Hello and welcome to the 200th episode of the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

Chinese and American firms are both trying to bring driverless cars to the mass market.

On much of the core technology, American companies would seem to be in the lead.

With a little help from its 5G network, China might already be winning the race.

And have you noticed that your email program suggests replies that are eerily appropriate?

Computer-generated text is getting more savvy all the time,

but don't relax your writing muscles too much.

The bots are still terrible at crafting arguments.

First up, though.

As the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump continues,

the start of the trial of his longtime associate is likely to provide him with more discomfort.

Roger Stone is a flamboyant and controversial political strategist,

known for using aggressive tactics to discredit opposing candidates.

He's worked as a campaign adviser to a number of Republican presidents,

including Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Mr. Stone formed a relationship with the current president four decades ago.

He first advised Mr. Trump to run for the White House in 1988.

But all the polls are showing that I win or do very well in this election.

I'm not happy with what's happening in the country.

That friendship, mentorship even, was the focus of a 2017 Netflix documentary called

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