This episode explores the selection of Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, examining his background and potential impact on the Catholic Church, and the complexities of export controls on AI chips in the context of the US-China technology race, ending with an obituary of Martin Graham, the founder of the Longborough Festival Opera. John Hooper discusses Pope Leo XIV's potential to bridge divides within the Church, balancing tradition with progressive values, while also noting his conservative views on certain social issues. Against the backdrop of a challenging global landscape, Pope Leo's immediate concerns include the Vatican's finances, the clerical sex abuse crisis, and the Church's role in international peace efforts. More significantly, Shailesh Chitnis analyzes the difficulties in enforcing export controls on AI chips, highlighting how China circumvents restrictions through data center leasing and smuggling, and proposes focusing on restricting access to chip-making tools rather than the chips themselves. The episode concludes with Anne Rowe's tribute to Martin Graham, detailing his journey from bricklayer to opera house founder, emphasizing his unwavering faith in his artistic vision and his transformation of a humble chicken shed into a cultural landmark.
