In this programme we hear three thoughtful perspectives on the threat digital technologies pose for democracy. Henry Farrell from Johns Hopkins University argues disinformation must be tackled at a group level, not an individual one. Philosopher, John Tasioulas, says modern representative democracy is too easily corrupted by big tech. And AI specialist, Marcus Beard, introduces us to the phenomenon he calls "slopaganda". Guests Professor John Tasioulas — ethicist and immediate former Director of the Institute for Ethics and AI, University of Oxford Professor Henry Farrell — Political Scientist, Johns Hopkins University Marcus Beard — Digital, disinformation and AI specialist, Fenimore Harper Communications Further information Henry Farrell - We're getting the social media crisis wrong John Tasioulas - The classical key to the AI revolution

Long before AI dominated the media hype-cycle, self-driving cars surfed the hyperbolic wave. But fully automated vehicles have now been a long time in development, long enough that we've decided it's time for an update. So, how advanced is the technology and where is the demand? We also find out about consumer attitudes toward the "driver-assist" technologies that are now routinely fitted into modern cars. Surprise, surprise, it seems not everyone wants to be told how to drive. Guests Associate Professor Abdesalam Soudi — Sociolinguist, Department of Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh Professor Michael Milford — Director of the Centre for Robotics, Queensland University of Technology Associate Professor Milad Haghani — Principal Fellow in Urban Resilience & Mobility, University of Melbourne Sönke Iwersen — Co-author of "The Tesla Files". Journalist for German business newspaper Handelsblatt

While technology platforms increasingly dictate the way we write and converse, language is being modified to fight back, to subvert the platforms. In this show we examine the growth of "algospeak". And if you want to know how we'll all be communicating in the future, just listen to the way teenage girls speak, because young women lead the ongoing development of language. Original broadcast on July 7, 2024 Guests Dr James Cohen – Assistant Professor, Media Studies, Queens College, City University of New York Dr Sali Tagliamonte – Professor of linguistics and Chair of the Department of Linguistics, University of Toronto Philip Seargeant – Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies, Open University UK Further information Philip Seargeant's book "The Future Of Language"

We build more and more homes for growing urban populations. But doing so without providing much needed amenities doesn't serve our suburbs and the people who live in them. It risks confounding social isolation and urban sprawl. There's also climate change to consider. In a heating world, how do we plan our suburbs to deal with higher temperatures? Are the cities and suburbs of the future going to be livable for our children and our children's children? Rob Kelly investigates Guests Andrew Crowe — Demographer for Australian Bureau of Statistics Dr Annette Kroen — Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University Professor Sebastian Pfautsch — Professor of Urban Planning and Management at Western Sydney University and co-lead in People-centred Sustainable Precinct Design at the Urban Transformations Research Centre Dylan Reid — Urbanist, editor, writer and co-founder of Spacing Magazine

The remote Canadian island of Oikiqtaruk is disappearing fast, but its cultural and environmental heritage is being captured in digital form. We talk to those involved in the project about its ambition and their success to date. Also, recreating long lost cultural artefacts. For the Madrid-based organisation Factum Foundation it's a journey of reconnection — a way that future generations can celebrate and cherish the character of their past. Guests Richard Gordon — Senior Park Ranger, Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, Canada Professor Peter Dawson — Dept. of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary Adam Lowe — Director of Factum Arte and founder of Factum Foundation for Digital Technology in Conservation Further information Factum Foundation Digitally Preserving Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park

Australian rooftops are resplendent with solar panels, but sustainability expert, Martin Brueckner, warns the popular notion that we're rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels is deceptive. When you add Australia's fossil fuels exports to our domestic energy usage, he says, it's clear that "decarbonisation is yet to begin in earnest". Also, whatever happened to the dream that Australia could become a world leader in Green Hydrogen production? Guests Alison Reeve — Energy and Climate change Program Director, Grattan Institute Adjunct Associate Professor Madoc Sheehan — Researcher, James Cook University Professor Matthew Hill — Head of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University Professor Martin Brueckner — Pro Vice Chancellor Sustainability, Murdoch University

Globalisation isn’t what it used to be thanks to the legacy of the Covid-19 lockdown and, more recently, Donald Trump’s weaponisation of tariffs. But while it’s often given a bad rap, globalisation is about more than just trade, it’s also about the international exchange of ideas and talent. So, is it dying, withering or simply transforming?  Listen to Future Tense - How to start your own golden age Guests Professor Richard Baldwin – International Economics, IMD Business School, Switzerland  Professor Nick Bisley – International relations, La Trobe University  Guy Miller – Chief Market Strategist and Economist, Zurich Insurance Group  Ariel Kastner - Head of Geopolitical Agenda, World Economic Forum 

