Rethink

Tracy Dennis-Tiwary, CUNY professor on mental health, warns chatbots are psychological first aid not therapy. Ethan Mollick, Wharton professor, explores practical AI use in work and education. Rosalind Picard, MIT affective computing lead, discusses medical and emotional AI like EpiMonitor. Mike Wooldridge, Oxford AI theorist, explains transformers and LLM mechanics. They debate risks, uses, and where AI might realistically head.

The government has launched the Pride in Place scheme but is it possible to regenerate urban areas without leaving local people out?Most buildings have a certain shelf life before they need renovating. Social norms change and the ways people interact develop as society transforms with time. And local economies can change dramatically with once prosperous industrial areas falling silent, or tourist hot spots left behind by low-cost air travel. But is it possible to do this without being accused of gentrification? Swanky new buildings are introduced attracting people with money, house prices go up, expensive shops and cafes open up and before you know it, local people are priced out of the area. So are there ways to improve urban areas without leaving local residents behind? How much should any regeneration project acknowledge and honour local history? Isn’t attracting new people, with new ideas and new businesses a vital part of any regeneration project?Presenter: Ben Ansell Producer: Tom Gillett Editor: Lisa BaxterContributors: Dr Eilis Lawlor, Director of the research institute Just Economics. Patrick Murray, Executive Director of Policy and Public Affairs, the Northern Housing Consortium. Wayne Hemingway, designer. Martha Grekos, Barrister who specialises in planning and environmental law. Paul Chatterton, Professor of Urban Futures in the School of Geography at the University of Leeds.Rethink is a BBC co-production with the Open University.

People are living longer and delaying life's milestone moments. How does this affect our middle years and should we be paying more attention to people in this phase of their lives?For some, middle age can be a very challenging period in their lives. Today, people are postponing the milestones in life that traditionally signified a change in priorities. People are having children later in life meaning parents in their 40s or even 50s are looking after small children. Jobs for life no longer exist and housing is so expensive that many have no choice but to pay costly rents. All of these phenomena have given rise to the so called “sandwich Generation” – simultaneously looking after children but also elderly parents. Many experience multiple roles- worker, parent, carer, spouse and friend – and juggling the demands of all of those roles can lead to burnout. Academic literature on happiness has until recently suggested that our satisfaction with life as we age is hump shaped. When we're young, we're happy — and then that declines, bottoming out in middle age. As we pass middle age and get older, we get happier again. But is that still the case? Is mid-life a uniquely unhappy place to be?Presenter: Ben Ansell Producer: Tom Gillett Editor: Lisa BaxterContributors:Ben Akers - Co-founder and co-CEO of Talk Club David Blanchflower - Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire Jane Green - Professor of Political Science and British Politics at the University of Oxford Andrew G Marshall - Marital therapist, communications trainer and author Les Mayhew - Professor of statistics at Bayes Business School, City University, London Kate Muir - Journalist, author, and documentary filmmakerRethink is a BBC co-production with the Open University.

In this lively discussion, Michael Kill, Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association, addresses the alarming decline of night venues since the pandemic. Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music DJ and patron of the Music Venue Trust, highlights the essential role of grassroots venues in nurturing up-and-coming artists. Jane Darougar, a psychotherapist, explores how safety concerns and changing social habits impact young people's nightlife choices. The trio debates potential solutions to revive the nighttime economy and the cultural significance of venues.

Dr. Patricia Andrews-Ferron is a social psychologist whose research on implicit game theories sheds light on our zero-sum mindset. In this insightful discussion, she explains how this way of thinking inhibits cooperation and fuels mistrust. Dr. Andrews-Ferron connects zero-sum beliefs to societal issues like political disillusionment and mental health challenges, highlighting how these mindsets create conflict. She also explores generational shifts in zero-sum attitudes, revealing economic conditions that exacerbate these beliefs and the urgent need for fostering mutuality and social cohesion.

Aviation is far more difficult to decarbonise than other sectors of the economy, because kerosene is the perfect fuel for planes. It produces enough power to enable planes to fly, yet it is light enough for them to get off the ground and cross the world. Alternatives are thin on the ground; batteries are too heavy, clean hydrogen power is in its infancy, while Sustainable Aviation Fuel - or SAF - is expensive and in short supply. Although the Government has a "SAF-mandate", only 22% of all jet fuel supplied by 2040 will have to be sustainable. New airliners are more fuel-efficient than ever before, and both routes and air-traffic control are being optimised. But if growth outpaces efficiencies, greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise. And passenger demand is back at pre-pandemic levels. In 2024 the UK was the third largest market in the world for flights. In the absence of any immediate solution, should we fly less, if at all? How realistic and affordable are slower alternatives like the train? Could passengers be penalised for taking more than one return flight a year? And should the Government rather than individuals be taking responsibility for change? Presenter: Ben Ansell Producer: Ravi Naik Editor: Lisa BaxterContributors: Alice Larkin, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy in the School of Engineering at the University of Manchester. Dr Roger Tyers, UK Aviation specialist at Transport & Environment Yannick van den Berg, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Amsterdam Law School Tom Nevitt, project manager of Climate Perks Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive, Sustainable AviationRethink is a BBC co-production with the Open University

David Lee, a Professor of Atmospheric Science and Director at Manchester Metropolitan University, dives into aviation's reliance on fossil fuels and its environmental impact. He discusses how jet emissions contribute significantly to global warming, examining alternatives like hydrogen fuel. The impact of contrails on climate change is explored, alongside advancements in sustainable aviation fuel. Lee emphasizes the urgency for the aviation industry to innovate and adapt to meet net zero goals by 2050 while addressing consumer habits for a greener future.

The podcast dives into the controversial and multifaceted definition of terrorism, scrutinizing its historical context and media application. It contrasts the UK's broader legal definition with the US approach, revealing how these differences shape public perception. Insights on intelligence decision-making highlight the complexities of policing prescribed groups and their demonstrations. The discussion also touches on the moral dilemmas surrounding state-sponsored violence, particularly drone strikes, and emphasizes the political ramifications of labeling actions as terrorism.

Travel journalist Simon Calder shares his insights on the struggles facing popular holiday destinations amidst climate change and overtourism. He discusses the backlash from locals in places like Barcelona and Majorca, as they fight against tourism's impact on their economies and housing markets. Simon also tackles the idea of swapping traditional summer trips for cooler European locales, while exploring how extreme weather is forcing a re-evaluation of holiday norms. Are extended summer breaks really beneficial, or is it time for a change?

Yeling Tan, a Professor of Public Policy at Oxford, discusses the shifting dynamics between the UK and China amid global trade tensions. She highlights how the UK must navigate potential opportunities for collaboration, particularly in climate initiatives and electric vehicles. Tan addresses security concerns and the misconceptions surrounding China's military threat, urging for a nuanced understanding of the economic relationships at play. The conversation also touches on the importance of revising trade policies while managing national security and economic interests.