Not long ago, artificial intelligence was being sold as a science-fiction reality, a force that could transform society, cure disease, and remake the economy. Now, the mood is shifting. The companies driving the boom are racing for investment while grappling with a tougher reality: AI is costly, unpredictable, and not yet profitable. Even some of its creators warn progress may be too fast, as public anxiety grows and political resistance takes shape. Is AI now at a tipping point - caught between financial pressure, technological risk and a rising backlash?

The Great AI Gold Rush

Is Gen Z Trapped by AI

The Dawn of the AI World Cup

AI Decoded sits down with James Muldoon, author of new book 'Love Machines' which explores what happens to our relationships with each other as artificial intelligence enters our personal lives. Friends. Lovers. Therapists. 'Deathbots'. AI is taking on unprecedented roles for millions of us every day - but how are these new 'relationships' rewiring us? Beyond those who are using chatbots for everyday tasks, many are also turning to them as friends, mentors and romantic partners.

Falling in Love with AI

What happens when your own face, your own voice—even your own thoughts—are hijacked by machines you can’t control? AI Decoded follows economist and broadcaster Yanis Varoufakis's descent down the rabbit hole of the hundreds of deepfake versions of him flooding the internet. Also, the team react to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's recent comments that everyone should stop being so negative about AI.

AI Stole My Face

AI Decoded focusses on one of the most urgent, tangible uses of artificial intelligence - health care. We speak to Dr Regina Barzilay, an MIT professor who is building machine-learning AI models to predict disease. She herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and has used that experience and knowledge to target her research towards prevention - the AI model she and her team built, named MIRAI, is now able to detect a patient's risk of developing breast cancer within five years.

AI Cancer Revolution

Will gaming ever be the same again? Tech giant NVIDIA claims its newest AI upgrade is the biggest jump in video game graphics in nearly ten years - real-time neural rendering so advanced it edges into Hollywood-level realism. Join the AI Decoded team as we hear from gaming icon Alanah Pearce on her reaction to this latest development.

Will AI Transform Gaming?

AI Decoded explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work and asks whether jobs will disappear or be redesigned around powerful new technologies. We hear from leading experts on what this shift means for today's workforce and for young people preparing for life after university, as everyone adapts to stay relevant in a digital age.

What Jobs Will AI Leave Us?

AI Decoded examines Sam Altman's vision for an era of artificial superintelligence. The Open AI CEO is calling for a new kind of social contract - an 'AI New Deal' - arguing that unprecedented technological power will require rethinking how the benefits are shared, including ideas such as wealth redistribution and even taxes on robots.

Do robots need to pay tax?

The AI revolution demands vast amounts of electricity. New data centres powering the next generation of artificial intelligence can use as much energy as a small city. Last year, the world's biggest tech firms spent more than 400 billion dollars expanding this infrastructure and demand is still growing. But there's a problem. In the United States, four in ten data centre projects planned for this year face serious delays, and increasingly the public are raising concerns about living next door to these colossal digital factories.

How Do We Power the AI of the Future?

AI Decoded speaks to leading tech podcaster Scott Galloway about the growing controversy surrounding Anthropic's latest AI model, Claude Mythos. During testing, the system uncovered thousands of hidden vulnerabilities in the software underpinning most of the world's computers - prompting Anthropic to decide it was too dangerous to release. The company says Mythos can outperform humans at certain hacking and cyber security tasks, raising fresh concerns among regulators, lawmakers and financial institutions about the risks to global digital infrastructure.

The AI Too Dangerous to Release

AI Decoded examines a dramatic week for Elon Musk that could reshape the future of artificial intelligence. A US court has rejected Musk's claims against OpenAI, bringing a long-running feud with co-founder Sam Altman into sharp focus and offering a rare glimpse inside one of the world's most influential AI companies. At the same time, SpaceX is preparing for what could be the largest stock market listing in history - a move that may value the company at up to $1.75 trillion and make Musk the world's first human trillionaire.

From Zero to Trillion-Dollar Hero?

The FIFA 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever - spanning three countries, 48 teams, 104 matches, and an audience of billions. Now, for the first time, artificial intelligence will sit at the heart of the tournament. From sharper offside decisions to real-time digital replicas of all 16 stadiums, organisers will use AI to monitor crowds, improve safety, and manage the event from a single command centre. For fans, both in the stadium and at home, it promises an entirely new way to experience the game. So will more AI really improve the game? Or risk taking something away from it? Join AI Decoded as we explore whether technology can truly enhance football - and what fans actually want from the future of the sport.

