too long didn’t read

Alternative answers to Google's most searched AI questions - Tldr Wrapped

For the final episode of series two, Jonah puts this year's most searched for AI questions to Smera - What is AI? Are AI detectors accurate? Has AI passed the Turing test? When will AI take over? Is AI good?
Although the questions seem relatively straightforward at first glance, you might be surprised how insightful Smera's answers are...
 
Episode notes
New Coca-Cola advert and Forbes article about it
404 article about AI generated films
*All statistics correct at time of recording and refer to 'AI' or 'Artificial intelligence' as the search term rather than AI related search terms such as gen AI tools etc. 
Statistics and questions from Google Trends, Moz.com, Answerthepublic.com, Statistica, Semrush and Google's Year In Search
 
TOPICS
00:00 Festive greetings and introductions
00:44 Reflecting on the series
02:34 AI in advertising
03:39 AI's impact on jobs
06:32 TLDR Unwrapped: A Year in AI
10:44 AI FAQs: quickfire questions
16:42 Are AI images copyrighted?
17:43 When will AI take over?
18:52 Who AI guidelines?
21:14 Is AI bad for the environment?
21:39 Why is AI dangerous?
23:06 How AI works
23:51 Why is AI art bad at hands?
25:35 Why is AI good or bad?
28:36 Final thoughts and farewell

How did misinformation influence elections in 2024? And can AI help sustainability in space?

We began this series with an introduction to misinformation. What is it? How does it spread on social media? And what impact could it have on elections in this election packed year?
As we begin to conclude this series, Smera and Jonah invite Sam Stockwell from the Turing’s Centre for Emerging Technology and Security (CETaS) to answer our burning questions, and yours - did misinformation affect this years elections? Also, on this episode Smera and Jonah take a short trip into orbit, find that it is getting a bit crowded and explore how AI could be the key to keeping our galactic mess under control. 
 
Topics
00:00 Introduction to Too Long, Didn't Read
00:46 Exploring Misinformation in Elections
02:21 Interview with Sam Stockwell on AI and Misinformation
04:54 Tools and Trends in Misinformation
09:56 Public Trust and Misinformation
25:19 The Role of Social Media Algorithms
32:57 Space Exploration Highlights
41:44 Farewell and Future Topics
 
Episode sources
AI Misinformation 
CETaS paper AI-enabled influence operations 
Article on Taiwan’s LINE social media app which has the AI chatbot for source verification  
FullFact and Logically Fact websites  
Sam’s article on what voters can do to protect themselves against AI disinformation 
A super year for elections - UNDP 
Amnesty recommendations 
 
AI Space Sustainability 
Polaris Dawn 
Europa probe 
AI For Space 
Space debris 
Uni of Strathclyde partnership 
Gov future space environment 
NASA and AI 
 

Digital Death, Quantum Computing and AI job seeking

It's spooky Halloween and this month, Jonah and Smera are joined by experts in digital culture and heritage, Dr. Jenny Kidd of Cardiff University and Dr Eva Nieto McAvoy of King’s College London, to explore the eerie intersection of AI and digital immortality. Plus, Jonah and Smera break down the basics of quantum computing amid claims that 2025 is going to be a breakthrough year for the field, and the pair take a look at how AI is helping job seekers find work.
 
Topics discussed in this episode:   
[00:00 - 01:00] Introduction and summary of topics[01:00 - 06:00] Discussion on how AI is changing the way we remember and interact with the dead[06:00 - 11:00] Exploration of personal digital remains and AI-powered "death bots"[11:00 - 16:00] Emotional impact and ethical questions around using AI to reanimate the dead[16:00 - 21:00] Legal and practical considerations around ownership and control of digital remains[21:00 - 26:00] Potential parallels between digital remains and organ donation[26:00 - 31:00] Explanation of quantum computing and its potential applications[31:00 - 36:00] Concerns around quantum computing's impact on digital security and encryption[36:00 - 43:00] Discussion on the use of AI in job application and recruitment processes[43:00 - 46:00] Concluding thoughts and show information
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:    
[01:00 - 16:00]  Digital Death 
Jenny and Eva Research - Synthetic Pasts
Digital Death Conference
[26:00 - 31:00] Quantum Computing 
2025 is Q year
Quantum will have ChatGPT moment soon 
A guide to QC
Hannah Fry explore QC (video)
[36:00 - 43:00]  AI and Job applications 
404 story 
Layoffs sweeping tech companies
AI recruiting will be a game changer 
Optimise CV for AI

AI for law enforcement, AI Treaty and dual-use technology

Join Jonah and Smera as they dive into current AI and data science news.This month, we're focusing on AI in law enforcement: what are the potential dangers and societal implications? We're joined by special guest and expert in human-AI interaction, Dr. Melina Kunar, as she shares her insights on the profound impact AI can have in fields like healthcare and law enforcement. And, having attended the plenary session with the Council of Europe, Smera gives us the scoop on the AI Treaty - the first international treaty addressing AI risks and its implications for our fundamental rights. Plus: Jonah and Smera discuss the myriad misadventures of dual-use technology.
 
