What happens when economic expertise meets political upheaval?

In this episode of Conversation Changers, Nobel Prize–winning economist Eric Maskin sits down with Salzburg Global CEO & President, Martin Weiss, to reflect on how receiving the Nobel Prize expanded his public role at a time when expertise, science, and democratic institutions are increasingly under pressure. Trained as a mathematician and now a leading voice in game theory and voting systems, Maskin discusses why engaging beyond the classroom has become essential — and why science, by its very nature, must remain open, tentative, and evidence-driven.

The conversation ranges widely, from the promise and backlash surrounding vaccines to the shifting trajectory of China’s economy under Xi Jinping. Maskin explores how China’s earlier market liberalization has slowed, the role individual leaders play in shaping history, and why exposure to Western education continues to influence China’s scientific and economic elites.

Turning to the United States, Maskin offers a firsthand perspective on growing tensions between elite universities and political power, including the mounting pressure on Harvard and what it means for academic freedom. He also delivers a clear-eyed critique of tariffs, arguing that they function as a tax on consumers, undermine global cooperation, and risk destabilizing the post-war economic order that has underpinned decades of relative peace.

Finally, Maskin challenges listeners to rethink how societies respond to globalization and automation. Rather than retreating behind trade barriers, he argues, the real solution lies in investing in training, adaptation, and opportunity — changing the conversation from protection to progress.

A wide-ranging and timely discussion on economics, democracy, and why individuals still matter in shaping our collective future.

(Editors Note: This episode was recorded in August 2025)

Chapters:

00:00 The Role of Experts in Society

02:58 Eric Maskin: A Nobel Laureate's Journey

06:08 The Importance of Science and Public Trust

08:51 China's Economic Model: Successes and Challenges

11:53 The Impact of Xi Jinping on China's Future

14:54 The Human Element in History and Leadership

17:53 The Current State of American Universities

21:08 Tariffs and Their Economic Implications

26:58 Changing the Conversation: Solutions for the Future

About Eric Maskin:

Eric Maskin was born in New York City, but grew up in New Jersey. Maskin studied mathematics at Harvard University under Laureate in Economic Sciences Kenneth Arrow. He taught economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 1977-1984, after which he went on to become a professor at Harvard and subsequently Princeton University. He returned to Harvard in 2011.

Eric Maskin has worked in diverse areas of economic theory. He received the Nobel Prize for his work on mechanism design theory, a specialized form of game theory that attempts to maximize gain for all parties within markets. Maskin and fellow laureate Roger Myerson built on the mechanism design work of Leonid Hurwicz, who was the pioneer in the field.

Find out more about Eric Maskin here: https://maskin.scholars.harvard.edu/

Follow Martin Weiss here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-weiss-ba264424a/

Find out more about Salzburg Global here: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/

In this thought-provoking episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander sits down with tech philosopher and engineer Jasvin Bhasin to explore one of the defining questions of our time: What does it mean to be human in the age of AI?

With 84% of U.S. high school students already using AI for schoolwork and major companies restructuring their workforces around automation, Jasvin and Eric unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, creativity, and the global job market. They examine the commoditization of creative output, the rise of the attention economy, and why the humanities may become more—not less—essential in an AI-driven era.

Jasvin offers a compelling case for redefining value in the digital age, championing interdisciplinary collaboration and a renewed emphasis on decision-making, critical thinking, and “genius” as the ability to see what others cannot. She shares why she’s optimistic about Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how young people can prepare for jobs that don’t yet exist.

This episode challenges long-held assumptions about intelligence, productivity, and the future of work—and invites listeners to rethink how societies should adapt as machines increasingly share the cognitive landscape with humans.

This conversation explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence on education, creativity, and the job market. It highlights the increasing reliance on AI in schools, the commoditization of creativity, and the need to reevaluate educational systems and skills for the future. The discussion emphasizes the importance of humanities and critical thinking in an AI-driven world, while also empowering the next generation to navigate these changes effectively.

