Machine learning algorithms are a set of computerised techniques for recognising patterns in data and ‘learn’ to predict outcomes based on those patterns. These powerful techniques are transforming many aspects of our lives but the biggest changes are yet to come. Greater computing power, larger datasets and improvements to the algorithms are opening up many new opportunities. Personalised medicine, AI assistants and driverless cars are some of the most exciting developments which may soon be possible. But with the current hype it’s difficult to get to grips with what these systems can actually do and where their limitations lie.

What can machine learning algorithms do and what can’t they do? What are the challenges and what lies ahead?

Our report explores in more detail what these algorithms are, what they are capable of doing and the key future challenges. Read the report: http://www.nesta.org.uk/machines-learn-wild

Photo credit: Robot Forest, Vincent Ferron, Flickr, CC by NC 2.0.

In the fifth episode of our FutureFest podcast we ask what music is and what it will be.

We probably don't need more love songs: musician and producer Matthew Herbert talks to Pat Kane about the crisis of ideas and why technology needs to be a little less perfect.

Musicologist Adam Harper considers how music is more than just sound in a talk that involves ancient German bone-flutes.

And we hear from Chagall, a musician and producer making electronic music visual with the mi.mu data gloves. Watch our video of the 2015 festival featuring Chagall's performance with mi.mu gloves.

A transcript of episode 5 is a available at:

http://www.nesta.org.uk/sites/default/files/futurefest_podcast_episode_3_future_global.pdf

To find out more about FutureFest, visit www.nesta.org.uk/futurefest

Podcast presented by Emily Elias

This podcast features the following music:

Broke for Free - Melt

Chagall

In our fourth FutureFest podcast, we explore the concept and future of money.

Did you know your £1 coin isn’t technically worth £1? Or that the largest coin still in use on the Micronesian island of Yap is 12-foot across and made of stone? Author and journalist John Lanchester draws on fascinating examples to demonstrate what makes money money.

And have you ever considered that your bodily fluids could be your future currency? Biohacker and designer Raph Kim talks about the possibility of ditching notes and coins for spit and snot. Finally, find out what comedian and scientist Dr Steve Cross had to say to us on money matters.

FutureFest is Nesta‘s weekend festival of radical ideas, compelling talks, and immersive experiences to inspire, excite and challenge perceptions of the future. The most recent festival took place in March 2015 in London.

To find out more about FutureFest, visit www.nesta.org.uk/futurefest

A transcript of this episode is available at:

http://www.nesta.org.uk/sites/default/files/episode-4-future-money-transcript.pdf

Podcast presented by Emiliy Elias

This podcast features the following music:

Broke for free - Melt

The Moss - Cosmo Sheldrake

In the third episode of our FutureFest podcast, we explore what’s shaping Africa’s near future.

Ore Disu, Executive Director of Nsibidi Institute - based in Lagos, Nigeria, discusses the city’s challenges and opportunities; Fabian-Carlos Guhl introduces us to the Venture Bus, which picks up aspiring entrepreneurs on its route across the continent; and Thomas Aquilina discusses his photography, which captures the changing face of the Africa.

FutureFest is Nesta‘s weekend festival of radical ideas, compelling talks, and immersive experiences to inspire, excite and challenge perceptions of the future. The most recent festival took place in March 2015 in London.

Podcast presented by Emily Elias

To find out more about FutureFest, visit www.nesta.org.uk/futurefest

This podcast features the following music:

Broke for Free - Melt

Jahzzar - Flutter

Jahzzar - DJ

Tune in to the second episode of our FutureFest podcast, which asks how far we’ll go to get our kicks in the future.

Paul Dolan, author of Happiness By Design, explores what happiness is and how to find it, Professor Adrian Cheok looks at the future of thrill-seeking as we start to augment all five of our senses with virtual reality, and comedian Dan Schreiber (the man behind the popular No such thing as a fish podcast) shares his time travel to-do list.

FutureFest is Nesta‘s weekend festival of radical ideas, compelling talks, and immersive experiences to inspire, excite and challenge perceptions of the future. The most recent festival took place in March 2015 in London.

Podcast presented by Emily Elias

To find out more about FutureFest, visit www.nesta.org.uk/futurefest

This podcast features the following music:

Broke for Free - Melt

Broke for Free - Night Owl

Broke for Free - Feel Good (Instrumental)

Steve Combs - The Chase (Remix)

Episode 1 in our series of FutureFest podcasts.

Step into the machine with the first episode of our FutureFest podcast. Listen to hilarious stories, intriguing ideas, and unexpected experiences, involving humanity and machinery, fresh from the festival.

In this episode, author Jon Ronson considers the power of social media as he describes going into digital battle to reclaim his identity from a Twitter spam-bot.

We hear how it feels when a blind robot touches your face, along with learning the story of Blind Robot’s evolution from Louis-Philippe Demers and body>data>space, the team behind it.

And it turns out that sex and companion robots may outrank mechanical carers. Artist Anna Dumitriu explains what her research with the University of Hertfordshire found older people actually want from robots.

FutureFest is Nesta‘s weekend festival of radical ideas, compelling talks, and immersive experiences to inspire, excite and challenge perceptions of the future. The most recent festival took place in March 2015 in London.

Podcast presented by Emily Elias

To find out more about FutureFest, visit www.nesta.org.uk/futurefest

A transcript of this podcast can be found here:

www.nesta.org.uk/futurefest_podcast_transcript_1

This podcast features the following music:

Broke For Free - Melt

Broke For Free - Fuck It

Steve Combs - Fine Without You (Remix)