Open to Debate
by Open to Debate
Latest episode
Will Generative AI Enhance or Stunt College Learning?
Will Generative AI Enhance or Stunt College Learning?
About this podcast
America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate offers an antidote to the chaos. We bring multiple perspectives together for real, nonpartisan debates. Debates that are structured, respectful, clever, provocative, and driven by the facts. Open to Debate is on a mission to restore balance to the public square through expert moderation, good-faith arguments, and reasoned analysis. We examine the issues of the day with the world’s most influential thinkers spanning science, technology, politics, culture, and global affairs. It’s time to build a stronger, more united democracy with the civil exchange of ideas. Be open-minded. Be curious. Be ready to listen. Join us in being Open to Debate. (Formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.)
Episodes
The newest 50 of 486 episodes
- Will Generative AI Enhance or Stunt College Learning? · 1 h 20 minAI is transforming college classrooms, but is it helping students learn or doing the thinking for them? Critics warn that AI can enable cheating, weaken critical thinking, and…
- Should We Stop Trusting AI Agents with Our Information? · 1 h 8 minWould you hand a stranger access to your bank accounts, private messages, and personal information? What if that stranger were an AI agent? Advocates argue these tools could…
- Age Limits for Congress? · 1 h 5 minCongress is getting older: 24 members are 80 or older. Yet with few exceptions, older incumbents have beaten back younger challengers in primary after primary. Critics warn that…
- Should Cities Pull the Plug on Flock Cameras? · 1 h 9 minFrom packed city council meetings to protests outside city halls, a growing backlash against Flock Safety cameras capturing images of passing vehicles and license plates to help…
- Should Extinct Animals Stay Extinct? (Encore) · 1 h 39 minOnce a sci-fi fantasy explored in films like “Jurassic Park,” some biological and technological breakthroughs indicate that reviving extinct creatures could become a reality…
- Think Twice: Navigating the Election Cycle & Civic Power with Eric Liu · 1 h 3 minAmid deep political division and ahead of the midterms, what does good citizenship require? In his new book, “Live Like a Citizen,” Citizen University’s Eric Liu argues that…
- Should We Phase Out Social Security? · 1 h 6 minSocial Security has long been a cornerstone of American retirement, but as the trust fund grows closer to depletion by 2032, should the system be repaired or replaced with new…
- Does the U.S.-Saudi Civil Nuclear Agreement Serve America's Interests? · 1 h 19 minThe U.S. and Saudi Arabia have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that supporters say could strengthen ties, advance normalization, and give Washington greater…
- Is the United Nations Obsolete? (Encore) · 1 h 0 minAs world attention descends on the United Nations General Assembly, Open to Debate is once again casting a critical lens on this over 80-year-old global organization. To this…
- Is Parenting Overrated? (Encore) · 1 h 27 minWhat shapes us more: our DNA or the way we’re raised? The “nature” camp points to genetic research and studies of twins raised apart, arguing that traits from personality to…
- Is America Ready for a Four-Day Work Week? · 1 h 4 minA century after Henry Ford helped popularize the five-day, 40-hour week, could working 32 hours be next? Supporters say shorter weeks can improve well-being without sacrificing…
- Is Capitalism Broken? · 1 h 8 minCapitalism has long been credited with driving innovation and prosperity, yet many Americans increasingly believe the system is no longer working for them. Is the problem…
- Can Humans Adapt to Climate Change? (Encore) · 53 minThe dangers of climate change are “no longer over the horizon.” Humanity may soon pass the “point of no return.” These are the phrases U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres…
- Is Death Final? (Encore) · 55 minNear-death experiences have long challenged our understanding of consciousness and mortality. Some who come close to death report leaving their bodies, encountering vivid…
- Are Primary Elections Ruining Democracy? (Encore) · 53 minThe midterms are coming up this fall, and right now we are in the middle of a contentious primary season, with a lot of new faces challenging incumbents—and many winning. It’s in…
- America 250: Is It Time To Stop Idolizing the Founders? · 53 minAs America celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, the legacy of the Founders is under renewed scrutiny. Were they visionary architects of liberty whose…
- Should the Death Penalty Be Abolished? · 53 minFifty years after the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment, the death penalty remains one of America's most divisive issues. Supporters argue it delivers justice for the…
- Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie: Are We Overcomplicating Love and Sex? · 53 minForget "happily ever after." As marriage and birth rates fall, young adults have less sex, and assumptions about love and commitment are being challenged. In this episode of…
- Who Is Winning the Iran War: Tehran or Trump? · 53 minAfter signing a Memorandum of Understanding in June, the U.S. and Iran entered a delicate peace. As negotiators worked toward a permanent deal, one question loomed: Who won the…
- BONUS: The Blessings of Liberty: Jeffrey Rosen & Ken Burns on America’s 250th · 48 minAs a bonus, today we’re sharing a special episode of The Blessings of Liberty, a new podcast from Open to Debate debater Jeffrey Rosen and our friends at FIRE, the Foundation for…
- Is the American Dream in Decline? · 53 minThe American Dream – the idea that anyone can achieve success in the U.S. through hard work and determination – is under scrutiny, and some worry it’s no longer achievable for…
- The Pursuit of Happiness: Virtue or Pleasure? · 53 minHappiness is a complex emotion and mental state that can be achieved through virtue or pleasure. But should it be for the good of the individual or society? Those in favor of…
- World on the Brink? · 53 minAs the Iran war reshapes the Middle East and raises new questions about America’s role in the world, Danielle Pletka and Julia Ioffe join moderator-in-chief John Donvan at the…
