BBC Inside Science
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Radio 4,·04 Jun 2026,·28 mins
Available for 13 days
Are we moving away from science as a strictly human endeavour? This is the view of Pushmeet Kohli, head of AI for Science at Google DeepMind. He joins Tom Whipple to discuss the use of the AI tool Co-Scientist as a collaborator in the lab, and the challenges in making Artificial Intelligence that works in science. Clare Bryant from the University of Cambridge also joins the conversation. And Steve Brusatte, Professor of Palaeontology at the University of Edinburgh, joins the program to talk about his new book, The Story of Birds, tracing a 150‑million‑year journey from small, feathered dinosaurs to the birds of today. Plus, science journalist Caroline Steel joins us to discuss the latest scientific discoveries that you might have missed. Presenter: Tom Whipple Producers: Dan Welsh and Kate White Production co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth Editor: Martin Smith
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BBC Inside Science explored the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and scientific research. The programme brought together Pushmeet Kohli, who leads AI initiatives for science at Google DeepMind, to discuss practical applications of AI collaboration tools in laboratory settings. Additional contributors included Cambridge researcher Clare Bryant, palaeontologist Steve Brusatte discussing avian evolutionary history over 150 million years, and science journalist Caroline Steel reviewing recent scientific developments. The core theme examined how scientific practice itself may be shifting as computational tools become integrated into research workflows.
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,·04 Jun 2026,·28 mins
Available for 13 days
Are we moving away from science as a strictly human endeavour? This is the view of Pushmeet Kohli, head of AI for Science at Google DeepMind. He joins Tom Whipple to discuss the use of the AI tool Co-Scientist as a collaborator in the lab, and the challenges in making Artificial Intelligence that works in science. Clare Bryant from the University of Cambridge also joins the conversation. And Steve Brusatte, Professor of Palaeontology at the University of Edinburgh, joins the program to talk about his new book, The Story of Birds, tracing a 150‑million‑year journey from small, feathered dinosaurs to the birds of today. Plus, science journalist Caroline Steel joins us to discuss the latest scientific discoveries that you might have missed. Presenter: Tom Whipple Producers: Dan Welsh and Kate White Production co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth Editor: Martin Smith
Read the full story at BBC ↗
BBC Inside Science aired on Radio 4 on 4 June 2026 The episode was 28 minutes long and available for 13 days Pushmeet Kohli, head of AI for Science at Google DeepMind, was interviewed The discussion focused on Co-Scientist, an AI tool used as a laboratory collaborator Clare Bryant from the University of Cambridge participated in the conversation Steve Brusatte, Professor of Palaeontology at the University of Edinburgh, discussed his book The Story of Birds, tracing 150 million years of avian evolution Science journalist Caroline Steel discussed recent scientific discoveries The episode examined whether science is moving away from being a strictly human endeavour
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- BBC Inside Science podcast (Radio 4, June 4, 2026) featured discussions on AI's role in scientific research
- Pushmeet Kohli from Google DeepMind discussed Co-Scientist, an AI tool designed to collaborate with researchers in laboratories
- The episode included perspectives on challenges in developing AI systems for scientific work, palaeontology's evolutionary history, and recent scientific discoveries