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Chapters:

00:00 The Rise of AI in Education

02:50 Creativity and Original Thought in the Age of AI

05:43 Reevaluating Education and Skills for the Future

09:09 The Importance of Humanities in the AI Era

11:53 Navigating the Job Market in an AI-Driven World

14:54 Empowering the Next Generation

17:50 Changing the Conversation Around AI

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About Jasvin Bhasin

Jasvin Bhasin is a German tech philosopher, computer engineer and advisor with Indian roots. She is the founder of bridge.the.NEXT( ), a Munich-based "think-and-do" tank dedicated to shaping the future at the intersection of technology, society and leadership.

Her work spans advising start-ups, corporates, government agencies and academia on topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and the future of work. A sought-after keynote speaker and writer, Jasvin brings a unique perspective to technological transformation and human-centered innovation.

She is a Salzburg Global Fellow and an active mentor in several industry programs focused on empowering the next generation of leaders. Prior to founding her venture, Jasvin spent more than a decade building an international career across the technology, banking, and automotive industries.

Follow Jasvine on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasvinbhasin/

Subscribe to the bridge.the.NEXT( ) LinkedIn Newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7401570271750676480

Follow bridge.the.NEXT( ) on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/bridge.the.next/

Subscribe to Jasvine’s Substack Newsletter here: https://jasvinbhasin.substack.com/

Follow Eric Olander here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander/

What if the next frontier of artificial intelligence wasn't about the future but about reclaiming the past? Nigerian artist, filmmaker, and creative technologist Malik Afegbua became a global conversation-changer when his viral "Elder Series"—AI-generated images of stylish seniors on a fashion runway—highlighted the deep-seated biases in AI training data, forcing us to confront the lack of representation in our digital future.​

​In this powerful episode, Malik argues that the solution to AI’s bias lies in intentional storytelling and leveraging technology to connect directly with the wisdom of the past. He introduces the revolutionary concept of creating digital twins of our ancestors, which would enable future generations to engage with their heritage and access "credible knowledge from our ancestors”.

​Malik and host Eric Olander discuss how African creatives are intentionally shaping AI, how understanding historical context is crucial for future projections, and why embracing technology can be the most powerful way to preserve cultural legacy for a better tomorrow.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Why the quality of AI's outputs depends entirely on challenging its biased inputs, and the role of African creatives in that process.

​The groundbreaking vision of creating 'digital twins' to represent and learn from ancestral knowledge in a modern context.

​How preserving African histories through technology is helping to build an aspirational future not one that is suppressed or sad.

​Why understanding historical timelines is crucial for revealing patterns that inform our decisions today.

​Malik’s advice on how a positive mindset and intentional stories can empower change without needing external permission.

Chapters:

00:00 The Rise of AI in Daily Life

03:04 Bias and Representation in AI

05:53 The Role of African Creatives in AI

09:02 Challenges of Access and Ownership in AI

12:03 Preserving African Histories through Technology

17:46 Reimagining the Future with AI

20:56 Empowering Change through Technology

About Malik Afegbua:

Malik Afegbua is a Nigerian artist and the CEO of Slickcity Media, in Lagos, Nigeria. He weaves magic across film, VR, and design. At Slickcity Media, he crafts documentaries, commercials, and immersive VR experiences, pushing boundaries and blending tradition with innovative tech like VR and AI art.

His viral "The Elder Series" exemplifies his genius. Using AI, he reimagined seniors in vibrant fashion shows, sparking a global dialogue about inclusivity and challenging ageism. But Malik's impact extends beyond visuals. He is a champion for social change and founded C.E.L.S. to empower Nigerian youth through education and mentorship.

He is a cultural guardian, collaborating with Meta to preserve African heritage through VR documentaries. His expertise in AI design shines through collaborations with Marvel Studios, Cadbury, Glenfiddich, IBM, and more. His AI art has graced platforms like Cannes and the Mozambique Ministry of Tourism.

At Slickcity Media, Malik leads the charge, translating ideas into captivating content across platforms. He harnesses the power of AI to enhance storytelling and deliver innovative narratives, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity.

Follow Malik Afegbua on:

Instagram: @slickcityceo⁠

LinkedIn: @malik-afegbua

Find out more about ‘The Elder Series’ here: https://elderseries.carrd.co

Find out more about Salzburg Global here: https://www.salzburgglobal.org