AI Decoded

The AI Decoded team explores the fight to protect artists from having their work mined by AI without consent. After a major UK government consultation, the message is clear: almost all respondents want stronger copyright protections and mandatory licensing for music, books, films, and more. Meanwhile virtually no respondents backed the government's original tech-friendly plan to let companies use creative works unless artists opt out. With the stakes high and the debate heating up, this episode dives into the clash between technology and artistry-and what it means for the future of creativity.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the world, and fueling a fierce competition for chips that power it. The United States and China are locked in a high-stakes battle for dominance in advanced AI technology. In a dramatic twist, US President Donald Trump has authorised chip giant Nvidia to sell its cutting-edge technology to approved Chinese customers, a decision that could reshape the global tech landscape. AI Decoded is joined by Chris Miller, renowned historian and author of Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology. He discusses the decades-long battle to control one the world's most critical resources, semi-conductors.

The race to unlock the secret of a longer life is officially on - and two brilliant millennial sisters in a Cambridge lab might be closer than anyone else. For decades, the world's brightest scientists and wealthiest entrepreneurs have chased the holy grail of longevity, pouring billions into research. Carina Kern (31) and Serena Kern-Libera (37) join presenter Christian Fraser and AI Decoded co-host Stephanie Hare to discuss their groundbreaking AI powered research that could rewrite the rules of aging. Backed by billionaire investors, NASA, the UK government, and top scientists, their work on cell death could be the key to humanity's first true anti-aging drug. Are we on the brink of a revolution in human lifespan?

Disney star Calum Worthy's AI start-up 2wai claims to help memorialize loved ones by creating interactive digital clones of the deceased. But is this innovation comforting - or dystopian? With the recent AI app going viral and sparking global debate, the AI Decoded team dives into the controversy, ethics, and future of 'talking to the dead.

AI Decoded explores whether the current AI boom is a bubble or a genuine technological shift. We hear from Google CEO Sundar Pichai who warns every company would be impacted if the AI boom were to go bust, and we also speak to Financial Times AI Editor Madhumita Murgia, who gives the counter argument from Nvidia's Jensen Huang that talks of an imminent AI crash are overblown.

Around the world, companies are racing to deploy AI agents - autonomous systems poised to transform how we work, create and defend ourselves. But as the rush accelerates, AI Decoded speaks to cybersecurity experts who warn of a chilling risk: these powerful tools could become weapons in the hands of hackers. Can we harness AI safely before the threat spirals out of control?

In a world exclusive for AI Decoded and BBC News, actor and comedian Sir Stephen Fry joins the renowned Canadian computer scientist and 'Godfather of AI' Yoshua Bengio to discuss their shared concerns over the development of advanced AI systems, which may or may not align with human values. Presenter Christian Fraser and AI Decoded co-host Stephanie Hare also discuss with Stephen and Yoshua the rise of AI chatbots and whether people should be forming emotional attachments with machines.

AI Decoded investigates the integration of artificial intelligence and drone technology and the real world impact happening today. AI powered drones are now used across a whole swathe of industries, whether it be on the battlefield, for agricultural purposes, search and rescue missions, delivery and logistics, the list goes on and on. In this episode, AI correspondent Marc Cieslak meets with UK Defence contractor BAE Systems who have recently developed a prototype AI drone that can be controlled using voice commands. In an exclusive for AI Decoded we trial the drone and discuss the implications this new AI development could mean for everyone.

AI Decoded is joined by AI safety guru Connor Leahy, who helps to explain and explore the unintended risks and also benefits of unregulated artificial intelligence. The BBC's AI correspondent Marc Cieslak also highlights the new technological achievement in how AI can generate new immersive worlds guided by a simple computer prompt. He speaks to the leading developers from Google DeepMind as well as new UK/US AI startup Odyssey.

OpenAI releases its latest video generation model, which it claims is more physically accurate, realistic and controllable than prior systems. While the launch has attracted much fanfare, OpenAI's latest tool is drawing praise and condemnation in equal measure. AI correspondent Marc Cieslak looks at the major technological advances made by Sora 2, as well as concerns raised over disinformation, privacy, copyright and intellectual property.

AI Decoded features Google DeepMind's Gemini Robotics lab, where researchers use artificial intelligence to enable robots to perceive, plan, think, use tools and act to better solve complex, multi-step tasks. For reaction, the AI Decoded team are joined by leading AI expert and cognitive scientist Gary Marcus to discuss what the future holds if humans are to exist alongside superintelligent machines.

At the United Nations General Assembly, over 200 prominent politicians and scientists, including 10 Nobel Prize winners and many leading artificial intelligence researchers, released an urgent call for binding international measures against dangerous uses of AI.

