AI vs. The World – Can we handle the threats of artificial intelligence?

This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Podmasters

News, Society & Culture, Politics

4.9 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 12 February 2026

⏱️ 31 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in all our daily lives – and handing over power to AI comes with many risks. From misinformation and disruption to autonomous war technology, can we handle the dangers? Gavin Esler talks to Alex Hern, AI writer at The Economist. Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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1:36.4	Here at this is not a drill, we pride ourselves on our research.
1:40.8	And so in this edition about the importance of artificial intelligence across the world,
1:45.8	for research purposes, I asked AI for a summary about itself. Google came up with, and I'm quoting,
1:51.8	that in 2026, AI is no longer a futuristic concept, but a fundamental pillar of global
1:58.9	infrastructure and a cognitive industrial revolution is now
	...

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