‘AI’: two letters that conjure a whirlwind of questions, speculation, and, for many, concern. But what exactly is artificial intelligence, or ‘AI’, and how does this connect to human behaviour and society? Join us as we peel back the layers of AI and go beyond the hype to uncover the human role behind the development and use of AI tools around the world. In the studio, our host Christine Wilson speaks to Dr Abeba Birhane, a cognitive scientist working on responsible and ethical AI at Trinity College Dublin. Meanwhile, our expert on-the-ground, Malik Afegbua, brings us his story from Lagos, Nigeria, where he is using generative AI to challenge the dominant perceptions of marginalised groups and drive inclusion through his art. In this conversation, Christine, Abeba, and Malik explore the humanity, biases, and imbalances of power behind the development and use of AI. Together, they ask: how can we steer technological advancement towards a future where AI is beneficial for everyone? Dive deeper: Abeba’s latest research paper is titled "Towards AI Accountability Infrastructure: Gaps and Opportunities in AI Audit Tooling’ (March 2024). The research won a distinguished paper award at SaTML. Read it here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.17861 Explore Malik’s Elder Series and learn more about his creative process:https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64260739 Learn about the use of AI tools in English language teaching and learning with the latest British Council report: https://teachingenglish.britishcouncil.org/artificial-intelligence-and-english-language-teaching-research-british-council Follow British Council Research and Insight: Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
In today’s episode, we’re reflecting on the extraordinary moment of collaboration betweenLiverpool and Ukraine when they hosted Eurovision in 2023. What does this experience teach us about the power of being united through arts and culture? And what is the value – to communities, cities, and countries - in hosting cultural mega-events like Eurovision? Join our host Christine Wilson and guest David Watson, Executive Director of Audiences and Media at National Museums Liverpool, as they rewind to the electrifying atmosphere of last year's contest and its impact on local communities in Liverpool.We’ll also hear from Kyiv, Ukraine, where Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute, tells us what it was like to see her home country being represented in Liverpool for Eurovision 2023. Dive deeper: Culture, place and partnership: the cultural relations of Eurovision 2023 -https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/eurovision2023 Hear more from David on his podcast, Before The Applause - https://www.beforetheapplausepod.com Learn more about Tetyana’s work at the Ukrainian Institute - https://ui.org.ua/en/ Follow British Council Research and Insight: Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
Though progress has been made, there is still a long road ahead to gender equality. Join us as we explore existing and emerging barriers and opportunities for women’s empowerment, from deeply rooted social norms to new frontiers in technology. In the studio, our host Christine Wilson explores the multifaceted dimensions of gender equality with Naila Kabeer, Professor of Gender and Development at the London School of Economics. Our expert on-the-ground, Dharini Priscilla, reports from Sri Lanka, where digital technology creates new opportunities as well as new dangers for women's well-being and empowerment. Together, Christine, Naila, and Dharini confront the pressing issues and promising developments driving the agenda for gender equality worldwide. Dive deeper: Next Generation: What we know on women and girls - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/next-generation-women-girls Dharini’s report on the gendered dimensions of Sri Lankan media - https://www.irex.org/MEND_Gender_in_Sri_Lanka_Media_English.pdf Naila discussing a gender-responsive age-sensitive social protection strategy with the UNICEF Innocenti Centre - https://tinyurl.com/236y724h Naila’s latest book ‘Renegotiating Patriarchy: Gender, Agency and the Bangladesh Paradox’ (LSE Press) will be published later in 2024. Follow British Council Research and Insight: Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
Culture is fundamental to who we are as human beings. Yet it is missing from global efforts to resolve the most pressing human issues of our time. Discover why recognising the importance of culture can open the door to a more equitable, sustainable, and connected world – and hear about priorities for action. Our host, Christine Wilson, is joined in the studio by Professor Alexandra Xanthaki, the United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. We also travel to Brazil, where Pedro Affonso Ivo Franco tells us about his work as an International Consultant for Culture, Creativity and Development and how, amid the vibrant rhythms of Maracatu, culture creates new opportunities for communities. In this first episode of ‘Our World, Connected’, Christine, Alexandra and Pedro discuss topics such as locally-led development, cultural and human rights, and whether culture deserves its own Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Dive deeper: The Missing Foundation: Culture’s place within and beyond the SDGs – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/missing-foundation-report Pedro’s essay on the Cambinda Estrela Cultural Centre and Maracatu - https://www.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/ch4ig_essays_ivofranco_1_web.pdf Alexandra’s role as the UN Special Rapporteur and latest reports -https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-cultural-rights Follow British Council Research and Insight: Newsletter – https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/subscribe Twitter – https://twitter.com/InsightBritish Explore our insights: Website - https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight
Our World, Connected is a brand-new podcast from the British Council, placing you at the heart of the biggest global conversations about culture, connection, and empowerment. Join host Christine Wilson, Director of British Council Research and Insight, and a diverse lineup of world-renowned experts and thinkers as they examine the most pressing issues of our time - and uncover the human stories behind them. Each episode will explore the transformative power of arts, culture, language, and education in the face of global challenges like peacebuilding, sustainable development, climate change, and the growth of AI.