Beyond Unprecedented: The Post-Pandemic Economy

The last decade has seen growing popularity of electric and self-driving vehicles. Xuan “Sharon” Di, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at Columbia University, discusses the current capabilities of, market for, and regulatory frameworks around electric and autonomous cars. Download a transcript.

With advances in artificial intelligence and the emergence of generative AI, IBM Software Senior Vice President of Product Management and Growth Kareem Yusuf discusses what lies ahead—including regulatory ramifications and how the technology may affect workers and the economy.

The co-hosts kick off a fourth season of Beyond Unprecedented with Lauren Hirsch of The New York Times. They preview the season and discuss important economic and legal developments affecting companies, investors, and workers.

Over the past 24 months, inflation has soared in the United States, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. Huw Pill, chief economist and executive director for monetary analysis and research for the Bank of England, discusses the factors driving high inflation and efforts to curb rising prices. (This episode was recorded on April 18, 2023.)

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently adopted rules mandating the use of universal proxy cards for electing directors to the boards of public companies. Broadridge Financial Solutions Chief Legal Officer Keir Gumbs discusses the new rules and the potential repercussions of universal proxy card voting for investors and corporations.

The corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) movement has come under fire. After many large corporations began to adopt specific ESG measures in response to shareholder pressure, other shareholder groups are trying to undo them. Inclusive Capital Partners co-founders Lynn Forester de Rothschild ’79 and Jeff Ubben discuss the rise in “anti-woke” shareholder activism, the politicization of ESG, and what lies ahead. Download a transcript.

With a growing crisis in the crypto financial system, Bloomberg Opinion columnist Matt Levine discusses key challenges and opportunities facing the crypto industry, the relevant regulatory framework, and what lies ahead for the space.

The co-hosts kick off season three of Beyond Unprecedented with the Financial Times’ Sujeet Indap to preview the season and map out key developments affecting workers, investors, companies, and communities.

In the venture capital industry, overwhelmingly white male investors provide funding to white male entrepreneurs. In Season 2 episode 4, Professor Eric Talley and Research Fellow Kate Waldock ’23 are joined by Columbia Law School professor Talia Gillis and co-founder of Act One Ventures Alejandro Guerrero to discuss how to build racial and gender equity into venture capital deals.

Shareholder activists are trying to force corporations to act on climate change and diversity. In S2 Ep3 Anne E. Robinson ’94 of Vanguard joins co-hosts Professor Eric Talley and Millstein Center Research Fellow Kate Waldock to discuss when and how institutional investors are willing to join proxy battles.