Intelligence Squared, written as Intelligence2 and also known as IQ2, is a media company that organises live debates and other cultural events around the world. It was founded in 2002 in London, where its head office is based, and it now also operates in the US, Australia, and Hong Kong. The debates, sometimes called IQ2 debates, are held in the traditional Oxford style, with as many as 2,500 people attending some events. It produces video and podcast versions of them on a regular basis on YouTube and other platforms.
History
Intelligence Squared was founded by two media entrepreneurs, Jeremy O'Grady and John Gordon, in 2002. In 2012, the company was bought by art consultant Amelie von Wedel, CEO of Serpentine Galleries Yana Peel, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia Executive General Manager David Legg. Hannah Kaye has been executive producer since 2006, and Matt McAllester became managing director in 2018. As well as debates, Intelligence Squared also hosts talks and interviews with such figures as President Jimmy Carter, Eric Schmidt, Sheryl Sandberg, Malala Yousafzai, Patti Smith, and Werner Herzog. It also stages discussions and panels. In 2006, Intelligence Squared US was established by the philanthropist and CEO of Delphi Financial Group Robert Rosenkranz through his foundation. It has hosted hundreds of debates across the US. Other Intelligence Squared licensees operate in Sydney and Hong Kong. The company has also had partnerships in Kiev, Athens, Israel, and Chile.
Debates
Intelligence Squared uses the traditional Oxford-style debating format. A motion is proposed, with two speakers arguing in favour and two against. Opening speeches are around 10 minutes in length. This is followed by Q and A from the floor and a lively dialogue between the speakers and short closing remarks. The audience is polled on their opinion both before and after the debate and the winning side is determined by who changed the most audience members' minds. Themes covered by the debates include "Foreign Policy", "Religion", "History & Social Policy", "Politics & Economics", "Science & Technology", "Art & Culture", and "Environment". Another strand is the "Cultural Combat" debates, in which two cultural figures are pitted against each other. These began in 2013 with "Verdi vs. Wagner", which was staged at London’s Royal Opera House with a sixty-piece live orchestra, Stephen Fry in the chair, and John Tomlinson singing Wotan.
Podcast and video
All Intelligence Squared events are recorded and released on the company’s YouTube channel and as part of a weekly podcast series which has more than a million followers. The company also records standalone podcasts with authors and other intellectuals.
Intelligence Squared on TV
Intelligence Squared debates have also been broadcast globally on BBC World.
In September 2006, Intelligence Squared US was launched by Robert Rosenkranz via The Rosenkranz Foundation. Their debates have aired on Bloomberg Television, and from 2006 to 2012, they were distributed by NPR. they are self-distributing via the Public Radio Exchange, and John Donvan of ABC News regularly moderates the debates.
