The Artificial Human – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Sometimes, we get odd questions at the Artificial Human - ‘Why has my gran’s facebook feed been taken over by Shrimp Jesus?’ definitely raised eyebrows.

Kevin and Aleks embark on a journey into the weird and wonderful world of ‘AI Slop’ - mass produced, low quality AI images that have spread like wildfire over Social Media platforms - with Shrimp Jesus being one of the most prominent, and bizarre, examples.

They’ll speak with Renee Di Resta, about her study that reveals how algorithmic systems, designed to maximize engagement, have allowed AI slop to take over social media feeds - not because it's valuable, but because it's engineered to be highly clickable and shareable, gaming the algorithms for more impressions, likes, and comments.

And it turns out, those impressions can lead to money - BIG money... for a very select few. Aleks and Kevin talk with investigative journalist Jason Koebler about the hidden cottage industry producing the Slop - a community primarily from the Global South, trying to make money from social media reward programmes. With the help of various apps, online tutorials and hacker-like methods of avoiding spam filters, people are flocking to social media hoping to strike gold with viral images, like Shrimp Jesus.

But, will this AI Slop gold rush be the death of Social Media as we know it? And what happens to us when we just assume that anything we see online is simply not real.

And remember, if you have a question about AI that you’d like us to answer for you, get in touch with theartificialhuman@bbc.co.uk

Presenters: Aleks Krotosksi and Kevin Fong Producer: Elizabeth Ann Duffy Researcher: Emily Esson Engineer: Barry Jackson

Artificial Intelligence is in our homes, schools and workplaces. What does this mean for us?

In 'The Artificial Human,' Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong set out to 'solve' AI. Or at the very least, to answer our questions about it. These are the questions that really matter to us - is AI smarter than me? Could AI make me money? Will AI save my life? They'll pursue the answer by speaking to those closest to the forefront of AI-related innovation. By the end of each programme, the subject will be a little clearer - for us, and for themselves.

In this episode, we're asking: can AI get me a new job?

AI has changed the job market a LOT. It can sift through CVs, headhunt new talent and even conduct interviews. So where does that leave those looking for a new job? Does this place us in a better or worse position?

Aleks and Kevin don't have all the answers, but they bring intelligence, curiosity and wit to the journey, seeking out the facts for us and speaking to those who are currently shaping our AI futures. This is very much a shared journey to get to the bottom of our deepest hopes and fears about these world changing technologies.

Artificial Intelligence is in our homes, schools and workplaces. What does this mean for us?

In a new series, Aleks Krotoski (The Digital Human, Radio 4) and Kevin Fong (13 Minutes to the Moon, BBC World Service) set out to 'solve' AI. Or at the very least, to answer our questions on all things artificial intelligence-related. Each episode will start with a question, and by the end, Aleks and Kevin give us answers we can take away and reflect on, making the subject a little clearer - for us, and for themselves. These are the questions that really matter to us - is AI smarter than me? Could AI make me money? Will AI save my life?

In today’s episode, Sarah Jane asks, “Is AI better than my doctor?”

Sarah Jane is a breast cancer survivor, but overcoming the disease hasn’t stopped her feeling anxious about a recurrence. Could AI help to placate her fears? Could it immediately respond to her concerns, when a doctor is hard to reach? Aleks and Kevin find out…

Aleks and Kevin don't have all the answers, but they bring intelligence, curiosity and wit to the journey, seeking out the facts for us and speaking to those who are currently shaping our AI futures. This is very much a shared journey to get to the bottom of our deepest hopes and fears about these world changing technologies.

With over 50 elections around the world in 2024, how could AI influence the democratic process?

Disinformation has already been supercharged by digital technology - with bot farms, fake news and conspiracy theories running rampant across social media platforms.

But now, AI could potentially make it all the more difficult to sort fact from fiction in political discourse. We've already heard a deepfake of Sadiq Khan claiming to control the city of London, in the style of a cartoon villain - yet for something so false it’s uncomfortably convincing. Social Media platforms already struggled with misinformation, AI images, audio and video could make the situation so much worse.

It’s a big year for democracy, in the next 12 months we’re going to see more than 50 democratic processes unfolding around the world, not least our own general election and the US presidential election, and what Aleks and Kevin are going to find out is 'Can AI swing an election?' And what, if anything, can we do about that?

Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong Producer: Elizabeth Ann Duffy Researchers: Juliet Conway

Children always seem to figure out new technology before their parents, but as technology has become ever more advanced, and interactive, we have had to wrestle with questions about what technology, and how much is good for children, and what could potentially do them harm?

