The Next Big Thing: A Megatrends Podcast

Épisodes

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  Space is becoming the world's next factory | The Next Big Thing 23.07.2026 48min

  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.
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  Dylan Patel on the infrastructure powering the AI revolution | The Next Big Thing 09.07.2026 1h 6min

  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.
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  Rare earths: rebuilding the supply chains powering the future | The Next Big Thing 25.06.2026 50min

  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.
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  The software behind the quantum revolution | The Next Big Thing 16.06.2026 52min

  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.
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  Quantum computing, AI and the future of problem solving 15.05.2026 58min

  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.
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  From EVs to data centres: the growing demand for lithium | The Next Big Thing 16.04.2026 58min

  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.
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  Europe’s structural shift: defence and infrastructure in focus | The Next Big Thing 09.04.2026 57min

  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.
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  Energy, geopolitics, and AI: the themes shaping 2026 | The Next Big Thing 16.03.2026 57min

  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
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  From chatbots to robots: the rise of physical AI | The Next Big Thing 27.02.2026 1h

  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.
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  How RENK is scaling mobility for the next generation of defence platforms | The Next Big Thing 12.02.2026 55min

  As defence platforms evolve, so do the systems that power them. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Alexander Sagel, CEO of RENK Group, about how the company is scaling its global operations to meet the demands of modern defence. From UGVs and tracked vehicles to naval propulsion systems, they explore how RENK is investing in mobility technologies, digital integration, and long-term production capacity to support defence programmes well into the 2040s.
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  How Indra is scaling for the new era of defence and autonomy | The Next Big Thing 22.01.2026 48min

  Defence budgets are rising, geopolitical tensions are high, and European governments are looking inward for critical technologies. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Miguel Forteza, CFO of Indra, about how the company is scaling to meet the needs of modern warfare and sovereignty. From cyber defence and AI integration to land systems, unmanned platforms and the launch of IndraMind, they discuss how Indra is transforming into a full-spectrum defence and aerospace innovator in Europe and beyond.
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  The case for quantum-secure infrastructure | The Next Big Thing 08.01.2026 54min

  Quantum computing is not a far-off science project. It is already reshaping how we think about encryption, security and the future of digital infrastructure. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Christopher Gannatti and Elvira Kuramshina speak with Sean Hackett and Chris Tam from BTQ, a company building full-stack post-quantum security solutions. They explore what is at stake for everything from stablecoins and smart contracts to satellites, automotive systems and payment rails, and why migrating to post-quantum cryptography needs to start today.
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  Fincantieri’s future fleet: underwater drones, motherships, and the next era of defence | The Next Big Thing 17.12.2025 1h 3min

  Shipbuilding may sound traditional, but it is anything but. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, host Mobeen Tahir speaks with Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, about how one of Europe’s largest shipbuilders is transforming into a defence innovation powerhouse. From underwater drones and autonomous systems to the evolution of the mothership concept, they discuss how Fincantieri is building a modern fleet and why European industrial capacity is now a matter of security, sovereignty and strategy.
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  Inside the AI economy: capex, chips, and the scale of what’s coming | The Next Big Thing 03.12.2025 59min

  Is the AI trade already priced in—or just getting started? In this solo episode of The Next Big Thing, Christopher Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree, breaks down what 2025 tells us about the real economics of AI. From Nvidia's explosive earnings growth to the massive capex plans of Meta, Microsoft, Oracle and Amazon, he looks at what AI infrastructure spending is really buying, how quickly it’s scaling, and what investors need to understand about chips, GPUs, model complexity and cost. If you're wondering where the AI narrative is headed next, this episode is your data-driven checkpoint.
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  Quantum computing explained: where we are, what’s next, and who’s leading the charge | The Next Big Thing 13.10.2025 1h 5min

  Quantum computing is advancing—but how close are we really to the breakthrough moment? In this solo episode of The Next Big Thing, Christopher Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree, unpacks the current state of quantum computing and what investors should watch in the years ahead. From fault-tolerant systems and logical qubits to quantum sensing, networking, and encryption, he breaks down key milestones and compares players like IonQ, D-Wave, and Rigetti. With IBM's 2029 roadmap as a guide, this is your deep-dive into one of the most important emerging technologies in the world.
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  A nuclear renaissance: uranium supply, data centres, and policy momentum | The Next Big Thing 22.09.2025 57min

  With the world’s demand for clean, reliable energy surging—particularly from data centres and AI infrastructure—nuclear power is back in focus. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti sit down with Andre Liebenberg, CEO of Yellow Cake PLC, to explore what’s fuelling the nuclear revival. From tight uranium supply and slow-moving mine timelines, to the rise of small modular reactors (SMRs) and shifting policy support, they unpack why investors are increasingly turning to uranium.
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  From policy to portfolio: how defence themes are evolving in 2025 | The Next Big Thing 29.08.2025 1h 1min

  What happens to Europe’s defence sector if peace returns to Ukraine? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti unpack the latest geopolitical developments and what they mean for the long-term outlook for defence stocks, military innovation, and investors. They discuss how the structural case for European rearmament remains intact—even if market reactions are short-term and headline-driven. From Rheinmetall’s order backlog and partnerships with Anduril and Volkswagen, to the rise of military tech companies like Leonardo, and the growing focus on cybersecurity and autonomy, this episode explores why defence is no longer just a trade—it’s a theme.
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  Inside the megatrends driving markets: AI, automation, energy, and infrastructure | The Next Big Thing 07.08.2025 57min

  Thematic investing is having a moment—and in 2025, it’s about more than just AI. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, Mobeen Tahir puts Christopher Gannatti, Global Head of Research at WisdomTree, in the hot seat to break down the megatrends shaping markets this year. From the scale of AI infrastructure and the rise of humanoid robots to Tesla’s reinvention, nuclear energy’s comeback, and the battle for data centre dominance, they unpack the major narratives every investor should be watching right now—and where the opportunities may lie.
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  Can AI help build a better map of the economy? | The Next Big Thing 16.07.2025 49min

  What if our understanding of markets was built on outdated classifications? In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Elvira Kuramshina sit down with Ye Tian, founder of Theia Insights, to explore how AI is reshaping the foundation of thematic investing. From company classification to portfolio construction, Ye shares how large language models can dynamically read and interpret corporate filings to deliver a real-time view of who does what in the global economy. They unpack Theia’s approach to industry classification, thematic factors, and Concept to Universe—and how this changes the game for investors.
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  Europe’s defence awakening: how Rheinmetall is scaling for a new era | The Next Big Thing 09.07.2025 59min

  Europe’s defence landscape is undergoing a historic transformation—and Rheinmetall is at the centre of it. In this episode of The Next Big Thing, hosts Mobeen Tahir and Christopher Gannatti are joined by Dirk Winkels, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, to explore how the company is responding to unprecedented demand, scaling production, and partnering across the continent. From tanks and drones to digitised vehicles and AI-powered munitions, they unpack Rheinmetall’s growing order book, its role in European defence industrial strategy, and the urgency driving collaboration with companies like Volkswagen, Leonardo, Nokia, and Anduril.