine democratic standards by threatening voter privacy and compromising the integrity of elections due to potential interceptions and security vulnerabilities. Others opt for a more positive stance, arguing that online voting could increase voter turnout, strengthening democratic systems. United States entrepreneur Andrew Yang is part of the latter group. He joined My Wildest Prediction to explain why, according to him, smartphone voting could revolutionise American politics. Yang is an entrepreneur, a former US presidential candidate with the Democratic Party, and the founding co-chair of the Forward Party. My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Business where we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. In this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Andrew Yang, a US businessman and former presidential candidate. 'My wildest prediction is that Americans will be voting on their smartphones in the next eight years,' Andrew Yang told Euronews Business. In describing how this process could work, Yang cited the US organisation Mobile Voting, a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative working to make smartphone voting a reality. Looking at Mobile Voting's trials, Yang explained that voting by smartphone would not be mandatory, but one option of a hybrid system, allowing people to choose whether to vote digitally or in person. He also noted that the digital ballots would have a paper backup once received by the election offices, adding a layer of verification. According to Yang, mobile voting could profoundly change the US political system. 'Smartphones have been a net negative in terms of the functioning of democracy in America and most countries; it's about time they did something good,' he said. For this reason, Yang believes that resistance to online voting stems less from security concerns and more from a fear of disrupting the existing two-party status quo in the US. Related AI will create new jobs but fuel US domestic terrorism, Scott Galloway says Yang is convinced that mobile voting could make voting more accessible, boost voter turnout and reduce US polarisation. According to him, greater participation would especially impact the US primaries, which have historically been characterised by very low participation. In 2022 primaries, for instance, the turnout of all eligible voters was 21.3%, meaning that the presidential candidates were chosen by a minority. Thanks to a greater participation through mobile voting, Andrew Yang thinks US politics could move away from the biparty system and take into consideration a broader range of opinions. 'That's why we have to improve accessibility, so that you can expand the franchise,' Yang told Euronews Business. He argued that mobile voting could have influenced the outcome of recent US elections: 'It would have changed the type of candidates that were getting through the primaries, if you had a more representative electorate.' Yang thinks that a shift in politics can be helpful in tackling major problems. According to the businessman, US politics needs a structural change to address some important economic questions. 'We're looking for a hero or a villain to save us, a person to change everything, but what's required is changing the underlying system,' he told Euronews Business. We're looking for a hero or a villain to save us, a person to change everything, but what's required is changing the underlying system. Looking ahead, Yang is pessimistic about the trajectory of the US economy. He fears that without bigger political participation, socio-economic inequalities in the country will only continue to deepen.
Euronews
21-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
US voters will soon vote via smartphones, businessman Andrew Yang says
It's undeniable, mobile phones have become essential items in our lives. We use them for everything: communicating with other people, showing off our best pictures, booking gym classes, managing our finances, and even paying for our groceries. Yet, there is one thing most people still don't use their smartphones for: voting in elections. Since Estonia became the first country in the world to introduce internet voting in local government council elections in 2005, this use of technology has been a topic of debate in the political arena. Some experts fear it could undermine democratic standards by threatening voter privacy and compromising the integrity of elections due to potential interceptions and security vulnerabilities. Others opt for a more positive stance, arguing that online voting could increase voter turnout, strengthening democratic systems. United States entrepreneur Andrew Yang is part of the latter group. He joined My Wildest Prediction to explain why, according to him, smartphone voting could revolutionise American politics. Yang is an entrepreneur, a former US presidential candidate with the Democratic Party, and the founding co-chair of the Forward Party. My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Businesswhere we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. In this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Andrew Yang, a US businessman and former presidential candidate. 