With the speedy proliferation of AI, these questions are all the more important. And the one Kevin and Aleks aim to answer this week is 'Should I let my kids use AI for their Homework?' Will AI just be a way to cheat on an essay, producing text to suit any topic in seconds? Will parents who reject AI see their children left behind their peers? Or could children, guided by teachers who understand the potential AI offers, use the technology to break free of old limitations, and have their capabilities expanded to get an education that truly sets them up for a future where AI is part of every facet of our lives?

Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong Producer: Victoria McArthur Researchers: Emily Esson and Juliet Conway

With stories coming out daily of how it will change just about everything Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong set out to answer the most pressing questions about AI.

Artificial Intelligence is in our homes, schools and workplaces. What does this mean for us?

In 'The Artificial Human,' Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong set out to 'solve' AI. Or at the very least, to answer our questions about it. These are the questions that really matter to us - is AI smarter than me? Could AI make me money? Will AI save my life? They'll pursue the answer by speaking to those closest to the forefront of AI-related innovation. By the end of each programme, the subject will be a little clearer - for us, and for themselves.

In this episode, Lucy wants to know; could AI make my Glastonbury better?

Lucy is attending the Glastonbury festival this year for the fifth time. She loves it and always has a really memorable experience, but it could be improved without the queues for the bars and the toilets, and maybe with a better idea of how to get from stage to stage in the shortest possible time. Could AI help?

Aleks and Kevin don't have all the answers, but they bring intelligence, curiosity and wit to the journey, seeking out the facts for us and speaking to those who are currently shaping our AI futures. This is very much a shared journey to get to the bottom of our deepest hopes and fears about these world changing technologies.

As Apple announce the integration of generative AI across their platforms Aleks and Kevin ask do we actually know how much energy AI consumes and is it compatible with a push to net zero?

Energy consumption is AI's dirty little secret, some industry insiders believe the true potential of these technologies won't be realised until the problem is solved. Aleks and Kevin uncover some fairly startling numbers; a search done through an AI like ChatGPT can use up to 40 times more energy than using a traditional search engine, while a single hi-res image created by an AI could use the equivalent of half a smart phone charge. But because that happens on a server, perhaps in another country users remain ignorant of the potential impact their casual use might have on the push to net zero.

Presenters: Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong Producer: Peter McManus Mixed by Niall Young

Developers have been trying to create driverless cars since the 1920s. Numerous iterations have come into being and fallen away over the years - radio controlled cars, electronic guide systems buried into roads, lidar, radar, computer vision, but with the roll out of AI, we seem closer than ever to getting from A to B without having to touch the wheel.

In fact, in several places in the United States, Driverless Cars are already on the streets - albeit in a limited scope - ferrying users across the cities of Phoenix and San Francisco. And yet here in the UK? There are few autonomous vehicles in select locations, such as airports. But we’re unlikely to be hailing a cab without a driver in the near future? Why?

Aleks and Kevin are all set to find out. They’ll talk to Elaine Moore, who has been a frequent passenger in driverless cabs in San Francisco. Dr. Jack Stilgoe, leader of the Driverless Futures Project, and engineer Paul Newman who is developing autonomous vehicle software here in the UK. They’ll learn about the practical, legal, ethical and technical needs that autonomous vehicles will need to meet in order to function, how the fabric of cities might need to change for them to operate, and just how soon driverless cars will be able to safely operate on UK streets.

If you want to ask to answer your burning question on AI, please get in touch at theartificialhuman@bbc.co.uk

Artificial Intelligence is in our homes, schools and workplaces. What does this mean for us?

In 'The Artificial Human,' Aleks Krotoski and Kevin Fong set out to answer the questions that really matter to us - is AI smarter than me? Could AI make me money? Will AI save my life? They'll pursue the answer by speaking to those closest to the forefront of AI innovation.

In this episode, listener Martha wants to know; why the builders of these technologies are projecting human like qualities on to machines and what the consequences for society might be.

When we talk to a chatbot we can't help behave like there's a mind on the other end - but there isn't. An AI can neither 'think', 'believe' or 'befriend' yet we keep using this language about them. When does that become a problem?

Aleks and Kevin don't have all the answers, but they bring intelligence, curiosity and wit as they get to the bottom of our deepest hopes and fears about these world changing technologies.

If you have question about AI email Kevion and Aleks theartificialhuman@bbc.co.uk