Future Tense

In a fascinating discussion, Sarah Marquardt, a freelance journalist, explores the rise and fall of solar road projects, highlighting their durability issues and poor energy yield. Quinn Myers, author of 'Google Glass,' delves into the product's hype, misreads of the market, and the public's backlash. Andrew Hawkins, a transportation editor, analyzes the Hyperloop’s ambitious promises versus its significant engineering challenges. Astrophysicist Dr. Paul Sutter discusses the dizzying costs and limited access of space tourism, noting its minimal research impact amid billionaires’ enthusiasm.

Neema Singh Guliani, a civil liberties lawyer, highlights the surveillance impacts of data harvesting. Cory Doctorow critiques platform monopolies and the concept of 'in-shitification' that limits user control. Professor Michael Mann sheds light on fossil fuel disinformation tactics that stall climate action, while Associate Professor James Dyke warns that 'net zero' could be a delaying tactic in true decarbonization efforts. Together, they reflect on the past and caution against complacency as we look to the future.

Megan Morrone, a tech journalist, reveals that AI-generated content has surged since ChatGPT, raising concerns about creativity and diversity. Dr. Collin Jennings explains how Google is shifting to AI summaries, potentially limiting traffic and complicating verification. Architect David George Holm discusses the importance of human-centered urban design and community spaces. Lastly, Dr. David Roberts shares insights on technology that enhances communication between humans and dogs, emphasizing the future potential of understanding animal signals.

Andrew Stokols, an Assistant Professor of Urban Studies, shares insights on the political experiment of Xiong'an, emphasizing its role in Xi Jinping's vision. Eliot Brown, a Wall Street Journal reporter, highlights Neom's ambitious plans and the daunting financial challenges it faces, including cost overruns and limited public response. Dr. Nicholas Wright, a neuroscientist, discusses how understanding brain mechanisms can prevent conflicts, advocating for self-awareness in leadership and military practices to enhance decision-making and cooperation.

Dr. Jean-Michel Claverie, an expert on ancient viruses, discusses how thawing permafrost could release dangerous pathogens, detailing the revival process in the lab. Dr. Christine Pratt explains her work at the European Virus Archive, emphasizing the need for global cooperation in pandemic preparedness. Meanwhile, Dr. Aaron Bernstein connects climate change to emerging infectious diseases, highlighting how habitat shifts increase spillover risks. Together, they stress the urgency of proactive measures to prevent future pandemics and the pivotal role of decentralized archives.

In this conversation, Dr. Shababa Selim, an expert on microplastics, discusses the challenges of tackling global plastic pollution following the failure of a treaty. Professor Paul Fennell shares insights on decarbonizing cement production and the complexities of implementing carbon capture technologies. Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Professor Jill Newby warns about the risks of seeking mental health advice from AI chatbots, noting their potential for misleading users. Dr. Pratik Sachdeva elaborates on how these chatbots reflect societal values and the dangers of relying on them for emotional support.

In an engaging discussion, Professors Neil Selwyn, Phillip Dawson, Rupert Wegerif, and Dragan Gasevic tackle education's evolving landscape in the wake of generative AI. They explore the initial panic in academia, the challenges of assessing student abilities when AI can produce work, and the push for critical thinking through dialogue. The experts propose that AI can act as a learning partner rather than a shortcut, while also warning against over-reliance. They emphasize the need for robust evidence on integrating AI in education, focusing on promoting deep learning over mere outputs.

Henry Farrell is a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University, discussing how social media distorts group beliefs and shapes political behavior. John Tasioulas, a philosopher and ethicist from Oxford, warns about AI's potential to undermine democratic values, emphasizing the need for participatory governance in tech. Additionally, Marcus Beard introduces "slopaganda," highlighting how low-quality, AI-generated political content can fragment media consumption and threaten shared democratic discourse.

Join experts Michael Milford, a robotics director at Queensland University of Technology, Milad Haghani, an urban resilience associate professor, and sociolinguist Abdesalam Soudi from the University of Pittsburgh. They dive into the current state and commercial uses of autonomous vehicles, touching on Tesla’s camera-based approach versus LiDAR systems. They discuss the social language of driving, how contextual cues can confuse AI, and consumer reluctance towards driver-assist technologies, revealing the complexities of acceptance and regulation in the evolving landscape of self-driving cars.

In this conversation, Dr. James Cohen, an expert on online language practices, delves into 'algospeak,' a creative linguistic response to content moderation. Philip Seargeant, a senior lecturer in Applied Linguistics, critiques the flawed idea of a universal language and discusses the limitations of AI translation. Dr. Sali Tagliamonte reveals how teenage women are at the forefront of language change, driving innovation through social media. Together, they explore the interplay between technology and language, highlighting its dynamic evolution.