Ismail Radwan returns to Personable for a wide ranging conversation on global economics, jobs, AI, geopolitics, and the future of growth.
Ismail is a Lead Economist at the World Bank focusing on the GCC and the broader MENAP region. He previously served as Senior Director for Economics and Investment Strategy at Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and spent over two decades at the World Bank.
In this episode, Ismail explains why jobs are the single most powerful tool for eradicating poverty, how AI is likely to reshape work without replacing entire economies, and why entrepreneurship matters more than individual projects. He also shares candid views on market cycles, speculative bubbles, youth unemployment, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and how countries balance values, development, and geopolitics.
This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in economics, policy, investing, global development, and how decisions made today will shape the next generation.
He discusses:
◽️ Why jobs are the foundation of prosperity and social stability
◽️ How the World Bank gathers data in fragile and conflict affected countries
◽️ AI, productivity, and why this cycle feels similar to past bubbles
◽️ What Saudi Arabia and the GCC are getting right with diversification
◽️ Entrepreneurship as the true driver of long term economic value
◽️ Youth unemployment, education gaps, and private sector readiness
◽️ Why markets detach from reality and how individuals should prepare
◽️ The role of values, communication, and dialogue in development
00:00 Introduction and Ismail’s background
01:40 Returning to the World Bank and MENAP focus
04:30 Why jobs matter more than any single policy
07:00 Data challenges in fragile states
11:00 AI, automation, and the future of work
18:50 Market cycles, bubbles, and historical parallels
26:00 Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s transformation
31:00 Security, governance, and social stability
36:00 Entrepreneurship and economic ecosystems
42:30 GCC investment priorities and diversification
49:00 Youth unemployment and education reform
53:40 Personal finance, markets, and risk management
59:30 One key takeaway for listeners
Ismail Radwan:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ismail-radwan2021/
Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/
◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/
Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111
Additional:
◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate
Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.
This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.
Support the show