The European Union is implementing a groundbreaking new tax: a carbon border tax. It's meant to prevent distortions between countries with differing emissions standards and so to reduce emissions. But will it work? The same can be asked about the International Maritime Organisation's proposed new carbon levy on shipping. Also on the show, an update on the Great Green Wall — China's mass-tree-planting project; and measuring stress in trees to improve resilience. Guests Associate Professor Anna Trugman — Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara Honorary Professor Peter Bridgewater — Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies, Australian National University Professor Michael Brear — Director, Melbourne Energy Institute, University of Melbourne Dr Sanjay Patnaik — Director, Center on Regulation and Markets, Brookings Institute

Existential risks to human life abound, from the threat of nuclear Armageddon; to an uninhabitable planet; or an AI-induced apocalypse. Understanding such risks and how we can best respond to them is the preoccupation of S. J. Beard. But the Cambridge University researcher also speaks of "existential hope", a way of addressing our fears without the doom and despair. Also, Monash University's, Neil Selwyn, makes the call for what he terms "digital degrowth" — decoupling our online world from the shackles of consumer capitalism. Guests Dr S. J. Beard — Senior Research Associate, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, Cambridge University Professor Neil Selwyn — Faculty of Education, Monash University Further information S.J. Beard - Existential Hope Neil Selwyn - Digital Degrowth: Radically Rethinking our Digital Futures

We're now halfway through the UN-designated "Ocean Decade" — new research initiatives have been launched, and global cooperation has been strengthened as scientists work to learn more about our oceans and to harness their potential in the fight against adverse climate change. But there are still questions to be answered: How firm are the commitments made under the Ocean Decade arrangement? Why are many countries still lagging behind in ratifying the "High Seas" treaty? And what will a reduction in US funding mean for ongoing ocean research? Also, the ocean-going drones deployed to improve climate monitoring; and a new system for helping ships navigate more efficiently. Guests Julian Barbiere — Head of the Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO; also Ocean Decade Coordinator Dr Meghan Cronin — Research Oceanographer, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory; and co-chair of the Observing Air-Sea Interactions Strategy (OASIS), an endorsed programme of the UN Ocean Decade Dr Shane Keating — Associate professor, University of New South Wales; also founder of the company CounterCurrent Dr Sarah Lothian — Senior lecturer and Academic Barrister, Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong Further information UN Ocean Decade Sarah Lothian — Marine Conservation and International Law, Legal Instruments for Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction

Humans have an evolutionary bias toward seeking convenience, experts say. But what happens when the desire for convenience becomes a dominant social and economic expectation? Future Tense explores the hidden costs of convenience for the environment and the economy. Making things too easy can in fact be bad for you. Guests Alison Angus — Head of Practice – Innovation Research, Euromonitor Dr Paul Harrison — Director of MBA Programme, Deakin University. Unit Chair of Consumer Behaviour, Department of Marketing, Deakin Business School Sloan Wilkins — Founder and Financial Coach, Everyday Money Live Dr Alex Curmi — Consultant psychiatrist Chris Williams — Founder and Chief Executive, ISB Global

Policing has always embraced new technologies and Artificial Intelligence is, of course, the flavour of the month. Working out when and why it should be used is crucial, according to law enforcement specialists. What’s also important is ensuring appropriate human oversight.  Future Tense - The creeping militarisation of our police Guests Dr Marion Oswald – Professor of Law, Northumbria University  Philip Lukens – Former Police Chief, Alliance, Nebraska. Data-driven policing analyst  Dr Nick Evans – Lecturer and researcher, Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies, University of Tasmania  Dr Terry Goldsworthy – Associate Professor in Criminology, Bond University

How real is the link between Artificial Intelligence and increased productivity? Jon Whittle from the CSIRO, one of Australia's leading science agencies, has been examining the latest research. He helps us sort facts from fiction. Also, literacy and problem-solving skills have taken a dive in many developed countries — could an over-reliance on technology be part of the problem? And why understanding the literary style "Magic Realism" could help in developing better regulation for AI. Guests Jovan Kurbalija — Executive Director, Diplo Foundation Professor Jon Whittle — Data61 Director, CSIRO Andreas Schleicher — Director for Education and Skills, OECD

