Behind The Lines

Barring any major challenges, the President's new tariff on steel and aluminum will go into effect in less than two weeks. To help break down the intentions behind the tariff and how it will affect a broad swath of the US economy, IBISWorld analysts Rob Miles and John Madigan sat down with host Sean Egan to discuss the move. The team dives into the precedent for a tariff of this nature, the major industries that will be affected (such as construction), and what other ramifications it could have on consumers and businesses alike.

There is one goal that drives technological research in solar power, electric vehicles, smartphones, and countless other industries: the quest for the perfect battery. In this edition of Technobabble, IBISWorld analysts Jon Hadad and Dylan Miller walk editor Kieran Newton through the seemingly-endless current and potential uses for batteries. The team discusses how Elon Musk's current projects could impact the automotive sector, as well as how the importance of cobalt might impact smartphone power.

With the Academy Awards right around the corner (and companies like Netflix and Amazon scoring more nominations than ever), IBISWorld analysts Devin McGinley and Rob Miles spoke with editor Kieran Newton about some of the large shifts coming to movie production and distribution, as well as the entertainment sector overall. Devin investigates how the industry's "old guard" is changing, and Rob focuses on how the new-media upstarts are disrupting the norm.

On this month's edition of Technobabble, Jon and Dylan accept the herculean task of explaining to Kieran exactly what blockchain, bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies are, what they mean, and what economic ramifications they could have in the long term. Jon introduces us to the term "motherlord". Dylan gets excited about semiconductors (again). Kieran gets lost in the weeds.

With the first anniversary of President Trump's inauguration just around the corner, editor Sean Egan sat down with analysts John Madigan and Devin McGinley to discuss the specific industries and sectors highlighted by the Trump campaign, and how well the administration has followed through. John takes a look at Trump's promises concerning the mining sector and making America completely energy-independent, while Devin investigates the administration's major trade policies and how the rhetoric on these issues has changed.

For the second installment of Technobabble, our ongoing series looking at the new uses and implications of technology in the economy, editor Kieran Newton and analysts Dylan Miller and Jon Hadad return to the studio to take a look at the state of artificial intelligence at the end of 2017. The team chats about some industries where AI and machine learning are already making an impact, makes some bold predictions for where it will move next, and muses about how the economy (and society at large) will change in an era of robots with citizenship and interconnected megacities.

With mergers being attempted, approved and denied across varied industries, from CVS and Aetna to Disney and 21st Century Fox, mergers & acquisitions are a hot-button issue. Analysts Jon Hadad, Anthony Gambardella and Chrystalleni Stivaros sit down for a comprehensive dive into the complicated world of M&A, why mergers get blocked and whether the new administration will lead to more of these deals going through.

IBISWorld analysts Jonathan Hadad and Dylan Miller sit down with editor Kieran Newton to talk about the new iPhone X, take stock of the decade-long legacy of the iPhone, and consider the future of privacy and industries in the post-smartphone world in the first installment of IBISWorld's ongoing technology-focused series, Technobabble.

Editor Vicky Wolak speaks with analysts Jon Hadad, Claire O'Connor and Marisa Lifschutz about the Equifax cyberattack, what it means for consumers and what other industries and companies have done after massive data breaches.

Editor Kieran Newton and analysts Devin McGinley and Taylor Palmer break down how industries both regional and nationwide could be affected by Hurricane Harvey.

IBISWorld also encourages listeners to find a charity they support and give what they can to support the relief efforts in Houston.