Season 7, Episode 6 - DNA electronics and the political sway of technology

We take a hard look at how AI tools shape the way we think. We recorded this just before all the tariff news. Its since emerged the list of countries affected and how, have strong signs of AI-led decision making. In some cases, being confidently incorrect.

As the font of all wisdom of our time, do we care at all where these generated outputs fit on the sociopolitical spectrum, or where the sources of info come from?

Beyond that, we do cover some weird and wonderful science like non-breathing animals and self-assembling electronics using DNA. But, its still hard to avoid these consequential announcements.

Sean’s links:

• Discovering the first non-breathing animal

• Using botox-based enzymes to fight Parkinson’s

• ChatGPT shifting rightwards politically

• Weaponised content and where it comes from

• Google Health updates now riskily include crowd-sourced answers

• Beijing making AI education mandatory

• The enormous value creation of open-sourced software

• Honourable mentions:

  • What does it take to get us to another planet?

  • A breakdown of China’s robotics strategy

Ben’s links:

• Greener nuclear fusion

• Using DNA to create self-assembling electronics

• Genes influence our taste in music

• Transistors like neurons

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