Over the moon: Artemis II launches
Economist Podcasts
The Economist
4.3 • 5K Ratings
🗓️ 2 April 2026
⏱️ 23 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
NASA has successfully launched its first crewed space mission in over a decade. Our correspondent explains why America wants to build a moonbase. AI models underperform in languages other than English. And meet China’s social-media stars: influencer-officials.
Guests and host:
- Oliver Morton, senior editor
- Deena Mousa, science writer
- Gabriel Crossley, China correspondent
- Rosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”
Topics covered:
- Artemis II, moon, NASA
- AI, LLMs, language
- China, Chinese Communist Party, influencers, social media
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Economist. |
| 0:08.3 | Hello and welcome to the intelligence from The Economist. |
| 0:13.9 | I'm your host, Rosie Bloor. |
| 0:15.8 | Every weekday, we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world. |
| 0:24.6 | Thank you. we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world. We keep being told that AI models are getting better and better, and they are up to a point. |
| 0:30.6 | But their use and accuracy may depend on what language you ask for help in. |
| 0:37.6 | And most Chinese officials try to avoid publicity. |
| 0:41.8 | But now there's a surprising trend. |
| 0:44.2 | Social media is turning civil servants into video stars. |
| 0:48.1 | We consider the influencer official. |
| 1:02.0 | Thank you. official. First up though, though. |
| 1:08.0 | GLS, go for your left. |
| 1:10.0 | Great call out. The rocket is on its own. |
| 1:12.6 | Four brave explorers, ready to ride the most powerful rocket. |
| 1:16.6 | NASA has ever launched. |
| 1:20.6 | 10, 9, 8, 7. |
| 1:26.6 | RS 25 engines, late, 4, 7, R.S. 25 engines, lit. |
| 1:28.3 | 4, 3, 2, 1, booster ignition, and lift off. |
| 1:36.3 | The crew of Artemis 2 now bound for the moon. |
| 1:39.3 | Humanity's next great voyage begins. |
| 1:49.0 | On Wednesday evening, at around half-past six local time, the wildlife and the observing people at Cape Canaveral |
| 1:53.0 | heard sounds that they have not heard for decades. |
... |
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