Babbage from The Economist

By The EconomistScience Technology

Babbage from The Economist episodes

September 05, 2018 Babbage: Content liability
Should tech companies be legally responsible for all their content? Also, major European research funders have announced ‘Plan S’ to make all scientific works free to read. And how optical fibre made in orbit could be better than the terrestrial sort. Kenneth Cukier hosts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 min
August 29, 2018 Babbage: Peaks and Valleys
Has Silicon Valley’s influence as a technology hub peaked? Also, how artificial intelligence is gaining a sense of curiosity. And how a shampoo bottle is saving lives in Bangladesh. Kenneth Cukier hosts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 min
August 22, 2018 Babbage: Will Google translate?
If Google does reintroduce its search engine to China what will it have to omit? And how future helicopters will fly in new ways, with pilots optional. Also, the discovery of a 3,200-year-old ancient Egyptian cheese and what we can learn from it. Hal Hodson hosts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15 min
August 15, 2018 Babbage: Jumping the Q
Is quantum technology getting ahead of itself? And we look into what is being done to find a cure for celiac disease. Also, we explore random control trials and the placebo effect of sham surgery. Tim Cross hosts

Music by Daniel Birch "Brushed bells in the wind" (CC by 4.0)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20 min
August 08, 2018 Babbage: My corona
We speak to project scientist for the Parker Solar Probe, Dr Nicola Fox, about the spacecraft's upcoming mission to the sun's atmosphere. We also discuss the upsides of artificial intelligence with professor Max Tegmark. And how seal whiskers are helping to create new underwater sensors. Kenneth Cukier hosts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20 min
August 01, 2018 Babbage: Drive.ai time
Should AI systems be more human-centric? We look at how a trial of self-driving vehicles in Texas is focusing on what the technology can do now. Rufus Pollack, the founder of Open Knowledge International, discusses how freedom of choice promotes innovation. And, a simple solution to increasing productivity in India. Kenneth Cukier hosts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20 min
July 25, 2018 Babbage: Too hot to handle
Are the recent heat waves around the world a sign of things to come? Geoffrey Carr, our science editor, finds out at the meeting of the International AIDS Society what more needs to be done to eradicate the disease. Also, has liquid water on Mars finally been found? Kenneth Cukier hosts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
16 min
July 18, 2018 Babbage: Paranoid android
What does the European Commission's record fine of Google mean for the future of its Android operating system? And how a popular gene editing tool is raising a few questions. Also, we speak to Dr David Fajgenbaum about the first ever World Castleman Disease Day. Kenneth Cukier hosts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
17 min
July 11, 2018 Babbage: The Roboburger
Are robots going to replace chefs in the kitchen? And how footsteps can be used for ID and health checks. Also, we focus on the very latest discoveries from the Gaia space mission. Kenneth Cukier hosts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
18 min
July 04, 2018 Babbage: Saving white rhino
How IVF could save the northern white rhino from extinction. And Jaron Lanier tells us why we should delete our social media accounts. Also, how understanding animal behaviour could reduce errors in the operating theatre. Kenneth Cukier hosts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21 min

About Babbage from The Economist

From the publisher's feed

Babbage is The Economist’s weekly podcast on science and technology—named after Charles Babbage, the grandfather of computing. Explore the science changing the way we live from AI to genetics, particle physics and space travel with Alok Jha. This award-winning podcast features in-depth interviews with top scientists and special episodes investigating wellness trends. Published every Wednesday.

If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription.

For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page here https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts