Business Daily

Can corporations be repurposed to prioritise society and the environment over profit? Ed Butler discusses the question with BBC Business Editor Simon Jack, who says he sees signs of real change. With a climate emergency upon us, many people in business and finance appear to be having a genuine change of heart about economist Milton Friedman's famous maxim that the corporation's sole purpose should be to maximise shareholder value. Perhaps corporations have other responsibilities too?Among the capitalists talking this new talk are Stephen Badger, chairman of the giant family-owned US confectionary company Mars, and Alan Jope, chief executive of Anglo-Dutch consumer goods conglomerate Unilever.(Picture: A cute piggy bank sits astride a large pile of coins; Credit: Petmal/Getty Images)

Head scientist Rohit Prasad discusses the intelligence of virtual assistant Alexa and the limitations of AI. Creator David Hanson talks about the glamorous android Sophia's capabilities and societal impact. The podcast delves into human-machine interaction, evolving robot designs, and family dynamics with AI assistants.

Dr Ali Rezai, neuroscientist, explores using brain probes for treating conditions like epilepsy and drug addiction. They discuss the potential of brain probes for reading minds and enhancing human capabilities, alongside ethical concerns. The podcast also delves into the integration of brain implants in human life, brain stimulation technologies for addiction treatment, and the ethical implications of companies like Facebook entering the realm of brain-connecting devices.

German entrepreneurs Daniel Wiegand and Alexander Zosel discuss the future of flying taxis, highlighting their sleek and battery-powered designs. The podcast explores the safety, affordability, and regulatory challenges of integrating pilotless aircraft into urban transportation systems.

Exploring the use of big data in smart cities, from China's social credit system to Toronto's sensor technology. Discussing the balance between technological advancements and privacy concerns, featuring interviews with experts and activists.

Guillem Camprodon and Michael Donaldson discuss how smart sensors can improve citizens' lives in Barcelona with noise detectors. They highlight the importance of involving residents in data collection. The podcast also debates the balance between user data collection for public services and privacy concerns in smart cities. Tech consultant Charles Reed Anderson cautions about the unrealistic expectations surrounding smart cities while Sandra Baer emphasizes the importance of keeping humans central to these efforts.

Guest Jonathan Reekie discusses how artists explore the effects of a 24/7 lifestyle on behavior and sleep. Douglas Coupland shares how he guards his sleep for creativity, remembers brain rewiring from the internet. Podcast delves into the impact of technology on human perception of time and brain rewiring.

Researchers Carl Ohman and Dr. Elaine Kasket discuss the complexities of managing digital data after death, including the emotional impact of maintaining 'ghost accounts' and the legal and ethical considerations of digital data ownership. They also explore the challenges of accessing deceased individuals' data on social media platforms and the importance of respecting privacy and dignity in the digital afterlife.

The podcast discusses tax evasion in Bolivia and Greece, highlighting the challenges of taxing the informal economy. It questions the focus on income tax over wealth, land, and capital taxation, calling for global tax reform.

Caroline Criado Perez discusses gender bias in data collection, highlighting the lack of female crash test dummies. Lotta Jakobsson from Volvo talks about the need for women's safety in cars. The BBC's Stephanie Hegarty explores making Barcelona more women-friendly.