BBC Inside Science
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Radio 4,·10 Sep 2026,·28 mins
Available for 27 days
Is AI really plotting against us? In a week where an Anthropic researcher believes there is more than a 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans' we're delving deeper into the capabilities of AI agents. Tom Whipple is joined by Alex Mallen, from Redwood Research, the team whose recent investigation exposed the surprising, weird, and worrying scale of a website hack conducted by OpenAI agents. Is this the most important story we will ever cover on Inside Science? Or is this all just credulous sci fi hype? Professor Stuart Russell helps us unpick how we might align AI with humanity’s hopes. Plus, science journalist Caroline Steel has trawled the news to bring us the science stories you might have missed. This week Caroline discusses how AI has allegedly helped solve a Millennium Prize maths problem and why planetary scientists are turning their attention to a shrinking Mercury. To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk, search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University. Presenter: Tom Whipple Producers: Alex Mansfield, Katie Tomsett, Tabitha Taylor-Buck Editor: Ilan Goodman Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
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BBC Inside Science broadcast an episode examining three scientific topics. The US military announced plans to screen service personnel aged 30 and older for testosterone deficiency, with voluntary hormone replacement therapy offered to those identified with low levels. The episode included expert discussion on this policy. Additionally, marine biologists documented previously unobserved collaborative behaviour in orcas interacting with dead sunfish. The episode also covered recent developments in artificial intelligence and mathematical research.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.
Find out how to listen to other BBC stations
Radio 4,·10 Sep 2026,·28 mins
Available for 27 days
Is AI really plotting against us? In a week where an Anthropic researcher believes there is more than a 10% chance AI 'could kill all humans' we're delving deeper into the capabilities of AI agents. Tom Whipple is joined by Alex Mallen, from Redwood Research, the team whose recent investigation exposed the surprising, weird, and worrying scale of a website hack conducted by OpenAI agents. Is this the most important story we will ever cover on Inside Science? Or is this all just credulous sci fi hype? Professor Stuart Russell helps us unpick how we might align AI with humanity’s hopes. Plus, science journalist Caroline Steel has trawled the news to bring us the science stories you might have missed. This week Caroline discusses how AI has allegedly helped solve a Millennium Prize maths problem and why planetary scientists are turning their attention to a shrinking Mercury. To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk, search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University. Presenter: Tom Whipple Producers: Alex Mansfield, Katie Tomsett, Tabitha Taylor-Buck Editor: Ilan Goodman Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Read the full story at BBC ↗
BBC Inside Science episode aired 23 July 2026, approximately 28 minutes US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced military screening for testosterone deficiency in personnel aged 30 and older Voluntary hormone replacement therapy offered to those with low testosterone levels This screening aims to ensure 'a healthy, capable, and decisively dominant fighting force' Episode featured Professor Joe Herbert discussing testosterone policy implications Marine biologist Kathryn Ayres described newly observed orca behaviour involving collaborative interaction with dead sunfish Discussion included whether this behaviour functions as teaching or play Mathematician Kit Yates discussed AI capabilities and resolution of an 87-year-old mathematics conjecture
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- BBC Inside Science episode from 23 July 2026 covers US military testosterone screening and hormone replacement therapy for personnel aged 30+
- Episode includes discussion of newly observed orca behaviour involving collaborative interaction with dead sunfish
- Programme also features segment on AI capabilities and mathematics conjecture resolution