2050 Investors — Economic and markets megatrends, ahead of 2050’s global sustainability targets

This episode was first aired on 18/11/2021

What is the impact of technological change on employment? When it comes to skills and jobs, adaptability quotient (AQ) can have a massive impact on your career, in comparison to intellectual (IQ) and emotional (EQ) quotients. Especially as workers must change and evolve to keep pace with technologies. So, how individuals make their way through employment opportunities?
 
In this new episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou Agbo-Bloua investigates our ability to survive in a labour market that is poised to be revolutionized by technology. Key themes such as the evolution of job sectors, the role of government policies in addressing societal needs, and the shifting dynamics of job hierarchies are expertly dissected. From the necessity of social skills in service-oriented industries to the growing demand for adaptable professionals in the digital age, the episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary job landscape.

As the conversation deepens, Kokou is joined by Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides, 2010 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics. Together they discuss topics ranging from the impact of emerging technologies to the challenges of worsening inequality. Sir Pissarides provides profound perspectives on the future of work and the essential skills required to thrive in an ever-changing environment.

Through anecdotes and real-life experiences, listeners gain valuable insights into the dynamic nature of job markets, spanning from the dot-com boom to the aftermath of financial crises. With memorable quotes from renowned figures like Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, the episode leaves a lasting impression, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the pursuit of career success. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding talent, this episode promises to help you understand the complexities of the modern workforce with confidence and agility.

About this show
Welcome to 2050 Investors, your monthly guide to understanding the intricate connections between finance, globalisation, and ESG.
 
Join host Kokou Agbo-Bloua, Head of Economics, Cross-Asset & Quant Research at Societe Generale, for an exploration of the economic and market megatrends shaping the present and future, and how these trends might influence our progress to meeting 2050’s challenging global sustainability targets.
 
If you like 2050 Investors, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support will help us spread the word and reach new audiences. If you’re seeking a brief and entertaining overview of market-related topics and their business and societal implications, subscribe now to stay informed!
 
Previous episodes of 2050 Investors have explored ESG, climate change, AI, greenflation, globalization, plastic pollution, food, healthcare, biodiversity and more.

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua. Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard.
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton. Music: Cézame Music Agency. Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly.
This episode is a reworked replay based on its original version. (link to the original version)
 
Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if our biggest edge in an AI world isn’t more data—but better learning?
 
In this episode of 2050 Investors, host Kokou Agbo-Bloua pits biological intelligence (BI) against its artificial counterpart (AI). Creativity and synapses on one side; scale, speed, and 24/7 recall on the other. We discover why deep learning happens in alpha, not frenetic beta; why a 20-watt human brain still outperforms giant models on imagination; and what centaur-style teaming (humans + machines) means for faster search, synthesis, and simulation.
 
Later, guest Dr. Barbara Oakley, Professor of Engineering at Oakland University and a scholar on how people acquire expertise, shares pragmatic protocols for busy professionals to build “chunks” of expertise that hold up under market stress; the dangers of fully offloading cognition to AI (and how to protect internal knowledge and critical thinking), and why embracing discomfort is the price of neural rewiring and real growth.
 
Unpack this episode for a science-backed career playbook to stay ahead in 2026.

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua. Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard.
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton. Music: Cézame Music Agency. Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly.

Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode was first aired on 29/01/2025

How did the banking system evolve from a simple bench—the very origin of the word “bank”—into the sophisticated institutions that drive the global economy?

Banks are more than just institutions. With over 4,000 years of history, they have played a pivotal role in powering industrial revolutions, transforming dreams into reality, and adapting to the evolving needs of clients across generations. From economic booms to busts, they have stood the test of time, channeling funding like the lifeblood of the economy and serving as critical cogs in the machinery of society. Banks have turned the alchemy of compound interest—Einstein’s “8th wonder of the world”—into a driving force behind economic growth.

In this episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou Agbo-Bloua dives into the essential role of banks and the foundations of the global banking system. Through his analysis, he explores the power of compound interest, the history of banking and the evolution of business models and regulatory frameworks. Highlighting their role as financial intermediaries, Kokou unpacks how they contribute to societal and economic progress through fractional reserve banking.