Sources
Law enforcement 
Argentina are going all Minority Report  
More 
Some UK Police want AI for admin 
ProPublica have covered bias and ethics and more 
justice in forensic algorithms act 
Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil  
Race After Technology by Ruha Benjamin 
AI Treaty 
UK signs first international treaty to implement AI safeguards and here’s CETaS explainer 
Turing research to support the treaty 
HUDERIA scores high on Algorithm Audit 
Dual-use technology 
China's robotic dogs still a novelty to most - as firms grapple with military using tech as weapons | Science & Tech News | Sky News  The Necropolitics of Drones  Dual-use AI dilemma 
Dual use conundrum  
Dual use export controls 
 
00:00 Introduction and Hosts
00:29 AI in Education and Legal Developments
00:48 DeepMind's Protein Binders and AI in Law Enforcement
01:27 Minority Report and AI in Crime Prediction
04:39 Interview with Dr. Melina Kuna
07:03 AI in Healthcare: Benefits and Drawbacks
10:34 Human Reliance on AI
14:17 Ethical and Psychological Implications of AI in Law Enforcement
18:22 Philosophical Debate on AI Surveillance
22:14 Future of AI and Education
23:13 Parental Attitudes Towards Technology
23:40 The Importance of AI Accessibility
24:21 International AI Treaty and Its Implications
25:18 Council of Europe and Human Rights
27:30 AI Lifecycle and Human Rights
29:12 Turing's Role in AI Regulation
34:50 Dual-Use Technology and Its Challenges
42:39 Future of AI and Dual-Use Concerns
45:04 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Dead internet theory, AI Bubble and Fake Obituaries

This month, Smera and Jessie dive deep into the intriguing world of conspiracy theories, welcoming Chris Thomas from the Turing to discuss the controversial "dead internet theory." They explore the notion that much of the internet is now a fabricated landscape, questioning the authenticity of online interactions and content.
 
In addition, the episode sheds light on the alarming trend of fake online obituaries and Smera asks whether we are currently experiencing an AI bubble as she explains the details of the financial dip in August 2024.
 
Sources
AI landlords update
 
Dead Internet Theory 
The Dead Internet Theory, Explained (forbes.com) 
Dead Internet Theory: Most of the Internet is Fake | Agora Road's Macintosh Cafe 
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/apr/30/techscape-artificial-intelligence-bots-dead-internet-theory  
The ‘dead internet theory’ makes eerie claims about an AI-run web. The truth is more sinister (theconversation.com) 
 
AI Bubble 
https://buttondown.email/maiht3k/archive/the-grimy-residue-of-the-ai-bubble/  
https://qz.com/ai-stocks-dot-com-bubble-nvidia-google-microsoft-amazon-1851407019  
https://www.reuters.com/markets/echoes-dotcom-bubble-haunt-ai-driven-us-stock-market-2024-07-02/  
https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-internet-dotcom-bubble-tech-stocks-nvidia-market-crash-gordon-2024-5 
 
Adtech and fake obituaries 
https://checkmyads.org/fake-obituary-advertising-spam/ 
 

London Data Week, AI landlords and the Olympics AI agenda

On this month's episode, Jonah and Smera push AI to the side and get all excited about data, as they travel around London to meet with some of the people behind London Data Week 2024. From feminist meme-making workshops to live brain scanning, plus, London Data Week’s co-founder, Jen Ding, gives us the inside scoop. Also this month, Smera looks into the AI landlords cropping up across the USA, and Jonah explores the Paris Olympics AI agenda. 
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:    
How Britain voted in 2024
London Data Week 
GLA Wellbeing Flower
Data Trusts
Census
Prospect Brixham
Feminist Design
LOTI
Becky Inkster's The Laß
 
AI Landlords
Landlords using AI
Gov landlord stats
Guardian - Landlords
Guardian - AI can help ficx housing crisis
ProPublica
King's Speech
 
Olympics AI Agenda
The Role of tech in the Paralympics
Enhancing disabilities: transhumanism under the veil of inclusion?
 
 

AI politicians, the voice of Her and animal communications

As the UK’s general elections approach, we take a closer look at some of the novel characters emerging in the race to leadership.
This month Smera and Jonah are joined by Michael Katell, an Ethics Fellow in the Turing’s Public Policy Programme, to discuss AI Steve – the chatbot standing in this year’s election.
Smera gives the lowdown on Scarlett Johansson’s legal battle with OpenAI, in a story of life imitating art, imitating life, and Jonah gets all Dr Doolittle at the thought of talking to the animals with the help of AI.
Find out about the Turing’s Public Policy Programme - Public Policy | The Alan Turing Institute
 
