too long didn’t read The Alan Turing Institute

This episode Jonah and Smera explore the alarming rise of election misinformation fueled by AI deepfakes featuring insights from expert Megan Hughes of CETaS. We also dive into the latest robotics breakthroughs and the controversial use of generative AI for harmful pornographic content.

In this special episode ahead of series two, Smera and Jonah give us a whistle-stop tour of the UK’s national showcase of data science and AI - AI UK. Guests include Michael Wooldridge (University of Oxford), Doug Gurr (The Alan Turing Insitute), Rebecca Cosgriff (NHS England), Stephen Meers (DSIT) and Jake Elwes (ZiZi Project).

In this, the final episode of this season of tldr, Smera and Jonah delve into their post bag and attempt answer some listeners’ questions. Also, Jonah asks Smera about some of the stories that didn't make the cut for this series.  
With new developments in artificial intelligence happening at lightning speed, it can be hard to keep up. That's where too long didn't read comes in. We know you're busy, so we'll get right to the main points on how breakthroughs in machine learning, neural networks, and other AI systems could impact your life. No AI degree required! We're not here for hype or fear mongering. Just balanced coverage to keep you up-to-date. Think of us as your shortcut to AI literacy. 
Join us as we read between the lines on artificial intelligence every week right here on too long didn't read. 
 
Episode Sources
 
Mike Wooldridge Turing Lecture
https://youtu.be/2kSl0xkq2lM?si=tzAi0sAqftQICLdq
 
Julia Shaw on Life Scientific 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014p73 
 
Speaker knows you’re drunk  
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/smart-tech-can-use-tongue-twisters-to-tell-if-youre-drunk-ttf6203k7 
 
AI Headteacher 
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/abigail-bailey-schools-ai-principle-headteacher 
 
Less sperm 
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231102/Study-links-heavy-mobile-phone-use-to-lower-sperm-count.aspx#:~:text=Men%20using%20mobile%20phones%20at,in%20this%20group%20of%20men. 
 

In this special festive episode Smera and Jonah are recruited by Santa and his elves to discuss how AI could increase productivity for the festive friends at this busy time of year. Jonah also asks Smera all about her professional journey that led to her becoming a researcher in Data Justice and Global Ethical Futures.  
With new developments in artificial intelligence happening at lightning speed, it can be hard to keep up. That's where too long didn't read comes in. We know you're busy, so we'll get right to the main points on how breakthroughs in machine learning, neural networks, and other AI systems could impact your life. No AI degree required! We're not here for hype or fear mongering. Just balanced coverage to keep you up-to-date. Think of us as your shortcut to AI literacy. 
Join us as we read between the lines on artificial intelligence every week right here on too long didn't read. 
 
Episode Sources
https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/hello-christmas 
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/05/technology/calm-jimmy-stewart-ai.html
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20181219-what-to-do-with-your-leftover-christmas-food 
 

In this week’s episode, Jessie stands in for Jonah and alongside Smera, the pair explore new AI-worshipping religions, the ever-growing concerns around children and online pornography, and the emergence of a new kind of digital currency.  
 
With new developments in artificial intelligence happening at lightning speed, it can be hard to keep up. That's where too long didn't read comes in. We know you're busy, so we'll get right to the main points on how breakthroughs in machine learning, neural networks, and other AI systems could impact your life. No AI degree required! We're not here for hype or fear mongering. Just balanced coverage to keep you up-to-date. Think of us as your shortcut to AI literacy.
Join us as we read between the lines on artificial intelligence every week right here on too long didn't read.
 
Episode sources
Religion 
Gods in the machine? The rise of artificial intelligence may result in new religions (theconversation.com) 
Neil McArthur, AI Worship as a New Form of Religion - PhilPapers 
‘Way of the Future’: Former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski relaunches AI church - Technology News (wionews.com) 
Inside Artificial Intelligence's First Church | WIRED 
https://europeanacademyofreligionandsociety.com/news/the-way-of-the-future-is-now-a-thing-of-the-past/  
 
Porn 
UK porn watchers could have faces scanned - BBC News  
AI Fake Nudes Are Out of Control. These Victims Are Fighting Back - Bloomberg 
https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.01963  
Turing Lecture: Regulating Unreality (Deepfakes, revenge-pornography & fake news) - YouTube 
Growing up with pornography: advice for parents and schools | Children's Commissioner for England (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk) 
Implementing the Online Safety Act: Protecting children from online pornography - Ofcom 
 