Later in the episode, Kokou interviews Slawomir Krupa, as the bank marks its 160th anniversary. Slawomir reflects on how Societe Generale has remained true to its original mission of combining innovation with strength in its business model. He discusses the bank’s focus on sustainability and responsibility, emphasizing its vital role in financing the economy, supporting transformational projects, and offering strategic advice to clients to drive these developments. He also shares insights on how climate change and AI are driving institutions to reinvent themselves.

This episode is a compelling exploration of the past, present, and future of banking, offering fresh insights into how this age-old institution continues to influence our lives and economies.

About this show
Welcome to 2050 Investors, your monthly guide to understanding the intricate connections between finance, globalisation, and ESG.
 
Join host Kokou Agbo-Bloua, Head of Economics, Cross-Asset & Quant Research at Societe Generale, for an exploration of the economic and market megatrends shaping the present and future, and how these trends might influence our progress to meeting 2050’s challenging global sustainability targets.
 
If you like 2050 Investors, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your support will help us spread the word and reach new audiences. If you’re seeking a brief and entertaining overview of market-related topics and their business and societal implications, subscribe now to stay informed!
 
Previous episodes of 2050 Investors have explored ESG, climate change, AI, greenflation, globalization, plastic pollution, food, healthcare, biodiversity and more.
 
Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua
Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton.
Music: Cézame Music Agency
Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly
 
Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Artificial intelligence may appear weightless, but its backbone is built on vast, energy-hungry data centers. In this episode, host Kokou Agbo-Bloua explores how these facilities—from corporate server farms to hyperscale sites—have become the brain of the AI boom. Kokou dissects the dual demands of AI: training massive models and running inference, and how these processes are fundamentally reshaping global energy and water consumption, while fuelling a trillion-dollar investment race.

Later, Sikander Rashid, Global Head of AI Infrastructure at Brookfield Asset Management, joins to discuss how investors are navigating soaring demand for computational power amid the global race towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). He shares his insights on how balancing carbon mitigation with capacity expansion could reshape global capital flows and addresses the age-old question: are we in an AI boom or a bubble?

Tune in now to uncover the hidden infrastructure behind AI—and what it means for the future of technology, finance, and the planet.

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua
Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton.
Music: Cézame Music Agency
Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly

Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

$25 trillion! This is the sum injected into the economy by Governments and Central Banks to protect a significant portion of the global economy during the Covid crisis. Where does this funding come from, and what are the impacts of such government spending? Is this strategy sustainable in the long term? These are important questions to consider, particularly since we are in a year where half of the world's population is heading to the polls and many candidates are advocating for a 'whatever it takes' approach.

Even if we are near full employment, witnessing rising wages, have defeated the Coronavirus, and have inflation levels gradually approaching central bank objectives, let us not overlook the consequences of this approach. The massive government spending to save lives, known as 'whatever it takes,' is not without costs. As the saying goes, there‘s no such thing as a free lunch! The result? Endemic sovereign debt and budget deficits – a metaphorical portrayal of 'original sin.'

In this episode of 2050 Investors, Kokou Agbo-Bloua will delve into sovereign debt sustainability and explore how governments can balance their finances amid high-interest rates while meeting the demands of voters. Joining the discussion is Anatoli Annenkov, Societe Generale's Senior Economist for Europe, who will analyse the relationship between public debt and central banks. He will explain how central banks can help stabilize sovereign debt crises and shed light on the importance of their independence.

Credits
Presenter & Writer: Kokou Agbo-Bloua. Producers & Editors: Jovaney Ashman, Jennifer Krumm, Louis Trouslard.
Sound Director: La Vilaine, Pierre-Emmanuel Lurton. Music: Cézame Music Agency. Graphic Design: Cédric Cazaly.
This episode is a reworked replay based on its original version. (link to the original version)

Whilst the following podcast discusses the financial markets, it does not recommend any particular investment decision. If you are unsure of the merits of any investment decision, please seek professional advice. 

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.