The Greatest Threat Humans Just Can’t Stomach with Yuval Noah Harari

The Rest Is Politics

Friday, 18 September 2026 - 44 minutes

Episode 2 is available right now for TRIP Plus members. Sign up at therestispolitics.com

What can the Aztec Empire's catastrophic failure to understand Cortés and the Spanish conquistadors teach us about the threat AI poses today? Why does Yuval Noah Harari believe our gut refuses to accept an "alien intelligence" our brains already understand to be a threat? And can Britain avoid becoming an "AI vassal state" - or has that moment already passed?

Rory is joined by Professor Yuval Noah Harari for Part 1 of their conversation on existential threats. Part 2 is available now for TRIP Plus members.

Producer: India Dunkley

Researcher: Evie Townend

Video Editor: Josh Smith

Social Producer: Celine Charles

Executive Producer: Isabella Soames

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices