Married to the Machine: Living with AI

Lights, Camera, Algorithm?

In Autumn 2025, a TV production company called Particle 6, caused a bit of a storm by launching Tilly Norwood into the world. Young, attractive, eloquent? Tilly could be the acting world’s hot new thing. Tilly is an AI, and the industry wasn’t happy.  Prof Dave and `Steph meet Eline van der Velden, the creator of Tilly Norwood, to find out what it was like dealing with that reaction, where the TV and film industry is heading, and what the plans are for Tilly and the 'Tillyverse' now. Recording and editing by Stephanie Power Theme music by Matt Power Tilly Norwood Take The Lead, Particle 6 Productions: https://youtu.be/G7V2Biy3omw?si=56Yqls85TQeHIJJU

Electric Dreams: In Conversation With Eugene Evans

When we first started this podcast, I asked Prof Dave how, growing up in 1970s Toxteth and at a school that didn't even offer O levels, he'd got into computing in the first place. He said it was through computing magazines, but also because of a growing gaming industry in Liverpool. We found one of those games makers, Eugene Evans. And he agreed to talk to us. You know the history of Liverpool and football, Liverpool and music. But this story about a group of young men and boys making games and money (for a while at least) in the 80s, is not so often told. Special thanks to the National Video Game Museum in Sheffield, for supporting this episode. Recording and editing by Stephanie Power Music and mixing by Matt Power Further reading: Replay by Tristan Donovan Further viewing: Commercial Breaks: The Battle For Santa's Software (BBC 1984) An audio cue sheet is available on request.

AI May Take Our Jobs, But It Will Never Take Our Chocolate

Professor Dave and Stephanie spend a couple of days at the CIPD (Chartered Institute Of Personnel and Development) Future of Work Festival. We talk to festival goers, Giovanni Luperti, the founder of Humaans, and David D'Souza, Director of Profession at CIPD, and we get our headshots done! Recording and mixing by Stephanie Power Music by Matt Power

Inform, Educate, and Entertain: Reith 2.0

Who remembers the BBC's Computer Literacy Project from the 1980s? It was created to help prepare people in the UK for the massive and widespread adoption of computers. And here we are, looking at the massive and widespread adoption of AI. Professor Dave has had a brilliant idea, and we are asking the BBC's new Director General, to consider it. Reith 2.0 - a large language model, made by a trusted institution, to equip the UK population with the right AI skills for the future. Further reading: Susbstack report. and any coverage https://clp.bbcrewind.co.uk/history Presenters: Professor David Reid and Stephanie Power Recording, editing and mixing by Stephanie Power Music and additional material: Matt Power Married To The Machine: Living With AI is a news podcast, currently in proof of concept stage. It is a non-commercial entity. BBC Microcomputer Commercial: The Crowded Room from 1984, Directed by Terry Lovelock BBC Archive. Ceefax: A Communications Revolution 1975 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICoj8mxG0ww&t=1s Thanks to Mumsnet for permission to use part of the Rachel Reeves interview. https://www.mumsnet.com/i/rachel-reeves-mumsnet-asks

Inside The Misinformation Machine

In a departure from our usual style, we have devoted this episode to an interview with Sam Stockwell, Senior Researcher at the Turing Institute. He talks about the work of the Institute and a report they have recently written about how AI is used to spread misinformation after crisis events, like the Southport attacks. Futher reading: https://www.turing.ac.uk/news/new-report-calls-urgent-action-tackle-ai-information-threats-following-crisis-events Presenters: Professor David Reid and Stephanie Power Recording, editing and mixing: Stephanie Power Music: Matt Power Married To The Machine: Living With AI is a news podcast, currently in proof of concept stage. It is a non-commercial entity.