Podcasts

Science and technology | WEEKLY

Babbage

Babbage is our weekly podcast on science and technology, named after Charles Babbage—a 19th-century polymath and grandfather of computing.

Already have an account? Log in

Tune in to the world

Expert analysis and clear perspectives with Economist Podcasts+

Subscribe now

Unlimited access to all shows on world news, China, American politics, technology and more
Award-winning, in-depth series on vital issues
Hosted by The Economist’s journalists

Episodes

For subscribers|Mar 12th 2025

Geoffrey Hinton: AI is more human than you think

Our podcast on science and technology. Decades ago, the Nobel laureate began a project to model the brain in software. The results have surprised even the “godfather of AI” himself

Unlock

For subscribers|Mar 5th 2025

The Large(r) Hadron Collider: what's next for the world's biggest experiment?

Our podcast on science and technology. We meet the next boss of CERN and take a tour of the biggest experiment in physics. What’s in store for the next chapter of the supercollider?

Unlock

For subscribers|Feb 26th 2025

Designing babies: is there any future for gene-edited embryos?

Our podcast on science and technology. The Chinese biophysicist tells us why he is back in the lab and still trying to bring about CRISPR babies

Unlock

For subscribers|Feb 19th 2025

Ruff translation, part two: could AI decode animal communication?

Our podcast on science and technology. The second episode in a two-part series that explores animal communication and efforts to translate it in the age of AI

Unlock

For subscribers|Feb 12th 2025

Ruff translation, part one: do animals have language?

Our podcast on science and technology. The first episode in a two-part series that explores animal communication and efforts to translate it in the age of AI

Unlock

Feb 5th 2025

Trailer: Scam Inc

For subscribers|Feb 5th 2025

Yann LeCun: the godfather of machine learning is building “a new revolution in AI”

Our podcast on science and technology. Meta’s chief AI scientist and one of the “godfathers” of machine learning explains why radically different types of models are needed for robots and driverless cars to reach their full potential

Unlock

For subscribers|Jan 29th 2025

Game on: AI is coming for sport

Our podcast on science and technology. The latest models could help teams recruit players, devise tactics and even predict injuries

Unlock

For subscribers|Jan 22nd 2025

Chromosome 21: the surprising link between Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's

Our podcast on science and technology. Including more types of people in clinical trials will help scientists better test their theories about how dementia starts

Unlock