The Artificial Human

When a Norwegian man idly asked ChatGPT to tell him something about himself he was appalled to read that according to the chatbot he'd been convicted of murdering two of his children and had attempted to kill a third. Outraged, he contacted Open AI to have the information corrected only to discover that because of how these large language models work its difficult if not impossible to change it. He's now taking legal action with the help of digital civil rights advocate. Its an extreme example of Large Language Model's propensity to hallucinate and confabulate, ie make stuff up based on what its training data suggests the most likely combination of words, however far from reality that might be.Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong find out exactly what your rights are and whether GDPR (general data protection regulations) are really fit for purpose in the age of genertive AI.Presenters: Aleks Korotoski & Kevin Fong Producer: Peter McManus Researcher: Jac Phillimore Sound: Gav Murchie

Kate Mosse, an award-winning author and advocate for copyright protection, shares her concerns about AI's unauthorized use of millions of books for training. Tanya Applin, a professor of intellectual property law, explores legal challenges regarding AI's outputs and data use. The conversation dives into the tension between technology and authors' rights, the potential for AI to reshape the publishing industry, and whether AI-generated books could ever truly replace human creativity. The future of authors, readers, and copyright law hangs in the balance.

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.

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

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.

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.

Mark Rodseth, an author and computer geek, shares his journey of creating a game using AI, emphasizing its potential in indie game development. Tommy Thompson, founder of AI and Games, discusses the broader impact of AI on the gaming industry, including the balance between innovation and ethical considerations. They explore AI’s role in enhancing character interactions and game worlds, while acknowledging the challenges faced by developers. The conversation highlights the exciting possibilities and limitations of AI technology in shaping future gaming experiences.

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

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.

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.