- Is It Ethical To Cooperate With Chinese State Institutions To Secure Incremental Change? · 53 minAs democratic governments, universities, and civil society organizations grapple with how to engage China, an ethical question persists: should cooperation with Chinese state…
- Should America End Birthright Citizenship? · 53 minBirthright citizenship guarantees citizenship to anyone born within the United States’ territory, regardless of a parent’s nationality. But should this legal principle be removed…
- Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie: Are the Parents Alright? · 53 minThese days, it can feel like raising kids has become a minefield. Somewhere along the way, older generations started looking at younger generations and asking, “Are the parents…
- Government as Shareholder: Proactive Competitive Strategy or Last Resort? · 53 minGlobal powers are increasingly shaping markets and taking equity positions in strategic industries. But recently, Washington’s role in the economy has expanded, with stakes in…
- Is the Scientific Enterprise Too Risk-Averse? · 53 minModern science has given us the ability to edit our genes, life-saving vaccines, and glimpse the origins of the universe. But is the same system holding itself back? Critics…
- Should Museums Repatriate Cultural Artifacts? · 53 minFor centuries, museums in Europe and the U.S. built their collections during eras of empire and unequal power. Now, institutions face growing calls to return artifacts taken…
- Should We Separate the Art from the Artist? · 53 minIt turns out your favorite artist is a monster. Say they committed murder, advocated genocide, or engaged in some other act so outside the scope of a dignified, respectable…
- Should We Use Gene Editing to Make Better Babies? · 53 minYour doctor tells you that, should you wish to have a child, that child is likely also to carry the disease. But a new gene-editing technology could ensure that your baby is…
- Will the AI Bubble Burst? · 53 minArtificial intelligence has ignited one of the most spectacular surges of investment, hype, and technological promise, but some worry that the enthusiasm is resembling a bubble…
- Wartime Kill Decisions: Human or AI? · 53 minEven with a fragile ceasefire in place between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, we wanted to revisit this prescient debate from last fall. In the past few weeks of war, autonomous…
- Think Twice About The Meaning of Your Life with Arthur C. Brooks · 53 minAt some point, we all ask: “Is this what I’m meant to do?” In this "Think Twice" episode, social scientist Arthur C. Brooks joins Open to Debate's CEO Lia Matthow to explore why…
- Should the U.S. Prioritize Settling Mars? · 53 minNASA is preparing for the Artemis II mission — a major step back into deep space to explore the Moon. But as NASA, SpaceX, and other private companies are also working on plans…
- Has Legalizing Sports Gambling Become A Bad Bet? · 53 minSports fans can place bets on their favorite teams and athletes faster and easier than before, thanks to legalized sports gambling. But was it the wrong bet to make? Advocates…
- The Future of Film: Big Screen or Stream? · 53 minWhere do you watch the latest movie everyone’s talking about—on Netflix at home or in a packed theater? Are theaters the irreplaceable heart of cinema, creating cultural moments…
- Will AI Make Work Obsolete? · 53 minAI can write code, diagnose diseases, design buildings, and create art. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude and autonomous robots are transforming industries once seen as…
- Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie: The Golden Age of News Media · 53 minAre we in a News Media Golden Age, or a fragmented era? In this “Generational Divides” episode, Reason editor-at-large Nick Gillespie brings together Baby Boomer, Millennial, and…
- Smart Girl Dumb Questions: Will the Market Crash in 2026? With Andrew Ross Sorkin · 1 h 22 minToday we're playing you an episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, a show hosted by journalist and frequent Open to Debate guest moderator Nayeema Raza. She speaks to Andrew Ross…
- Think Twice About War, Tech, & Dirty Supply Chains: The Elements of Power with Nicolas Niarchos · 53 minYour smartphone feels sleek and futuristic—but the supply chain behind it is anything but. In this conversation with moderator-in-chief John Donvan, journalist and “The Elements…
- Could Dating an AI Be Better Than Dating a Human? · 53 minLove in the time of AI? Some people seeking romance or friendship are turning to AI chatbots to fulfill those desires, but could they surpass traditional human relationships?…
- Is U.S. Control of Limited Territory in Greenland A Strategic Necessity? · 53 minGreenland has become a geopolitical flashpoint. President Trump wants control of it, or at least sovereignty over some areas for military purposes, arguing that the United States…
- Legalize Assisted Suicide? · 53 minIn December of 2025, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that after months of negotiations with the state legislature, she was finally ready to sign into law a new…
- Innovation or Intrusion: The Big Data Debate · 53 minEvery click, search, and online purchase feeds the data economy, driving AI, global business, and even political campaigns. But with risks growing in the private and public…
- Is It OK to Pay for Sex? · 53 minProstitution remains heavily stigmatized and legally complex globally. Those in favor of paying for sex and support decriminalization argue that it’s a profession that deserves…
- Does AA Work? · 53 minMillions of people have credited Alcoholics Anonymous with helping them stay sober from alcohol, but is it the best path for everyone? Those who say “yes” argue it is easily…
- Has Feminism Hurt Women? · 53 minFrom the 19th Amendment to the #MeToo movement, the feminist movement has profoundly reshaped society. But have its good intentions backfired? Those arguing it hasn’t note that…
- Can Religion Cure the Loneliness Epidemic? · 54 minAmerica is suffering from a loneliness epidemic. Some groups have suggested religious communities may be key to solving it. Could it help? Those arguing “yes” say it gives people…
- How to Resolve Conflicts in Relationships: A Conversation with Esther Perel · 53 minCouples have arguments over many topics. However, it’s through resolving conflict that both people in the relationship feel heard and seen. Psychotherapist, relationship expert…