Finance 
Digital pound plans should proceed with caution, say MPs - BBC News 
The digital pound | Bank of England 
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/cryptocurrencies-digital-dollars-and-future-money  
https://www.omfif.org/2023/04/are-cbdcs-a-ticking-timebomb-for-commercial-banks/  
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/cbdctracker/  
https://youtu.be/fpb-qJv6dBs?si=uW-FpfJ24ie6gNqX 
https://youtu.be/8u8qZT33DX4?si=GO2dtgLD98Yimz_9  
https://youtu.be/fpb-qJv6dBs
Good news (for some) 
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12716977/ai-chatgpt-predicts-world-vegan-gen-z-millennials.html 

In this week’s episode, Jonah and Smera tackle internet shutdowns, drawing from recent global events to understand the wide-reaching impacts of disconnectivity; Jonah gets philosophical (again) discussing the latest technology being used to analyse art and Smera warns of the dangers of trusting a chatbot with our mental health. This show comes with a trigger warning, as the pair discuss mental health and what treatment could look like in an AI-driven society.
 
With new developments in artificial intelligence happening at lightning speed, it can be hard to keep up. That's where too long didn't read comes in. We know you're busy, so we'll get right to the main points on how breakthroughs in machine learning, neural networks, and other AI systems could impact your life. No AI degree required! We're not here for hype or fear mongering. Just balanced coverage to keep you up-to-date. Think of us as your shortcut to AI literacy.
Join us as we read between the lines on artificial intelligence every week right here on too long didn't read.
 
Email us podcast@turing.ac.uk and find us on Instagram @theturinginst
 
Episode sources
 
 
STORY 1 - Internet Shutdowns 
https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/category/press-releases/article/israel-government-to-shut-down-critical-media-alleged-to-undermine-national-security 
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiJm_fp-8WCAxUMQkEAHfNKAIIQxfQBKAB6BAgPEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wired.com%2Fstory%2Fisrael-gaza-internet-blackouts-weapon%2F&usg=AOvVaw1G8PO_rwUgVvGrB86RmxEE&opi=89978449  
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/feb/28/internet-shutdowns-record-number-countries-2022-report  
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiop_HQ-8WCAxWBVUEAHYAHCfkQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.article19.org%2Fresources%2Ftechtonic-internet-shutdowns-as-a-tool-of-control%2F&usg=AOvVaw1IO1xc5_ye6PC5Y4cPzdNp&opi=89978449  
https://www.accessnow.org/internet-shutdowns-2022/  
https://chat.openai.com/share/71bd3d50-086c-475c-8818-fb51fcc6f047 
https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/09/09/1035237/internet-shutdowns-censorship-exponential-jigsaw-google/ 
https://www.amnestyusa.org/updates/is-internet-access-a-human-right/ 
https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights 
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/oct/18/instagram-palestine-posts-censorship-accusations 
https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/how-israel-is-shutting-down-the-internet-in-gaza/#:~:text=Access%20Now's%20new%20report%2C%20Palestine,to%20information%20is%20most%20vital. 
https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/06/14/no-internet-means-no-work-no-pay-no-food/internet-shutdowns-deny-access-basic 
https://www.techwontsave.us/episode/194_the_information_war_in_gaza_w_marwa_fatafta 
 
 
Story 2 ART 
BIMM 
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/sagaftra-david-jones-space-writers-guild-of-america-hollywood-b2455985.html 
https://www.bimm.ac.uk/ai-labs/ 
https://www.soundspheremag.com/news/bimm-university-launch-ai_labs-new-course-preparing-students-for-ai-in-the-creative-industries/ 
SCROLL 
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/12/researchers-use-ai-to-read-word-on-ancient-scroll-burned-by-vesuvius  
BRUSH STROKES 
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03604-3 
The Book of Trespass 
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/aug/10/the-book-of-trespass-by-nick-hayes-review-a-trespassers-radical-manifesto 
INDUS CIVILIZATION
https://www.worldhistory.org/india/ 
https://restofworld.org/2022/indus-translation-ai-code-script/
https://www.wired.com/2009/04/indusscript/
 
Story 3 – Health 
Samartians Radar 
https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/internet-suicide/samaritans-radar/#:~:text=This%20feedback%20included%20concerns%20about,and%