Alex Hern

Alex Hern, Technology and AI journalist at The Economist, offers sharp analysis of AI’s spread into everyday life. He discusses AI as infrastructure, hallucinations and verification risks, deepfakes and visual persuasion, military uses from logistics to autonomy, job and labor shifts, global US–China dynamics, environmental strain, and the knotty challenge of regulation.

Natalie Jarvey, an entertainment reporter, discusses Netflix's monumental $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, exploring the implications for iconic franchises like Harry Potter. Mark Savage, a BBC music reporter, dives into the Eurovision controversy, revealing participant withdrawals and the debate over Israel’s inclusion. Lastly, Alex Hern, an AI correspondent, examines Meta's pivot from metaverse ambitions to investing in artificial intelligence and wearables, questioning the future of VR and the significance of AI in this new direction.

Joining the discussion is Alex Hern, the Technology and AI correspondent for The Economist. He sheds light on the controversial UK digital ID scheme and its implications on civil liberties. The conversation dives into the 'Lethal Trifecta', detailing risks associated with untrusted AI inputs and sensitive data access. Alex argues for nationalizing digital ID to enhance public services, juxtaposing positive international examples like Estonia with the pitfalls of India's Aadhaar system. The debate intensifies over government competence in tech projects and the potential benefits and skepticism surrounding digital IDs.