Mining is becoming one of the first industries to deploy physical AI at scale, offering a glimpse into how AI could transform heavy industry.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Yudong Liu from Eacon about how physical AI is transforming the mining industry. We explore the rise of autonomous haul trucks, why mining has become an early adopter of AI at scale, and what it takes to build reliable autonomous systems in some of the world's harshest operating environments.

The conversation also covers the economics of autonomous mining, the role of safety and efficiency, how AI is reshaping industrial operations, and why mining could provide an early blueprint for the wider adoption of physical AI across heavy industry.

For decades, space has been about exploration, satellites and rockets. But what if its biggest opportunity is manufacturing?

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we explore how space is becoming a new frontier for industrial production. We speak with Jacques Fossey, CTO of BioOrbit, about how microgravity is opening up entirely new possibilities for manufacturing, particularly in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

We discuss why certain medicines can be manufactured more effectively in orbit, how falling launch costs are making commercial space manufacturing increasingly viable, and why the next generation of space stations could become automated production facilities. The conversation also explores the future of in-space research, the role of SpaceX and commercial launch providers, and how manufacturing beyond Earth could reshape industries ranging from healthcare to advanced materials.

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries around the world. But beneath every AI model sits an increasingly complex infrastructure stack powering it all.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Dylan Patel, founder of SemiAnalysis, about the technologies underpinning the AI revolution. From GPUs, memory and networking to data centres, energy and power infrastructure, the conversation explores how every layer of the AI stack is evolving to meet unprecedented demand.

We discuss the rise of AI agents, why CPUs are becoming increasingly important alongside GPUs, the changing role of memory and networking, and why power generation is emerging as one of the biggest constraints on AI growth. The episode also explores how companies across the semiconductor and infrastructure ecosystem are responding to one of the largest industrial buildouts in decades.

Rare earths are no longer just a niche mining story.

They sit at the centre of some of the most important trends shaping the global economy, from electric vehicles and robotics to AI infrastructure, drones and defence systems. Yet the real challenge is not simply finding these materials. It is building the supply chains needed to process them and turn them into the products modern industry depends on.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Ryan Corbett, Chief Financial Officer of MP Materials, about the race to rebuild rare earth supply chains. We explore China's dominance across mining, refining and magnet production, why NdPr is emerging as a critical bottleneck, and why demand is broadening well beyond electric vehicles. The conversation also examines the role of industrial policy, supply chain security and vertical integration in building a resilient materials ecosystem.

As breakthroughs continue across the industry, the focus is increasingly shifting towards how quantum technologies can be deployed to solve real-world problems.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we explore the software, algorithms and platforms helping drive the quantum revolution. The conversation examines how organisations are preparing for a quantum-enabled future, how hybrid quantum-classical workflows are emerging, and why software is becoming a critical bridge between quantum hardware and practical applications.

We discuss the growing momentum across the quantum ecosystem, the role of AI in accelerating quantum development, and how enterprises are building quantum-ready capabilities today. The episode also explores what investors should watch as the industry evolves and why software may play a central role in unlocking the next generation of quantum applications.

Quantum computing is often discussed as a future technology. But what if parts of that future are already here? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, we speak with Nathan Mason from BQP about the growing convergence between quantum computing, artificial intelligence and high performance computing. From cybersecurity and aerospace to logistics and space infrastructure, the conversation explores how quantum-inspired algorithms are already solving real-world problems today.

Lithium sits at the heart of the energy transition, but the story is evolving.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Ana Cabral, CEO of Sigma Lithium, to explore the shifting dynamics of the lithium market. From electric vehicles to data centres, they discuss how new sources of demand are reshaping the outlook for lithium.

They also dive into cost discipline, sustainable mining, and how Sigma Lithium has built one of the lowest-cost and most environmentally focused operations in the industry. From supply challenges to long-term demand trends, this conversation goes beyond prices to uncover what really drives the lithium market.

Europe is entering a new phase, one defined by defence spending, infrastructure investment and a renewed focus on strategic autonomy.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir is joined by Aneeka Gupta and Baoqi Zhu to unpack two of the most important themes shaping Europe today: defence and infrastructure. From the shift from budgets to execution in defence, to the growing investment gap in infrastructure, they explore how policy, geopolitics, and long-term demand are driving a structural transformation.

Thematic investing is being reshaped by three powerful forces: rising energy demand, intensifying geopolitics, and the rapid buildout of AI infrastructure.

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti discuss the key themes from our latest thematic outlook. They explore the concept of energy addition, the growing importance of nuclear power, the strategic role of rare earth metals, and how the global race for AI infrastructure is changing markets.

From defence spending and drone technology to the evolving outlook for software and semiconductors, this conversation connects the dots across the themes shaping markets in 2026.

For European investors, explore the outlook here: wisdomtree.eu/outlook

In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Blake Heimann to explore the rise of physical AI. From humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles to drones and industrial automation, they unpack what it means for AI to move beyond software and into physical systems.

They discuss the role of edge computing, Nvidia’s ecosystem, the economics of humanoids, battery constraints, supply chains, and the geopolitical race between the United States and China. If generative AI was the first chapter, physical AI may be the next.