The Naked Scientists Podcast

The Naked Scientists 1300 - Why AI is changing everything

The Naked Scientists flagship science show brings you a lighthearted look at the latest scientific breakthroughs, interviews with the world's top scientists, answers to your science questions and science experiments to try at home.

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Episodes

06 Oct 2026

02 Oct 2026

29 Sep 2026

25 Sep 2026

22 Sep 2026

18 Sep 2026

15 Sep 2026

11 Sep 2026

08 Sep 2026

04 Sep 2026

01 Sep 2026

28 Aug 2026

25 Aug 2026

21 Aug 2026

18 Aug 2026

14 Aug 2026

11 Aug 2026

07 Aug 2026

04 Aug 2026

31 Jul 2026

28 Jul 2026

24 Jul 2026

21 Jul 2026

17 Jul 2026

14 Jul 2026

10 Jul 2026

07 Jul 2026

03 Jul 2026

30 Jun 2026

This episode explores diverse scientific and environmental topics, beginning with the impact of a 'heat dome' causing record-breaking temperatures in Europe and the role of the jet stream. The discussion then shifts to public health, examining the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer alongside the concerning decline in vaccination rates following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the episode delves into the history of malaria control through DDT and its ecological consequences. Finally, the conversation explores the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, considering Lord Martin Rees's theories on post-human evolution and the possibility of detecting advanced electronic or robotic life via energy signatures in the Milky Way.

26 Jun 2026

This episode explores groundbreaking archaeological and evolutionary discoveries, beginning with the ritualistic burial practices of Homo naledi in South Africa and the identification of Britain's oldest prehistoric art in Bacon Hole Cave. The discussion also examines the evolutionary impact of malaria on human migration in Africa and the historical use of plant-based medicines. Finally, the episode investigates the archaeological evidence of medicinal and mind-altering substances in ancient burials and the theory of zoopharmacology, which suggests humans may have learned medicinal practices by observing animal behavior.

23 Jun 2026

19 Jun 2026

16 Jun 2026

12 Jun 2026

09 Jun 2026

05 Jun 2026

02 Jun 2026

29 May 2026

26 May 2026

22 May 2026

19 May 2026

15 May 2026

12 May 2026

08 May 2026

05 May 2026

01 May 2026

28 Apr 2026

24 Apr 2026

21 Apr 2026

17 Apr 2026

The Naked Scientists Podcast

Episodes

Why AI is changing everything

Cancer drug gene screen, and world's most powerful rocket

What is heart disease, and how can it be tackled?

Kent's meningitis outbreak, and heat-loving amoeba

The magic of mushrooms and the science of fungi

AI poses biosecurity risk, and the ice that doesn't shatter

A super El Nino is on the way. What should we expect?

World-first baby skull surgery, and could AI kill us?

What you need to know about driverless vehicles

Supersized El Nino strikes, and navigation app for the blind

How chemistry can make us healthier

Shingles vaccine and heart disease, and allergy transpoosion

Incredible insects and their special skills

Salmonella outbreak, and Roman shipwreck discovery

How can chronic wounds cost more than cancer?

Malaria drug breakthrough, and space radiation vests

Solar eclipse special

Breakthrough womb surgery, and the SpaceX Moon crash

The food of the future

Chasing fire clouds, and nanoparticles blitz brain cancers

Titans of Science: Sara Wickstrom

Wildfires worldwide, and algae microbots for drug delivery

Titans of Science: Adrian Owen

Alzheimer's drug breakthrough, and sugar in space

Titans of Science: Enrico Coen

Weight loss pills on sale, and Dolly the sheep's legacy

Titans of Science: Tara Spires-Jones

Children's mental health, and mapping bilingual brains

The science of sound and music

Europe swelters in 'heat dome', and Martin Rees on aliens

Lessons from our ancient ancestors

UK's under-16 social media ban, and the first trillionaire

Stonehenge and the summer solstice

Christian Eriksen's heart device, and air leaks on the ISS

Fever pitch: the science of the Football World Cup

Ovarian cancer wonder drug, and the birth of black holes

Should we be concerned about Ebola?

Rising melanoma rates, and artificial bird's eggs

The future of AI

Ebola outbreak in the DRC, and Artemis III preparation

Dealing with depression

Virologists on hantavirus, and extreme heat at the World Cup

Hantavirus outbreak: cruising for a biological bruising

Hantavirus outbreak, and salmon on cocaine

Meningitis under the microscope

Chernobyl 40 years on, and countering ash dieback disease

Giant leaps in astronomy: the telescopes taking us further

Microbiome links to Parkinson's, and a massive laser boost

What is flooding? And how do we tackle it?

Alzheimer's drugs & tackling HIV