We welcome back to Kopi Time Kishore Mahbubani, distinguished diplomat, academic, and writer on geopolitics. Our conversation, recorded in Mumbai, kicks off with India’s promise and challenges vis-à-vis the US and China, with the former turning increasingly protectionist and latter facing a myriad of domestic and external challenges. Mahbubani sees no room for emotion in geopolitics, expecting to see India follow its pragmatic instincts to pursue industrialisation with capital and technology from both superpowers. We then discuss Trump 2.0, the future of multilateralism, and Asia’s place in the great power rivalry. Always sharp and insightful.

We welcome back to Kopi Time Kishore Mahbubani, distinguished diplomat, academic, and writer on geopolitics. Our conversation, recorded in Mumbai, kicks off with India&rsquo;s promise and challenges vis-&agrave;-vis the US and China, with the former turning increasingly protectionist and latter facing a myriad of domestic and external challenges. Mahbubani sees no room for emotion in geopolitics, expecting to see India follow its pragmatic instincts to pursue industrialisation with capital and technology from both superpowers. We then discuss Trump 2.0, the future of multilateralism, and Asia&rsquo;s place in the great power rivalry. Always sharp and insightful.

Kopi time is a podcast series on insights from markets and economies around the world, hosted by Taimur Baig, Ph.D., Chief Economist of DBS Bank Ltd.

Kopi time is a podcast series on insights from markets and economies around the world, hosted by Taimur Baig, Ph.D., Chief Economist of DBS Bank Ltd.

Kopi Time podcast with Taimur Baig

DBS Economics & Strategy

Kopi Time E147 - Kishore Mahbubani on a Fragmenting World

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/316ced95-5a11-494d-875f-b279007cf41a/transcript

In a recent collaboration with Dr. Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products at AI Singapore, we published an article on redefining jobs and expertise in the AI era (link here). The process of writing the article entailed making several Large Language Models work for many hours, searching through hundreds of top journal articles, establishing key insights from the latest research findings, and carrying out economic analysis (link to our companion piece on the process is here). In this podcast, Leslie and I talk about deploying the ever-improving AI agents, along with the need for human judgment, emotional quotient, and leadership in work. As tasks become more automated and we become more productive, what is the role of educators, firms, and governments in embracing the upside while managing labour market disruptions? Leslie’s sharing on all this should allay the fears of those who see a dystopian future in the making.  

In a recent collaboration with Dr. Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products at AI Singapore, we published an article on redefining jobs and expertise in the AI era (link <a href="https://bt.sg/g/Cxa4">here</a>). The process of writing the article entailed making several Large Language Models work for many hours, searching through hundreds of top journal articles, establishing key insights from the latest research findings, and carrying out economic analysis (link to our companion piece on the process is <a href="https://bt.sg/g/8RBz">here</a>). In this podcast, Leslie and I talk about deploying the ever-improving AI agents, along with the need for human judgment, emotional quotient, and leadership in work. As tasks become more automated and we become more productive, what is the role of educators, firms, and governments in embracing the upside while managing labour market disruptions? Leslie&rsquo;s sharing on all this should allay the fears of those who see a dystopian future in the making. &nbsp;

Kopi Time E174 - Future of Jobs and Tasks with AI Singapore's Leslie Teo

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/e81a68f8-bc77-4ab9-ad32-b4120084471e/transcript

Dr. Khor Hoe Ee, presently with Nanyang Technology University, with a long career in multilateral institutions and central banking, returns to Kopi Time. We begin with his recent writings, part of which has analysed the factors underlying the better-than-expected performance of the global economy in 2025, particularly Asia. Dr. Khor explains the role of the AI spending cycle, a powerful green transition dynamic, and an accommodating macro environment as key factors. We then talk about Singapore’s shock absorption capacity and the challenges with respect to the ongoing AI wave. We go over Singapore’s social imperative for inclusive growth and the policy menu. We conclude with the challenges facing Asean.

Dr. Khor Hoe Ee, presently with Nanyang Technology University, with a long career in multilateral institutions and central banking, returns to Kopi Time. We begin with his recent writings, part of which has analysed the factors underlying the better-than-expected performance of the global economy in 2025, particularly Asia. Dr. Khor explains the role of the AI spending cycle, a powerful green transition dynamic, and an accommodating macro environment as key factors. We then talk about Singapore&rsquo;s shock absorption capacity and the challenges with respect to the ongoing AI wave. We go over Singapore&rsquo;s social imperative for inclusive growth and the policy menu. We conclude with the challenges facing Asean.

Kopi Time E173 - Dr. Khor Hoe Ee on Asia's Resilience and the Road Ahead

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/aaca66de-908d-48ea-8c4a-b40800bf0128/transcript

Dr. Shekhar Aiyar, Director and CEO of Indian Centre for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), returns to Kopi Time for a wide-ranging discussion on India. We begin with the clear, foundational tailwinds in place that could propel India’s economic growth higher in the coming years, followed by factors that could hold back growth, especially onerous regulation, insufficient spending on R&D, labour market rigidity, and complexities associated with state-centre relationship. We then move on to public finances, which is presently characterised by favourable debt dynamics and a consolidating fiscal stance. Building on that, we focus on budgetary allocations in key areas of the economy. Shekhar then touches on external matters, including the rupee, trade deals, and India’s calculus vis-à-vis China. A must-listen for India watchers.  

Dr. Shekhar Aiyar, Director and CEO of Indian Centre for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), returns to Kopi Time for a wide-ranging discussion on India. We begin with the clear, foundational tailwinds in place that could propel India&rsquo;s economic growth higher in the coming years, followed by factors that could hold back growth, especially onerous regulation, insufficient spending on R&amp;D, labour market rigidity, and complexities associated with state-centre relationship. We then move on to public finances, which is presently characterised by favourable debt dynamics and a consolidating fiscal stance. Building on that, we focus on budgetary allocations in key areas of the economy. Shekhar then touches on external matters, including the rupee, trade deals, and India&rsquo;s calculus vis-&agrave;-vis China. A must-listen for India watchers. &nbsp;

Kopi Time E172: ICRIER head Shekhar Aiyar on key aspects of India’s outlook

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/f6ad7490-363d-4f1f-8948-abf300412a6f/clips/e87d333c-4f9e-4e01-bdf3-b3fb00a92572/transcript

Kopi Time E147 - Kishore Mahbubani on a Fragmenting World

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