The Green Room: Questions that matter most in business

Autocorrect. Chatbots. Social media feeds. E-payments. Facial recognition.

These are just some examples of artificial intelligence we come across daily.

50 years ago, its possibilities seemed like science fiction to us. Now, it's quickly permeating almost every sphere of our personal and working lives.

Some days, we get excited about its tremendous potential. Because just like the first machines, which helped us scale human labour by mimicking our muscles, AI is scaling our cognitive abilities.

Other days, we can't help but worry about the risks. We wonder whether it's fully safe, reliable and trustworthy. We read about racial bias in facial recognition and generative AI threatening jobs – and wonder if we're doing it right.

AI is here to stay. But where it's going is up to us. Because as humans come up with new technologies, we evolve with them too.

So let's talk about the future of AI. What's the ideal relationship between humans and AI? How do we make sure it's used for good, amplifying our human intellect? Can we make sure it stays that way? How do we work together to maintain agency?

How can we make sure we're inclusive in its design – and thoughtful in its application? What can AI teach us about ourselves – is it holding up a mirror to our humanity? Could it help us imagine a better working future for us all?

For our latest episode, we invited Professor Sandra Wachter, who teaches technology and regulation at the Oxford Internet Institute, and Sulabh Soral, our very own Chief AI Officer.

Tune in to find out:

• How we all use AI in our daily lives more than we think
• Why Sandra believes we need to embrace problems like bias
• How Sulabh is seeing AI helping address climate change
• Whether they think there's a happy future for humans and AI…

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Professor Sandra Wachter, who teaches technology and regulation at the Oxford Internet Institute, and Sulabh Soral, Chief AI Officer at Deloitte Consulting

Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth

Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett

Baby boomers. Generation X. Millennials. Gen Z. And make way for Generation Alpha… Labels can help us understand the world, but they often become unhelpful generalisations – especially at work. So where do these stereotypes come from? And just how accurate are they?

To help us sort 'sweeping generalisation' from 'trends sweeping generations', we've enlisted the help of two experts; Bobby Duffy, professor at Kings College and author of 'Generations: Does when you're born shape who you are?' and Shivani Maitra, private sector leader for human capital at Deloitte.

Tune in to find out:

• Where generational stereotypes actually come from – and whether they've always existed
• Why Bobby thinks generational analysis can be a powerful tool
• Shivani's advice for leaders looking to bring five generations together in the workplace
• The age our hosts think life peaks at – and why our guests disagree…

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Bobby Duffy, professor at Kings College and author of 'Generations: Does when you're born shape who you are?, and Shivani Maitra, private sector leader for human capital at Deloitte.

Hosts: George Parrett & Lizzie Elston

Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett

We often say we're going round in circles like it's a bad thing. But it might just be the key to a better future for our planet – and the people on it. That's the idea behind switching to a circular economy. But what would that new economy look like? And what can we do to make it happen?

Tune in to find out:

• What a circular economy really looks like - and how we can build it
• Why James believes it creates huge opportunities for business
• How Hege is leading IKEA in rewiring its business model
• Our guests' favourite examples of the circular economy (hint - one hails from the 80s…)

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Hege Sæbjørnsen, global circular strategy leader at Ingka Group, and James Pennington, circular economy lead at Deloitte UK Hosts: George Parrett & Ethan Worth Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett

Money shapes the world – from our savings accounts to big investment decisions. But many of us don't feel confident when it comes to money. And that's a shame. Because our decisions about money are one of the most powerful ways to ignite change. So where do we start?

Tune in to find out:

• What Anneka wishes she'd known about investing sooner
• The changes that Louise would like to see within the financial sector
• How we can all use our money as a tool to effect change
• Which surprising hobby our guests have in common

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Anneka Deva, leading force behind the Money Movers initiative, and Louise Brett, UK & North and South Europe Financial Services Innovation & FinTech Lead Partner at Deloitte

Hosts: Ethan Worth and Lizzie Elston

Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett

Our stories matter. Sharing them is one way in which we can change the world for the better. The trouble is, some stories are represented more than others. So, how do we change that? What can we do to be better allies, to create space and to ensure that all voices are heard?