Young people were told artificial intelligence would make them sharper, faster, more creative - and more employable. But for many, that promise now feels more complicated. From students leaning on chatbots to write essays to graduates sending out hundreds of AI-assisted job applications - only to be filtered out by algorithms on the other side - artificial intelligence is no longer a future story. Join AI Decoded as we ask: Is AI empowering the next generation - or quietly undermining it?

As governments and businesses confront their reliance on US tech giants, AI Decoded explores whether Britain can build its own AI future - and how quickly it must act.

Now, a sudden decision from Washington is sending shockwaves through the global AI industry, restricting access to some of America's most advanced systems - even for its allies. For UK companies, it raises a stark question: what happens when the technology you depend on is no longer available?

Presenter Marc Cieslak is joined by Yang Li of East London startup Cosine, now racing to build a 'sovereign' British alternative as demand surges following the US clampdown. Bloomberg's Katrina Manson also joins to unpack the national security stakes, alongside co-host Stephanie Hare.

Britain’s AI catch-up race

The race between America and China to lead the world in artificial intelligence is reshaping the global balance of power. But behind the headlines, a hidden conflict is unfolding.

Join AI Decoded as we examine the seizure of $13 million worth of advanced AI chips allegedly bound for China, and Anthropic's claim that Alibaba carried out the largest known AI 'distillation attack' in history. As nations and tech giants compete for supremacy, the battle for AI is increasingly being fought in the shadows.

Who will win the race for AI dominance, and how far will they go to get there?

The Shadow War for AI Dominance

AI can write, code, plan and problem-solve in seconds. But as we hand more tasks over to machines, what happens to our own skills?

In this episode, AI Decoded investigates whether AI is enhancing human intelligence or quietly eroding it. From doctors and software engineers to students growing up with AI tutors, we explore new research suggesting that reliance on AI could affect critical thinking, expertise and decision-making.

Joining Marc are leading paediatric neurosurgeon Owase Jeelani, digital transformation researcher Dr Tapani Rinta-Kahila and AI Decoded co-host Dr Stephanie Hare.

Are We Losing Our Minds to AI?

AI Decoded explores the growing backlash against artificial intelligence. As fears of job losses spread through the tech industry and protests against AI data centres gather momentum, we ask whether the promises of an AI-powered future are starting to unravel. Plus, could advanced AI one day become conscious, and if it does, what responsibilities would we have towards it?

Presenter Marc Cieslak is joined by digital rights activist Cory Doctorow, AI entrepreneur Priya Lakhani and academic Dr Ella Hafermalz to unpack the biggest questions facing AI today.

Are We Creating Conscious Machines?

AI Decoded asks whether the AI revolution is delivering on its promises.

Companies and organisations are spending vast sums on artificial intelligence after being promised AI will transform productivity, improve efficiency and unlock entirely new ways of working.

Yet a growing number of investors and analysts are asking a simple question: where's the proof?

Research suggests only a small percentage of enterprise AI projects are producing measurable value. Businesses have bought the software, invested in licences and launched pilot projects, but many are still struggling to turn that investment into meaningful results.

So is AI failing to live up to expectations? Or are companies simply approaching adoption the wrong way.

AI in the Workplace: Is It Paying Off?

China can build a robot that runs faster than Usain Bolt. So why can't it reliably empty a dishwasher? We explore the gap between what AI can think and what robots can actually do.

China’s Robot Revolution

Critics have labelled them 'pervert glasses', lawsuits have raised privacy concerns and some venues have banned them. Yet for many visually impaired users, smart glasses are proving transformative.

AI Smart Glasses: Fear, Privacy and Promise

Has the AI industry finally recognised the dangers of the technology it is building? We examine the growing debate over AI safety, regulation and control.

AI Armageddon

Has Donald Trump just rebranded AI? This week, the US president declared that artificial intelligence sounds too fake and should be renamed super intelligence instead.

Trump renames AI as 'Super Intelligence'

Meta has launched Muse, a new AI assistant designed to watch, learn and act on your behalf. But is it a helpful digital companion, or the latest step in Big Tech's push into our personal lives?

Is Muse Meta's new 'AI Trojan Horse'?

Join our AI Decoded team as we unpack and explore the most eye-catching stories from the world of artificial intelligence.

The Great AI Gold Rush

Seasons2

Season 2 Episodes22

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