'My wildest prediction is that Americans will be voting on their smartphones in the next eight years,' Andrew Yang told Euronews Business. In describing how this process could work, Yang cited the US organisation Mobile Voting, a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative working to make smartphone voting a reality. Looking at Mobile Voting's trials, Yang explained that voting by smartphone would not be mandatory, but one option of a hybrid system, allowing people to choose whether to vote digitally or in person. He also noted that the digital ballots would have a paper backup once received by the election offices, adding a layer of verification. According to Yang, mobile voting could profoundly change the US political system. 'Smartphones have been a net negative in terms of the functioning of democracy in America and most countries; it's about time they did something good,' he said. For this reason, Yang believes that resistance to online voting stems less from security concerns and more from a fear of disrupting the existing two-party status quo in the US. Yang is convinced that mobile voting could make voting more accessible, boost voter turnout and reduce US polarisation. According to him, greater participation would especially impact the US primaries, which have historically been characterised by very low participation. In 2022 primaries, for instance, the turnout of all eligible voters was 21.3%, meaning that the presidential candidates were chosen by a minority. Thanks to a greater participation through mobile voting, Andrew Yang thinks US politics could move away from the biparty system and take into consideration a broader range of opinions. 'That's why we have to improve accessibility, so that you can expand the franchise,' Yang told Euronews Business. He argued that mobile voting could have influenced the outcome of recent US elections: 'It would have changed the type of candidates that were getting through the primaries, if you had a more representative electorate.' Yang thinks that a shift in politics can be helpful in tackling major problems. According to the businessman, US politics needs a structural change to address some important economic questions. 'We're looking for a hero or a villain to save us, a person to change everything, but what's required is changing the underlying system,' he told Euronews Business. Looking ahead, Yang is pessimistic about the trajectory of the US economy. He fears that without bigger political participation, socio-economic inequalities in the country will only continue to deepen. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he intends to significantly reduce his political spending in future campaigns, during an interview at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday. Musk reportedly donated more than $250 million (€221 million) to support Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. When asked whether he would match that level of spending in the 2026 midterm elections, Musk replied, 'I think, in terms of political spending, I'm going to do a lot less in the future.' He was offered the role of head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), assisting the president in cutting thousands of federal jobs. However, Musk's political involvement has drawn backlash towards Tesla, including protests and acts of vandalism targeting its showrooms. His support for far-right European parties has also proved controversial, contributing to a steep drop in Tesla's EV sales across the region. Speaking at a town hall in Wisconsin in March, Musk commented, 'It's costing me a lot to be in this job,' referring to his role as a special government employee. Trump had also signalled that Musk's government tenure may be drawing to a close. During Tesla's Q1 earnings call, Musk stated that the time he spends on DOGE would decrease 'significantly' from May onwards. On Tuesday, he reaffirmed that he would remain Tesla's CEO for at least the next five years. Tesla's share price rose 3.6% intraday before paring gains later in the session. The world's largest EV maker has seen its stock rebound more than 50% from a year-low in late April, helped by improving market sentiment abroad amid easing US-China trade tensions. President Trump's recent Middle East tour further boosted US tech stocks, as he secured deals worth over $1 trillion with three major Gulf states. Musk was among the business leaders accompanying Trump on the trip. However, Tesla's shares are still down 12% year-to-date as of the market close on 20 May. Asked about the decline in Tesla's sales, Musk downplayed the concern. 'It's already turned around,' he said, referring to the share price recovery. 'The stock wouldn't be trading near all-time highs if it was not.' While acknowledging that Europe remains Tesla's weakest market, Musk attributed the decline to multiple factors, including tariff shocks and soft EV demand. The company reported a 20% year-on-year decline in EV revenue worldwide in the first quarter. In April, Tesla's European sales continued to fall significantly year-on-year: down 46% in Germany, 62% in the UK, and by more than two-thirds in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Nevertheless, Musk highlighted stronger performance in other regions, stating, 'The sales numbers at this point are strong.' Despite the headwinds, investor optimism remains focused on Tesla's upcoming Robotaxi programme. Musk confirmed on Tuesday, in an interview with CNBC, that Tesla will launch the fully autonomous vehicle services in Austin by the end of June, as originally planned. He added that Robotaxi will later expand to Los Angeles and San Francisco following its Austin debut. Musk had earlier stated that unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology would roll out in California and Texas by June. The Austin launch will feature the Model Y fitted with a 'localised parameter set' optimised for the region.
