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The Artificial Human

Latest episodes

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Feb 12, 2025 • 28min

Can AI Save Darth Vader?

Aleks and Kevin step into the world of actors “banking” their voices for use after death. With the help of AI your favourite actor can continue to appear on screen for years after they've gone. But what does that really mean? What’s a performance without the actor behind it? Benjamin Field is the producer behind the AI Sir Michael Parkinson podcast, where the late interviewer talks to new guests thanks to AI technology. Benjamin explains how the technology works, and the ethical concerns that it poses. Plus he describes how he sees the technology as a way to create more work for actors. Impressionist Alistair McGowan has portrayed everyone from Alfred Hitchcock to John Major to Boris Johnson. He explains that a voice is more than sound waves, but about soul, character and personal strength. Can those elements be replicated by AI? And do we want them to be? Produced by Emily Esson Researched by Juliet Conway A BBC Audio Scotland production.
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Feb 3, 2025 • 29min

What Is Trump's AI Agenda?

Ai is at a turning point, Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong ask what direction it will take and who is advising the most powerful man in the world on what vision of AI to pursue?There are numerous camps vying for President Trump's favour over how to develop Ai. There are those demanding that it be allowed to run free without the burden of innovation stifling regulation. Others still cling to the notion that the risks of rampant Ai still need to be curbed, while a third camp want to see 'big tech' working even closer with government to harness the power of this new 'wonder technology' and beat China both economically and in cyber security.Who will be listened to, and what does it mean for the rest of a world that's a good deal more sceptical about the potential of Ai and its risks? Andrew Strait Associate Director at the Ada Lovelace Institute helps Aleks and Kevin understand the various characters pushing their Ai agendas, while Nobel prize winning economist Daron Acemoglu explains the possible consequences of what's being proposed and how it is only a very narrow view of what Ai could be and how it could benefit mankind.Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong Producer: Peter McManus Researcher: Juliet Conway Sound: Sean Mullervy
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Jan 29, 2025 • 29min

Should AI have a 'kill switch'?

Dr. Kanta Dihal, an Associate Fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, and Professor Michael Rovatsos, an AI safety expert at Edinburgh University, dive into the myths and realities of AI. They discuss how societal fears and sci-fi narratives shape public perceptions, often overshadowing real challenges. The conversation touches on the importance of proactive AI governance and the need for cautious optimism. They also explore the complexities of achieving true artificial general intelligence and the critical issues surrounding today’s AI advancements.
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Jan 22, 2025 • 29min

Will AI Eat Itself?

Julia Kemper, a data scientist at NYU who specializes in AI model outputs, and Shayne Longpre, a PhD candidate at MIT leading the Data Provenance Initiative, discuss the alarming concept of 'model collapse.' They explore how AI's reliance on AI-generated data risks homogenous and bland outputs. Kemper highlights the challenges in improving AI performance under such conditions, while Longpre emphasizes the crucial role of human curation in enhancing AI training data quality. Together, they envision a future where human creativity revitalizes AI’s capabilities.
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Jan 15, 2025 • 29min

Can AI Level Up Video Games?

You don’t need to be a diehard gamer to realise video games have long been used as a yard stick to measure how far technology has come. From Pong and Space Invaders, right the way to Minecraft and Fallout, as the technology has advanced, so have the games. Pushing new boundaries and creating previously unimaginable worlds and experiences. But how will AI revolutionise the world of gaming itself, both for those who develop games and those who play them? Are we on the cusp of a huge leap forward? Or are the changes on the horizon more evolutionary than revolutionary?Aleks and Kevin chat to one man who has been using AI to develop his own game from scratch, and hear from an industry insider about what the big companies are doing, and why advances in gaming may not be as dramatic as you might expect. Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong Producer: Emily Esson and Elizabeth Ann Duffy Mixed by: Sean Mullervy
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Jan 8, 2025 • 29min

Can AI Solve A Murder?

Can you imagine how quickly Poirot could have solved a crime, if only he’d had access to AI software? Following a fictional murder case provided by real life police officer, Aleks and Kevin try to unravel how AI is already used in crime fighting, and what the cutting edge uses might be. Ruth Morgan, Professor of Crime and Forensic Sciences, explains how the ability of AI to crunch huge volumes of data could lead to new forms of evidence being used in criminal trials. Aleks and Kevin also chat to Rudi Fortson KC about the legal ramifications of AI sourced evidence. Will it stand up in court? Is the UK judiciary ready for the influx of AI evidence? Or has it been used for years, without our knowledge? Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong Producer: Emily Esson Researcher: Juliet Conway Mixed by: Tim Heffer and Sean Mullervy
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Oct 30, 2024 • 29min

Will AI Control the World's Money?

Dave Cliffe, a pioneering computer science professor, and Joe Saluzzi, an equity trader and author, delve into the future of trading shaped by AI. They discuss how algorithmic trading has revolutionized the market, potentially replacing human traders. Cliffe shares his early experiences with AI in finance, while Saluzzi emphasizes the vital role of human intuition in assessing market dynamics. Both highlight the risks of automated systems, including market volatility, and the necessity for regulation to safeguard against potential financial crises.
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Oct 23, 2024 • 29min

Can we keep AI out of human only spaces?

In this intriguing discussion, Tobin South, a MIT Media Lab researcher known for his expertise in CAPTCHA technology, and Henry Ida, a visiting researcher at Cambridge focused on deepfakes, tackle the escalating challenge of distinguishing humans from bots online. They dive into the manipulative capabilities of AI, the evolution of CAPTCHA systems, and the urgent need for new verification methods. The conversation also addresses the critical role of digital identity and trust in an increasingly AI-driven world, leaving listeners questioning the future of online interaction.
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Oct 16, 2024 • 29min

Can AI debunk conspiracy theories?

Conspiracy theories—once confined to fringe communities—have entered the mainstream.Social media has supercharged outlandish narratives, giving them an air of legitimacy through viral sharing. With generative AI now capable of producing hyper-realistic images, videos, and audio, the boundaries between fact and fiction are more blurred than ever. It feels almost inevitable that AI will further amplify conspiracy theories in public and online discourse.But perhaps the future isn’t quite so bleak. Aleks and Kevin explore how AI could actually help debunk conspiracy theories and combat the flood of misinformation online.They speak with the team behind 'Debunk-bot', an AI chatbot that has shown remarkable success in shifting people’s beliefs around conspiracy theories. They also talk to Mick West, who has spent decades debunking falsehoods, about how AI might help reduce the impact of dangerous conspiracies—and what role humans must play in guiding those who find their way out of conspiracy rabbit holes with the help of a bot.Join Aleks and Kevin as they investigate how AI can help us separate fact from fiction. And if you have a question about AI, email us at theartificialhuman@bbc.co.uk.
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Oct 9, 2024 • 29min

Can AI Save the NHS?

Darian Bold, Head of Elective Care at NHS England, discusses innovative approaches to patient journeys, focusing on AI's transformative potential. Jess Morley, a data ethicist from Yale, emphasizes the need for responsible AI usage in healthcare. They dive into how AI can alleviate NHS challenges, especially in stroke diagnosis and treatment. The conversation highlights the importance of human oversight in tech integration and the ethical considerations that must guide AI development to improve patient outcomes. Can AI truly revolutionize healthcare?

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