Tune in to find out:

• What 'intersectionality' means and why it's important
• Why Antonia changed careers from zoologist to virtual reality specialist
• Tolu's advice on how to be a better ally
• Which 00s fashion choices our guests regret – and which ones they still stand by…

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Antonia Forster, Senior VR/AR Technical Specialist at Unity and Tolu Osinubi, senior manager in quality and test engineering at Deloitte UK

Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett

Beautiful green spaces. Vibrant high street. Good schools. Easy commutes. We all look for different things when weighing up where to live and work. Some parts of the UK have always been seen as more attractive than others. How can we change that? How could the plan to 'level up' get us there?

Tune in to find out…

· Why Andy and Jo can't see themselves living anywhere else but Manchester

· What Andy sees as the key markers of success when it comes to 'levelling up'

· Why Jo thinks creativity is key to attracting people to a place

· The best (and worst) gifts our guests have ever received

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and Jo Ahmed, partner and leader of the Global Employer Services practice at Deloitte, Manchester

Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston

Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett

Who doesn't love ticking things off the to do list? But when it gets a bit too long, overwhelm can take over. It's the same when we think of the planet too. We all want to make a difference, but it's hard to know where to start. So how do we make meaningful progress – and fast?

Tune in to find out…

• What Hannah learned about tough decisions over her 20+ years at Nike • The projects that are giving our guests real hope for the future • How Kat helps her clients understand which actions have the most impact • Who George describes at 'dangerously organised'…

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize and Kat Lampen, partner and sustainable finance lead at Deloitte

Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett

Lots of us spend (too) many hours sitting behind a computer for our jobs. And then spend our free time scrolling on our smartphones. Dropping concentration levels. Rising obesity rates. Mental health issues. It's clear that we'd all benefit from less time on our devices and more time being active. Technology isn't all bad though. There are some fantastic examples of technology being put to good use. It can help us cheer on our favourite sports stars. Inspire us to get off the couch. Monitor our heartbeat. Start working out in our own living room. Book a local tennis court in a few clicks. So what if technology isn't the problem - but part of the solution? Could it help more of us get into sport - and inspire a better society along the way? For this episode, we invited Scottish tennis coach Judy Murray (aka Andy and Jamie's mum) and Mark Lillie, our global technology strategy and transformation partner, to dive into this week's big question.

Tune in to find out…

• How technology is attracting different communities to new sports
• Why unexpected role models are the key to keeping young people engaged in sport
• Why a digital version of Judy Murray popped out of a tube of tennis balls
• What TV show our hosts and guests would like to live in (our infamous icebreaker strikes again…)

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations and to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Guests: Judy Murray and Mark Lillie

Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston

Technical support: Deloitte's Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett

For some, the arrival of the metaverse seems like the plot of a sci-fi blockbuster. It's exciting but it can be hard to grasp. Is it just the natural evolution of hybrid working? Or is it something more revolutionary? If used in the right way, does the metaverse have the potential to make work better?

Tune in to find out…

• What George and Ethan decided to wear in the metaverse
• How far away we are from integrating the metaverse into our lives
• How the metaverse can help people express themselves as they are
• What Ed and Aigerim are most excited to see come out of the metaverse

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

And if you prefer watching this episode, find us on YouTube to see what the metaverse is all about.

Guests: Aigerim Shorman, General Manager, Product + Engineering, Avatars & Identity at Meta and Ed Greig, Chief Disruptive Officer at Deloitte Digital

Hosts: George Parrett and Ethan Worth

Technical support: Deloitte Digital team and Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett

The power of conversation never ceases to amaze us.

After another fantastic year of honest and insightful discussions, we're feeling a little nostalgic here in The Green Room HQ.

11 episodes, 8 hours and 18 different guests this year. Taking us to 38 episodes, 25 hours and 76 different guests since launching the podcast. Phew!

For the last episode of the year, our hosts look back on their highlights. What are the most memorable moments? What have they learnt? What inspired them? And what are they looking forward to next year?

Tune in to find out…

• Our hosts' highlights of another year in The Green Room
• Which episode was George's favourite and why
• Who Lizzie's top guest was and what she learnt from her
• The answers to Ethan's special festive quiz!

Enjoyed the episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: Deloitte.co.uk/GreenRoomPodcasts

Hosts: George Parrett, Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth

Technical support: Deloitte's Creative Studio

Original music: Ali Barrett