Sophie Bushwick

Sophie Bushwick, Senior News Editor at New Scientist, and Sandor Mulsow, a marine geologist at Austral University, dive into critical issues in science today. They discuss proposed NASA budget cuts that could cripple key projects while diverting funds to lunar and Martian missions. Meanwhile, an executive order fast-tracks deep-sea mining, raising environmental and geopolitical concerns. Mulsow highlights the potential impact on marine ecosystems, framing a larger debate on our ethical responsibilities toward ocean health.

Sophie Bushwick, Senior News Editor at New Scientist, joins to discuss the detection of a record-breaking neutrino from the Mediterranean, shedding light on the universe's mysteries. The conversation expands to groundbreaking research on Earth's inner core dynamics and innovative wastewater monitoring for public health. They also explore the latest in supersonic space travel technology that reduces sonic booms, alongside amusing love stories from the scientific community, including one about a serendipitous lab partnership that bloomed into a lasting romance.

Sophie Bushwick, Senior News Editor at New Scientist, dives into the hidden environmental costs of artificial intelligence. She uncovers the staggering energy demands of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and the misconceptions surrounding data centers, which extend beyond mere cloud storage. Sophie discusses how AI impacts electricity demand, potentially destabilizing North America's grid, and wrestles with its dual role in both supporting fossil fuels and complicating climate solutions. It's a riveting exploration of AI's environmental dilemma.