Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives.
ADVERTISEMENTFrom AI regulation and digital sovereignty to blockchain and net neutrality, we delve into the big questions shaping Europe's digital future. But we don't stop at talking - we hit the streets.
Our team explores how these technologies and policies impact Europeans' lives. With clear explanations, Q&As, and lively debates, our English-language podcast is a must-listen for those interested in the impact of technology on European society.
Stay ahead of the curve! New episodes are released every other Wednesday.
Listen to all Euronews Tech Talks episodes
1 - Generative AI: The Creature, the Tool and the Plum cake
In the months since, ChatGPT emerged, Europeans have become newly empowered. In this first episode of Euronews Tech Talks, an Italian programmer delegates code-writing, a French artist reinvents her practice, a Cypriot student brainstorms, and a German teacher ignites minds.
But as the AI revolution unfolds, and the stuff of sci-fi becomes reality, we wonder if we’re in for a happy ending, or something else.
2 - Generative AI: Terminator's Nuclear Winter or Wall-E's Robotic Paradise?
The risk of apocalyptic scenarios and human extinction has been an unavoidable part of the conversation around AI programmes like ChatGPT since their release. But are these concerns being blown out of proportion?
In this episode, we hear from two experts: Dr. Sabine Hauert, a robotics-specialised scientist who envisions a future reminiscent of Wall-E rather than Terminator, and Dr. Matthew Glanville, an education-focused mathematician who is less concerned about students cheating than he is about them underutilising the technology.
3 -Q&A: Will Generative AI surpass human minds?
How is ChatGPT affecting the workforce? Can it tell us where to buy illegal drugs? Will artificial intelligence become smarter than humans?
Our team attended VivaTech, one of Europe's largest tech and start-up fairs in Paris, to gather concerns and questions surrounding generative AI technology. Then we asked experts to respond to those queries.
4 - Blockchain: Crypto Valley
Cryptocurrency has been talked about for years. You might even know someone who has invested in Bitcoin or one of the thousands of other ‘cryptos’ that exist. But has cryptocurrency and its blockchain technology fully landed in Europe?
In this episode, we look at Europe's so-called “Crypto Valley”, discuss trust in decentralised banking systems and see how renewable energy sources are changing Bitcoin mining in Europe.
5 - Blockchain: What are Web 3 and NFTs and do we actually need them?
Blockchain is more than just Bitcoin. It has applications across various domains, including paying taxes and creating art. One of its most ambitious proposals is a censorship-free Internet, where our privacy is not compromised while browsing.
We hear from two tech experts in this episode of Euronews Tech Talks: Maria Paula Fernández believes that Web 3 holds the promise of a superior Internet and Dr Alex Preda discusses whether it is already a reality or still in the realm of utopia.
6 - Q&A: Will blockchain ever become mainstream?
If all their processes are so secret and protected, how can we ensure blockchain is not used illegally? What is blockchain competing against? What is the purpose of Web 3? And how much do blockchain technologies pollute?
Our team attended one of the biggest theatre festivals in Europe, the Festival d'Avignon, and answered these questions while exploring blockchain through theatre. Please take your seat and enjoy this far-fetched comparison.
7 - Space Exploration: Very down to Earth
It's been more than 50 years since humans first stepped onto the Moon—a landmark moment that remains unmatched. But even though we’re not all taking weekend trips to the lunar surface, don't think for a second that space exploration has slowed down. In fact, it's picked up steam.
In this episode, we're journeying through Spain, France, Germany, and the UK to uncover how the work being done up there is making our lives better down here.
8 - To the Moon and beyond, with astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and scientist Angelique van Ombergen
“Whenever we expand our capabilities, we want to go places.”
ADVERTISEMENTWhile in conversation with ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and Lead for Life Sciences, Angelique Van Ombergen, India made history by becoming the first country to land near the lunar south pole.
With that space exploration milestone in the backdrop, we envisioned a near future with the Lunar Gateway already operational, serving as the first international station on the moon, as we delved into a captivating topic: Can humans feasibly hibernate for long-duration space travel?
9 - Q&A: Life exists outside of Earth with astronaut Matthias Maurer
Will humans ever be born on the Moon? Until then, ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer answers questions about life on the International Space Station, humanity's last frontier. From daily routines to his deepest fears, from his diet to his daring first spacewalk. The questions come from France's largest planetarium at Vulcania Theme Park.
10 - Who is actually in the metaverse these days?
