Keen On America
Andrew Keen
Nobody asks sharper or more impertinent questions than Andrew Keen. In KEEN ON, Andrew cross-examines the world’s smartest people on politics, economics, history, the environment, and tech. If you want to make sense of our complex world, check out the daily questions and the answers on KEEN ON.
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show, please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America – keenon.substack.com
Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best-known technology and politics broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running show How To Fix Democracy and the author of four critically acclaimed books about the future, including the international bestselling CULT OF THE AMATEUR.
Keen On is free to listen to and will remain so. If you want to stay up-to-date on new episodes and support the show, please subscribe to Andrew Keen’s Substack. Paid subscribers will soon be able to access exclusive content from our new series Keen On America – keenon.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 26, 2026 • 30min
Who Needs Goliaths? Don't Write Off Europe's Army of Davids
John Thornhill, FT innovations editor and Sifted founder, maps a resilient and diffuse European tech scene. He highlights rising hubs from Stockholm to Lisbon. He explores deep tech, harmonized regulation as a scaling advantage, and the continent’s struggle with late-stage capital. He argues Europe may carve a unique path beyond chasing Silicon Valley giants.
Jan 25, 2026 • 28min
Excited and Terrified: The Atlantic CEO on Journalism's AI Reckoning
Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and former Wired editor, brings tech journalism savvy. He explores AI as a powerful reporting tool and a threat to publishers. He talks copyright battles, whether AI firms will pay for original work, and how journalism might adapt through licensing, subscriptions, and new business strategies.
Jan 24, 2026 • 35min
64% and Counting: America's Venture Capital Dominance
Gene (Jeanne) Teare, Crunchbase data analyst tracking global venture capital trends. She breaks down how US funding surged back to about 64% of global VC in 2025. Talks contrast between European anxiety and US momentum. Discusses massive foundation-model financing and Europe’s deep tech opportunities.
Jan 24, 2026 • 18min
From the Soil Up: Regenerating the Economy
Jan-Gisbert Schultze, a venture capitalist focused on regenerative agriculture and founder of the Regenerate Forum, discusses reconnecting people and economies with nature. He highlights soil carbon loss and the symbolic power of soil. He describes transforming the Lake Constance region into a 'climate landscape' and outlines local strategies like farmer retraining and relocalized food systems.
14 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 40min
Three Minutes to Midnight: How Europe is Running out of Time
Kenneth Cukier, Deputy Executive Editor at The Economist and co-author of Big Data, shares an urgent message about Europe's precarious situation. He likens the decline of liberal democracy to Hemingway's metaphor of bankruptcy—slowly, then suddenly. Cukier discusses the potential for technology to reshape democratic processes and protect rights, while cautioning against oversimplified solutions. He warns that Europe stands at a tipping point, needing bold investments and policies to avoid a cultural and political collapse.
Jan 21, 2026 • 29min
Why Today's AI Boom Is No Dot-Com Bubble
Bill Gross, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Idealab, discusses the current AI boom's distinction from the dot-com bubble. He highlights a 'Napster moment' in AI, stressing the need for accountability in content use. Gross advocates for a revenue-sharing model akin to Spotify, aiming to fairly compensate creators whose works enhance AI capabilities. Additionally, he addresses the importance of corporate responsibility in AI safety and the potential for new job roles through human-AI collaboration.
Jan 20, 2026 • 25min
Is It Game Over For Europe?
Carl Benedikt Frey, an economic historian and Oxford researcher, shares his concerns about Europe's competitiveness in the tech landscape. He emphasizes the urgent need for a true single market for services to avoid stagnation. Frey critiques Europe's delayed response to digital innovation and points out internal trade barriers as a major obstacle. He provides a hopeful yet cautious outlook, insisting that with the right political will, Europe can still lead. He also discusses the necessity for harmonization and how historical patterns of decline may inform current strategies.
Jan 19, 2026 • 24min
Why Europe Must Learn the Language of Power
Marta Mucznik, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, dives into Europe's strategic challenges, emphasizing the need for the continent to relearn the language of power. She argues that the Ukraine invasion has sparked a crucial reevaluation of European security policies. Mucznik insists that effective military deterrence must support Europe's value-based diplomacy and explores innovative ways for the EU to bolster its defense capabilities. She calls for visionary leaders to unite Europe amid rising geopolitical tensions, warning that without change, the gap between Europe and the US-China sphere will only deepen.
Jan 18, 2026 • 39min
The 1984 NYC Subway Vigilante: Self Defense or Racial Rage?
Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst and author of *Five Bullets*, dives deep into the controversial 1984 NYC subway shooting by vigilante Bernie Goetz. He discusses the multifaceted narratives surrounding the case, highlighting how perceptions shift based on race. Williams explores the media's role in shaping public fear, the implications of racial politics, and contrasts legal outcomes with moral justice. He also reflects on the enduring impact of this event on contemporary discussions about vigilantism and race in America.
Jan 17, 2026 • 42min
The Myth of Willpower: It's not YOU. It's THEM
Nick Chater, a behavioral scientist and co-author of *It’s On You*, argues that the myth of willpower distracts from systemic issues. He critiques the nudge theory, suggesting that personal responsibility is often a cover for corporate profit. Chater highlights how industries profit from blaming individuals for social problems like obesity. He advocates for political action over self-discipline and warns about AI governance needing public oversight. The discussion emphasizes the importance of reducing corporate influence in politics to achieve true democratic change.