AI Decoded speaks to NHS doctors who have successfully developed an artificial intelligence-led stethoscope that can detect three heart conditions in 15 seconds.

Experts predict AI may reach superintelligence, though timelines vary significantly, with some estimating a 50 per cent chance by 2047 and others predicting it could happen sooner or never.

Google has promised a radical, 'total reimagining of Search' that will usher in a golden age of the web. But a chorus of critics and on-the-ground victims decry catastrophic losses, accusing the tech giant of prioritizing its AI ambitions over the future of the web.

AI Decoded looks at the potential of artificial intelligence to transform the educational environment from a traditional setting into a much more innovative and interactive learning space.

Artificial intelligence brings opportunities and uncertainties for the future of work. Enabling and upskilling the workforce to take full advantage of AI will be vital in many areas of employment. However, there remains much debate on the ways that AI could or should intersect with work, or the place of AI in the wider political, economic and social discourse.

Drones, artificial intelligence, and robots are playing an increasingly important role in warfare. These new technologies are transforming weapons systems and upending traditional military strategies on the battlefield.

The race for artificial intelligence supremacy is intensifying, with the US and China locked in a strategic battle that extends beyond technology into geopolitics, economic dominance and national security.

A new generation of AI-powered chatbots is streamlining the booking process, handling everything from flight searches and hotel reservations to payment and baggage tracking. As technology advances, hyper-personalisation will become the norm, tailoring every aspect of the travel experience to individual preferences and needs.

AI Decoded looks at the Chinese room argument, which challenges the claim AI can genuinely understand language, let alone possess true consciousness.

Meta has launched Muse, a new AI assistant designed to watch, learn and act on your behalf. But is it a helpful digital companion, or the latest step in Big Tech's push into our personal lives?

Has Donald Trump just rebranded AI? This week, the US president declared that artificial intelligence sounds too fake and should be renamed super intelligence instead.

Has the AI industry finally recognised the dangers of the technology it is building? We examine the growing debate over AI safety, regulation and control.

Critics have labelled them 'pervert glasses', lawsuits have raised privacy concerns and some venues have banned them. Yet for many visually impaired users, smart glasses are proving transformative.

China can build a robot that runs faster than Usain Bolt. So why can't it reliably empty a dishwasher? We explore the gap between what AI can think and what robots can actually do.

AI Decoded asks whether the AI revolution is delivering on its promises. Companies and organisations are spending vast sums on artificial intelligence after being promised AI will transform productivity, improve efficiency and unlock entirely new ways of working. Yet a growing number of investors and analysts are asking a simple question: where's the proof? Research suggests only a small percentage of enterprise AI projects are producing measurable value. Businesses have bought the software, invested in licences and launched pilot projects, but many are still struggling to turn that investment into meaningful results. So is AI failing to live up to expectations? Or are companies simply approaching adoption the wrong way.

AI Decoded explores the growing backlash against artificial intelligence. As fears of job losses spread through the tech industry and protests against AI data centres gather momentum, we ask whether the promises of an AI-powered future are starting to unravel. Plus, could advanced AI one day become conscious, and if it does, what responsibilities would we have towards it? Presenter Marc Cieslak is joined by digital rights activist Cory Doctorow, AI entrepreneur Priya Lakhani and academic Dr Ella Hafermalz to unpack the biggest questions facing AI today.

AI can write, code, plan and problem-solve in seconds. But as we hand more tasks over to machines, what happens to our own skills? In this episode, AI Decoded investigates whether AI is enhancing human intelligence or quietly eroding it. From doctors and software engineers to students growing up with AI tutors, we explore new research suggesting that reliance on AI could affect critical thinking, expertise and decision-making. Joining Marc are leading paediatric neurosurgeon Owase Jeelani, digital transformation researcher Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila and AI Decoded co-host Dr Stephanie Hare.

The race between America and China to lead the world in artificial intelligence is reshaping the global balance of power. But behind the headlines, a hidden conflict is unfolding. Join AI Decoded as we examine the seizure of $13 million worth of advanced AI chips allegedly bound for China, and Anthropic's claim that Alibaba carried out the largest known AI 'distillation attack' in history. As nations and tech giants compete for supremacy, the battle for AI is increasingly being fought in the shadows. Who will win the race for AI dominance, and how far will they go to get there?

As governments and businesses confront their reliance on US tech giants, AI Decoded explores whether Britain can build its own AI future - and how quickly it must act. Now, a sudden decision from Washington is sending shockwaves through the global AI industry, restricting access to some of America's most advanced systems - even for its allies. For UK companies, it raises a stark question: what happens when the technology you depend on is no longer available? Presenter Marc Cieslak is joined by Yang Li of East London startup Cosine, now racing to build a 'sovereign' British alternative as demand surges following the US clampdown. Bloomberg's Katrina Manson also joins to unpack the national security stakes, alongside co-host Stephanie Hare.