Leonida is a 13-year-old, and almost every day, he enters a metaverse. There, his avatar meets the avatars of some of his friends in the real world, and together, they travel from world to world. Does this mean that THE metaverse already exists? And if so, why do we want to be there?
11 - What am I missing out in the metaverse?
If you're not a teenager deeply immersed in Roblox, Minecraft, or Fortnite, you might be wondering what you're missing out on in the metaverse.
ADVERTISEMENTWe spoke with three experts in the field of virtual reality (VR) education: Matt Sanders from Meta, Christopher Mallet from Bodyswaps, and Alexander Nick from GoStudent. They elaborated on the benefits of acquiring diverse skills in a VR environment, ranging from learning a foreign language to honing job interview preparation.
12 - Q&A: Will we spend more time in the metaverse than in real life?
Do you want to experience Hell or Purgatory? We put on our virtual reality glasses at Italy’s Museum of Cinema in Turin to learn about the metaverse. Will the metaverse soon be able to replicate all the features of the real world? This is one of the key questions we asked experts to learn more about how to access the metaverse and the risks it could bring as it evolves.
13 - Almendralejo: When deepfakes are used to undress teenagers
It was a quiet Sunday when Spanish journalist Marian Rosado was browsing her Instagram account and suddenly stumbled upon an unusual Instagram live broadcast.
The well-known gynecologist Miriam Al Adib was revealing a very personal and shocking situation: her 14-year-old daughter just told her somebody used an app to take her photo from social media and made it look like she was naked.
This is just the beginning of a scandal that placed a quiet town in southern Spain in the spotlight.
ADVERTISEMENT14 - Seeing is no longer believing
Identity theft, non-consensual porn content, scams, misinformation...Is it possible to use AI deepfake technology for something other than causing harm?
We speak with John Egan, the CEO of L'Atelier BNP Paribas, in an attempt to find some answers: “It's like talking about knives. If we're only discussing knife crime, we're not going to talk about how knives are used in the kitchen for cooking, right?"
15 - Q&A: Fake news isn't new, deepfake news is
How can we protect ourselves from being deepfaked? Can a single photo published on social media ruin our lives? Is there a way to regulate it, or are we living in the Wild West? We posed these questions to experts in debunking fake news and privacy protection in AI.
16 - Are hackers criminal masterminds?
Is hacking illegal? How can it be harmful? And can it be beneficial for society?
Prepare for an exploration of human dilemmas in the digital realm through three notorious hacking cases in video game history.
ADVERTISEMENT17 - The Hydrogen Rush
It can be white, green, blue, pink or grey. It can be produced by natural gases, renewable energies, coal, nuclear power, and carbon capture. It stores and transports electricity. What is it? Hydrogen!
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and the European search for alternative energy sources, this chemical element has gained lots of attention. Some politicians and researchers even dare to describe it as the future fuel of Europe.
18 - Of Hydrogen-Powered Trucks, Flying Taxis and Cheese
The concept of trapping pure hydrogen in cells isn't just something out of a sci-fi movie anymore. Engineers are working hard on creating fuel cells for transportation that act like batteries, suitable for all sorts of vehicles like trucks.
In this episode, we chat with Michael Perschke, CEO of Quantron AG, about hydrogen-powered trucks and how he uses cheese metaphors to explain how they work.
19 - Q&A: Is it possible to heat my house with hydrogen?
The best-kept secret of Meucci, the Italian high school, is its green boiler. It's tucked away amidst the tall trees in its garden and a fenced concrete structure, but it has piqued the curiosity of its students about this promising new energy source.
ADVERTISEMENTTo answer their questions, we talk to Rosalinde van der Vlies, the Director of Clean Planet in DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission.
20 - The Europeans behind the world's first AI regulation
13 March 2024, Strasbourg: The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is about to announce the approval of the AI Act, the first Artificial Intelligence regulation in the world.
In this episode, we meet the authors: Brando Benifei and Dragos Tudorache. Together, they made history in the world of AI. Regulators worldwide will look to their text for inspiration.
21 - Should we accept the cookies?
Think about what you did yesterday with your phone. Did you look for an address? Did you order food? Did you read a newspaper? Did you listen to a podcast? Did you open an app or take a photo? It's all registered. Today, it's almost impossible to live without leaving a digital footprint.
How can we be sure this very long trail of data protects us and does not violate our privacy? In this special episode, we traveled to Vienna, the capital of Austria, to find answers at the Fundamental Rights Forum 2024.
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