Babbage from The Economist
The Economist
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
11 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 44min
The bomb (part 1): were nuclear weapons inevitable?
Frank Close, a physicist and author of “Destroyer of Worlds,” dives into the origins of nuclear weapons. He highlights the critical discoveries in atomic theory made by pioneers like Curie and Rutherford. The podcast investigates the neutron's pivotal role in nuclear research and the urgency felt by scientists during WWII. Close also reflects on the collaboration between British and American scientists that birthed nuclear weapons, examining both the historical context and the awe-inspiring geography of Los Alamos.
66 snips
May 22, 2024 • 46min
AI and health part one: DrGPT will see you now
AI in healthcare is revolutionizing patient access and disease detection. From AI in breast cancer screening to radiology, the podcast explores its benefits and ethical implications. Chat GPT's role in medical research and the challenges of using AI in healthcare are also discussed. The podcast teases a future episode on changes in medical research and encourages listeners to subscribe.
6 snips
May 1, 2024 • 42min
Babbage: Teens and their screens
The podcast delves into concerns about teenagers' mental health due to smartphone and social media usage. Experts discuss the need for restrictions, social media literacy, and parental involvement. The debate around the impact of technology on young people's well-being is explored, highlighting the importance of setting boundaries and promoting balanced screen time.
33 snips
Mar 6, 2024 • 43min
Babbage: The science that built the AI revolution—part one
The podcast explores the evolution of AI from early brain modeling to modern neural-inspired systems. It delves into the challenges of defining intelligence and the use of language models in machine learning. The progression of AI from perceptrons to deep neural networks is discussed, highlighting breakthroughs in the deep learning revolution.
Feb 21, 2024 • 44min
Babbage: The hunt for dark matter
Scientists are on the hunt for elusive dark matter, using cutting-edge tools and techniques to detect this mysterious substance. With no luck so far, they explore new ideas and technologies at a recent scientific meeting. Will they finally uncover the secrets of dark matter and its profound impact on the universe?
45 snips
Jan 24, 2024 • 45min
Babbage: Sam Altman and Satya Nadella on their vision for AI
Sam Altman and Satya Nadella discuss their vision for AI at the World Economic Forum in Davos. They address concerns about AI's impact on productivity and potential existential risks. They also explore the potential of AI in healthcare and education and discuss the seriousness and regulation of AGI. The importance of open source models and recommendations from The Economist are highlighted.
Dec 20, 2023 • 42min
Babbage: Science book club
Join Alok Jha and his guests as they discuss the significance of science books, including 'The Periodic Table' by Primo Levi and 'Madame Curie' by Ève Curie. They explore the blending of art and storytelling with science, the importance of collective knowledge, and the shift to a gene-centered view of evolution.
Nov 22, 2023 • 39min
Babbage: Fei-Fei Li on how to really think about the future of AI
Fei-Fei Li, pioneer in generative AI models, advocates for a human-centered approach to dealing with AI. She discusses the evolution of computer vision, the impact of generative AIs on society, concerns about bias and disinformation, and the potential sentience of AIs.
Oct 25, 2023 • 45min
Babbage: How to avoid a battery shortage
This podcast explores the need for advanced batteries in the green energy transition, including the challenges of current batteries and the potential of new technologies. It discusses the importance of sourcing metals for batteries and the tensions between mining and environmental concerns. The podcast also explores the successful implementation of battery recycling incentives in China and the impact of global competition and industrial policies on battery technology.
May 6, 2015 • 2min
Babbage: Trailer
Babbage is our weekly podcast on science and technology, named after Charles Babbage—a 19th-century polymath and grandfather of computing. Host Alok Jha talks to our correspondents about the innovations, discoveries and gadgetry shaping the world. Published every Wednesday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