Young people were told artificial intelligence would make them sharper, faster, more creative - and more employable. But for many, that promise now feels more complicated. From students leaning on chatbots to write essays to graduates sending out hundreds of AI-assisted job applications - only to be filtered out by algorithms on the other side - artificial intelligence is no longer a future story. Join AI Decoded as we ask: Is AI empowering the next generation - or quietly undermining it?

Not long ago, artificial intelligence was being sold as a science-fiction reality, a force that could transform society, cure disease, and remake the economy. Now, the mood is shifting. The companies driving the boom are racing for investment while grappling with a tougher reality: AI is costly, unpredictable, and not yet profitable. Even some of its creators warn progress may be too fast, as public anxiety grows and political resistance takes shape. Is AI now at a tipping point - caught between financial pressure, technological risk and a rising backlash?

The FIFA 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever - spanning three countries, 48 teams, 104 matches, and an audience of billions. Now, for the first time, artificial intelligence will sit at the heart of the tournament. From sharper offside decisions to real-time digital replicas of all 16 stadiums, organisers will use AI to monitor crowds, improve safety, and manage the event from a single command centre. For fans, both in the stadium and at home, it promises an entirely new way to experience the game. So will more AI really improve the game? Or risk taking something away from it? Join AI Decoded as we explore whether technology can truly enhance football - and what fans actually want from the future of the sport.

AI Decoded examines a dramatic week for Elon Musk that could reshape the future of artificial intelligence. A US court has rejected Musk's claims against OpenAI, bringing a long-running feud with co-founder Sam Altman into sharp focus and offering a rare glimpse inside one of the world's most influential AI companies. At the same time, SpaceX is preparing for what could be the largest stock market listing in history - a move that may value the company at up to $1.75 trillion and make Musk the world's first human trillionaire.

AI Decoded speaks to leading tech podcaster Scott Galloway about the growing controversy surrounding Anthropic's latest AI model, Claude Mythos. During testing, the system uncovered thousands of hidden vulnerabilities in the software underpinning most of the world's computers - prompting Anthropic to decide it was too dangerous to release. The company says Mythos can outperform humans at certain hacking and cyber security tasks, raising fresh concerns among regulators, lawmakers and financial institutions about the risks to global digital infrastructure.

The AI revolution demands vast amounts of electricity. New data centres powering the next generation of artificial intelligence can use as much energy as a small city. Last year, the world's biggest tech firms spent more than 400 billion dollars expanding this infrastructure and demand is still growing. But there's a problem. In the United States, four in ten data centre projects planned for this year face serious delays, and increasingly the public are raising concerns about living next door to these colossal digital factories.

AI Decoded examines Sam Altman's vision for an era of artificial superintelligence. The Open AI CEO is calling for a new kind of social contract - an 'AI New Deal' - arguing that unprecedented technological power will require rethinking how the benefits are shared, including ideas such as wealth redistribution and even taxes on robots.

AI Decoded explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work and asks whether jobs will disappear or be redesigned around powerful new technologies. We hear from leading experts on what this shift means for today's workforce and for young people preparing for life after university, as everyone adapts to stay relevant in a digital age.

Will gaming ever be the same again? Tech giant NVIDIA claims its newest AI upgrade is the biggest jump in video game graphics in nearly ten years - real-time neural rendering so advanced it edges into Hollywood-level realism. Join the AI Decoded team as we hear from gaming icon Alanah Pearce on her reaction to this latest development.

AI Decoded focusses on one of the most urgent, tangible uses of artificial intelligence - health care. We speak to Dr Regina Barzilay, an MIT professor who is building machine-learning AI models to predict disease. She herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and has used that experience and knowledge to target her research towards prevention - the AI model she and her team built, named MIRAI, is now able to detect a patient's risk of developing breast cancer within five years.

What happens when your own face, your own voice—even your own thoughts—are hijacked by machines you can’t control? AI Decoded follows economist and broadcaster Yanis Varoufakis's descent down the rabbit hole of the hundreds of deepfake versions of him flooding the internet. Also, the team react to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's recent comments that everyone should stop being so negative about AI.

AI Decoded sits down with James Muldoon, author of new book 'Love Machines' which explores what happens to our relationships with each other as artificial intelligence enters our personal lives. Friends. Lovers. Therapists. 'Deathbots'. AI is taking on unprecedented roles for millions of us every day - but how are these new 'relationships' rewiring us? Beyond those who are using chatbots for everyday tasks, many are also turning to them as friends, mentors and romantic partners.