The World, the Universe and Us

Episode 355

An entire pig’s brain has been preserved after death, using a technique that will keep the structure of the brain intact - potentially for hundreds of years.

Scientists say they will offer the treatment to terminally ill humans, in the hopes that one day, in the distant future, we’ll be able to reconstruct their minds and bring them back to life. Because of the speed at which scientists need to preserve the brain tissue, the method will only work on people who opt in for assisted dying.

But will we ever be able to digitally upload and reanimate a brain, or is this just offering false hope to those already suffering? And if we do develop the technology, what kind of world will these people wake up to?

To discuss this new method, the ethics and science of consciousness, Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by Alexandra Thompson and Thomas Lewton.To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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Episode 354

Women are being erased from AI technologies. When world-changing technology is built primarily by men, the impact for women is hugely damaging.

This was the focus of a recent conference at the Royal Society in London. Panellists discussed how women are being left out of this major tech revolution, with Silicon Valley becoming increasingly hostile towards them.

And as the conversation increasingly shifts to the existential risks of artificial intelligence, some argue the focus is intentionally being shifted away from making this tech more inclusive. But as AI is set to completely transform how we work, educate our children and treat diseases, what happens when women are cut out of the equation?

AI gender biases already show up in our datasets and chatbots…so can we fix the current models, or is it time we start all over again?

Penny Sarchet discusses the issue with Catherine de Lange, who was at the conference. Also hear from Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of Humane Intelligence.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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Episode 353

The world might feel dark right now, but life is actually getting better, rapidly. From the rise of feminism and antiracism to environmental movements and shifting understandings of gender, the Western world looks nothing like it did 75 years ago. 

Yet despite so many historic victories for rights and ideas in recent times, it often feels like we’re living in dark times - with progress that’s stalling or going backwards.

In her new book, The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change, writer and activist Rebecca Solnit explores how for decades social movements reshaped the world in ways we often fail to notice. Solnit argues that we are witnessing nothing less than the slow dismantling of an old worldview. And it’s time we pay attention. 

Rowan Hooper speaks to Solnit about the power of a good story, our growing understanding of the interconnectedness of nature and humanity - and why recognising progress may be essential to shaping the future.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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Episode 352

Notwithstanding President Trump’s efforts to slow the growth of renewable energy, the US/Israeli attack on Iran has given the green revolution a huge boost.

In response to the war in Iran, the Islamic Republic has stopped almost all traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil and one-fifth of seaborne gas supplies pass. They’ve also struck oil and gas fields with drones and missiles.

This has given countries a much-needed wake-up call, showing just how precarious it is to rely so heavily on foreign states for energy security.

As the cost of oil jumps from $70 to more than $100 a barrel, many countries are looking to produce more energy closer to home, accelerating plans to transition to clean and renewable energy.

Rowan Hooper and Alec Luhn discuss whether this is the beginning of the end for fossil fuels. Also hear from Pavel Molchanov from Raymond James & Associates and Sam Butler-Sloss from Ember.

Chapters

(00:00) Intro - War in Iran speeds up the clean energy transition

(00:59) A precedent set by the Ukraine/Russia war

(02:27) Asia’s wake-up call

(03:20) Are smaller countries pivoting to renewables already?

(04:24) An energy security issue

(07:16) Why oil is being impacted more than gas

(08:56) Could China win big from this?

(14:17) The impact on nuclear energy

(15:57) When will countries give up fossil fuels for good?

(18:05) The political will is shifting

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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Episode 351

Artificial intelligence is starting to solve mathematical theorems better than humans. Mathematicians say AI is now an existential threat to their work. As one professor puts it; “We are running out of places to hide.”

From winning gold medals at mathematics competitions, to solving previously unanswered Erdős problems, multiple AI achievements have come together recently to exceed all expectations of its capabilities.

Find out just how quickly the tech is advancing, how we can tell the AI isn’t just hallucinating answers, why it may help us formalise all of mathematics - and whether it will really put humans out of a job.

And 10 years on since Google’s AlphaGo AI first beat human Go master Lee Sedol, we reflect on that epic moment and hear from Chris Maddison who saw it all unfold.

Rowan Hooper is joined by New Scientist’s Alex Wilkins to discuss “one of the most remarkable stories” he’s ever worked on.

Chapters

(00:00) Intro - The biggest moment in the history of mathematics

(01:10) The many problems AI is now solving

(04:11) Are these models similar to ChatGPT or Claude?

(05:09) Will AI help us advance the field of mathematics?

(07:28) How can we check AI’s answers - are they just hallucinations?

(10:51) Why it’s important to “formalise” maths

(12:03) Will we become too reliant on this AI?

(13:00) 10 years on since AI beat Lee Sedol at Go

(14:54) AI creativity: The famous ‘Move 37’

(16:50) How it felt to watch this epic moment

(19:21) How AlphaGo led to the LLMs of today

(20:25) Are regular chatbots becoming more creative?

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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