Make Me Smart Kimberly's final cheers on "Economics on Tap"
May 8, 2026
David Brancaccio, longtime Marketplace Morning Report host now covering long-term and future effects, joins for a farewell toast. They discuss shifting from short-term thinking to future-focused reporting. Topics include AI and fiscal risk, roles that safeguard long-term planning, and summer reading picks. Fun rapid-fire takes on tech, cuddly robots, and influencer courses add lively banter.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Ask What Today’s Choices Mean Decades From Now
- Do examine the future effects of current choices rather than only immediate outcomes.
- Brancaccio will ask questions like 'what will this do to society in 5, 10, 30 years?' to surface neglected consequences.
Robots Ate My Taxes Is The Next Big Series
- Brancaccio previewed a series tentatively called 'Robots Ate My Taxes' following his earlier 'Robots Ate My Job' reporting.
- He warned AI-driven job disruption could cut income-tax revenue and strain state and federal budgets.
AI Growth Can Still Create A Painful Transition
- Brancaccio observes that even if AI ultimately grows the economy, a disruptive transition could resemble the Great Recession for workers and public finances.
- He stresses planning now for medium-term unemployment and revenue shortfalls.
