Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech Podcast

A robot that can detect breast cancer?


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A new robot to detect breast cancer


Imagine going to the supermarket to do your weekly shop and also getting a breast examination at the same time. The screening would be performed not by a human but a robot, designed by engineers at the University of Bristol and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in the UK. It's called "IRIS" and it looks like a mechanical claw which can apply very specific forces and detect lumps using sensor technology deeper in the breast tissue than ever before - meaning that it could detect cancer at an earlier stage. Dr. Antonia Tzemenaki and lead researcher George Jenkinson are on the Somewhere on Earth podcast to explain how it all works.


Could AI be reducing internet freedom?


Internet freedom is declining globally because certain governments are using developments in AI to restrict content their citizens can access online. According to a report by Freedom House - an American organisation that describes itself as supporting and defending democracy around the world - some governments are using AI to increase online censorship and also fabricating images, audio and text to distribute misinformation. Journalist Emma Woollacott explains which countries are most impacted.


The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ghislaine Boddington.


More on this week's stories:

  • New robot could help diagnose breast cancer early
  • The Repressive Power of Artificial Intelligence
  • Freedom On The Net Report Highlights Dangers Of AI
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    Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner


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      Somewhere on Earth: The Global Tech PodcastBy Somewhere on Earth