Topics discussed in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to Too Long, Didn't Read
00:35 AI Steve: The UK's First AI Candidate for Parliament
03:45 Exploring AI's Role in Politics with Dr. Mike Cattell
23:20 Mike Katell's Vision for a Better Society
25:15 AI and the Music Industry
26:00 Scarlett Johansson vs. OpenAI
27:42 Legal Implications of AI
31:42 Gender and AI Voices
36:54 Animal Communication Breakthroughs
48:32 Conclusion and Thanks
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:    
AI Steve
AI Steve in Guardian
Independent article
S.A.M
Wired try AI Steve
The World's Top Fighter Pilots Fear This Woman's Voice 
The use of male or female voices in warnings systems: a question of acoustics - PubMed
Dazed on AI Steve
The voice of Her
Scarlett Johansson sues Open AI
ScarJo v Open AI - Wired
Animal communications
Scientists enlist AI to interpret meaning of barks - BBC
Elephant names study - Guardian
Aza Raskin talk
Whales talk
Nature article
Nature paper
New AI Can Help Decode Types of Dog Barks
Deepsqeak
Parrots name their young
Positive
Could AI put an end to animal testing?
 

Misinformation in democracy, a robot who serves apples and generative porn

We’re back for a brand new series of too long didn’t read!
This month Smera and Jonah are joined by Megan Hughes of the Turing’s Centre for Emerging Technology and Security to inform us about misinformation during election periods, and assures us to not always believe the hype. Smera and Jonah also discuss some of the latest breakthroughs with robotics and what that could mean for our workforces, and they explore the tricky topic of how generative AI is being used to create pornographic material, much of which is harmful.
Find out about the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security - cetas.turing.ac.uk/ 
Discover the Turing - turing.ac.uk
 
Topics discussed in this episode:  
Introduction [00:00:00] 
New Format for Season 2 [00:01:00] 
Misinformation During Elections [00:02:00] 
Examples of AI Misinformation [00:07:00] 
Impact of Misinformation on Elections [00:10:00] 
Authenticating Real Information [00:14:00] 
CETAS Report on AI Election Threats [00:19:00] 
Robotics and Figure01 [00:22:00] 
Impact of Robots on Jobs [00:27:00] 
Generative AI and Pornography [00:29:00] 
Responsible Use of Generative AI [00:34:00] 
Positive AI News: AlphaFold3 [00:35:00] 
 
Resources mentioned in this episode:  
[00:02:00] Misinformation during elections 
www.newscientist.com/article/2427842-deepfake-politicians-may-have-a-big-influence-on-indias-elections/  
www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240503-us-election-disinformation-targets-non-citizen-voting  
apnews.com/article/india-election-misinformation-meta-youtube-703a56c73f9341393f05400ea218b87d 
[00:27:00] Impact of Robots on Jobs  
www.reuters.com/technology/meet-ashley-worlds-first-ai-powered-political-campaign-caller-2023-12-12/ 
[00:29:00] Generative AI and Pornography  
www.wired.com/article/2024/02/01/politics/election-deepfake-threats-invs/index.html 
[00:35:00] Positive AI News  
www.newscientist.com/article/2429520-deepmind-ai-can-predict-how-drugs-interact-with-proteins/ 

Tldr Special - AI UK 2024

In this special episode ahead of series two, Smera and Jonah give us a whistle-stop tour of the UK’s national showcase of data science and AI - AI UK.  
The event’s producer, Lillian Hughes talks us through some of the programme highlights and Smera and Jonah chat to participants including Michael Wooldridge (University of Oxford), Doug Gurr (The Alan Turing Insitute), Rebecca Cosgriff (NHS England), Stephen Meers (DSIT) and Jake Elwes (ZiZi Project). 
 
https://ai-uk.turing.ac.uk/ 
https://www.youtube.com/@AI_UK 

Series wrap up: Listeners questions answered and the stories that didn’t make the cut

In this, the final episode of this season of tldr, Smera and Jonah delve into their post bag and attempt answer some listeners’ questions. Also, Jonah asks Smera about some of the stories that didn't make the cut for this series.  
With new developments in artificial intelligence happening at lightning speed, it can be hard to keep up. That's where too long didn't read comes in. We know you're busy, so we'll get right to the main points on how breakthroughs in machine learning, neural networks, and other AI systems could impact your life. No AI degree required! We're not here for hype or fear mongering. Just balanced coverage to keep you up-to-date. Think of us as your shortcut to AI literacy. 
Join us as we read between the lines on artificial intelligence every week right here on too long didn't read. 
 
Episode Sources
 
Mike Wooldridge Turing Lecture
https://youtu.be/2kSl0xkq2lM?si=tzAi0sAqftQICLdq
 
Julia Shaw on Life Scientific 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014p73 
 
Speaker knows you’re drunk  
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/smart-tech-can-use-tongue-twisters-to-tell-if-youre-drunk-ttf6203k7 
 
AI Headteacher 
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/abigail-bailey-schools-ai-principle-headteacher 
 
Less sperm 
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231102/Study-links-heavy-mobile-phone-use-to-lower-sperm-count.aspx#:~:text=Men%20using%20mobile%20phones%20at,in%20this%20group%20of%20men.