Cities across the world are beginning to sink — some by as much as 10 centimetres a year. A recent study suggests that more than a third of urban Chinese resident now live in a sinking city. The cause is often ascribed to climate change, but is there something else at play? Could our thirst for water actually be the culprit? Also, how much do our urban environments contribute to the heating of the planet? A call to finally get serious about the climate impacts of city design. Guests Jeff Goodell — Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council. New York Times Best Selling author of "The Water Will Come" Dr Philip Minderhoud — Assistant Professor and Veni laureate at the University of Wageningen Associate Professor Anna Hullimann — Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne Further information Jeff Goodell — The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities and the Remaking of the Civilized World  Anna Hurlimann — Integrating Climate Change Action Across the Built Environment: A Guide for Transformative Action 

We face multiple looming demographic crises — and our responses seemingly contradict each other.  A rapidly aging population means that we need more children to be born. But it's foreseeable that resources on Earth simply can't sustain many more people. How can we solve this conundrum? Original broadcast on May 22, 2022 Guests Dr Stuart Gietel Basten — Professor of Social Science and Policy, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Dr Marco Amati — Associate professor of International Planning, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University Deborah Devis — Science Communicator Dr Anumitra Mirti — Senior Associate — Sustainability, Beca Professor Nick Parr — Demographer, Macquarie University

South Korea is a test case in how to maintain democracy against sustained pressure from dictatorship. The innovative and entrepreneurial country lives in the shadow of China and Russia, and its capital Seoul lies only 50km from the North Korean border. It hasn't been easy, but the difficulties South Korea faces and the way it deals with them could prove invaluable for other regional neighbours in responding to future economic and military aggression. Journalist Matt Smith has this special report… Guests Dr Troy Lee Brown — Research Fellow, Defense and Security Institute, University of Western Australia Professor Bec Strating — Director, La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University Dr Mike Bosack — Special Advisor for Government Relations, Yokosuka Council for Asia-Pacific Studies Dongkeun Lee — Policy Fellow, Asia-Pacific Leadership Network Dr Duyeon Kim — Adjunct Senior Fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Program, Centre for New American Security

Suffering internal division and stymied by geopolitical bullying, the United Nations is facing a future of diminishing influence. As the organisation marks its 80th birthday, it's also dealing with a serious financial shortfall brought on by both China and the United States, its two biggest donors. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has launched a major internal reform programme, but there are questions about whether his approach will rescue the global body or just cause further damage. Guests Associate Professor Chris Ogden — Director of Global Studies, University of Auckland Eugene Chen — Senior Fellow, Center on International Cooperation, New York University Richard Gowan — Director of UN Affairs, International Crisis Group Roland Rich — former Australian ambassador. Director of the United Nations and Global Policy Master of Arts program, Rutgers University

Synthetic biologists are hard at work developing artificial biological molecules as the first step toward developing a mirror cell that would be immune from infection. If they're successful, it could transform the world of medicine. But while the potential of mirror life is great, so too are the risks. There are warnings of a catastrophic impact if the cells can't be controlled. And that's prompted calls for a moratorium on the research. Guests Associate Professor Kate Adamala — Synthetic biologist and professor of genetics, University of Minnesota Professor Andrew Ellington — Center for Systems and Synthetic Biology, University of Texas at Austin Professor Heather Douglas — Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University Ajay Kshatriya — CEO Aizen Therapeutics  

What will Earth look like when humans become extinct? What "technofossils" will paleontologists of the future unearth and no doubt ponder over? Will we be remembered for our achievements or merely our rubbish? Also, which animals might rise to fill our role at the top of the pecking order? And is the future of live music really as dire as many predict? Guests Professor Sarah Gabbott — Paleobiologist, University of Leicester Joanna Thompson — Freelance science journalist based in New York Dr Christen Cornell — Research Fellow and Manager of Research Partnerships, Creative Australia Further information Listening In Research series

History has many lessons for how to develop a successful civilisation. The trick is to understand the patterns that lead to optimism and innovation. So, where do we rate in the 21st century? Also, why all history is revisionist and why a healthy sense of revisionism drives a deeper understanding of the past, present and future. Guests Johan Norberg — author and historian. Senior Fellow, Cato institute in Washington DC Associate Professor Sarah Percy — Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland Dr James Banner — Historian and co-founder of the National Humanities Alliance