meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Intelligence from The Economist

I can do that, Dave: AI and warfare

The Intelligence from The Economist

The Economist

News, Global News, Daily News

4.53.7K Ratings

🗓️ 19 September 2019

⏱️ 21 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Artificial intelligence is making its way into every aspect of life, including military conflict. We look at the thorny legal and ethical issues that the newest arms race raises. Three executives from Fukushima’s melted-down nuclear-power plant were cleared of negligence today, but the disaster’s aftermath is far from over. And, what a swish new Chinese restaurant in Havana says about China-Cuba relations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hello and welcome to the Intelligence on Economist Radio.

0:07.0

I'm your host, Jason Palmer.

0:09.0

Every weekday we provide a fresh perspective on the events shaping your world.

0:18.0

Today, executives from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant,

0:21.0

which melted down following a tsunami in 2011, were found not guilty of negligence.

0:27.0

The verdict closes the book on criminal proceedings, but the disaster's aftermath is still playing out.

0:35.0

And there's a new one-of-a-kind restaurant in Cuba's capital.

0:39.0

You can get authentic Chinese food surrounded by reminders of the close political ties between the two communist states.

0:46.0

The fact that it took five years to open is one hint that business relations are a bit trickier.

0:54.0

But first...

1:03.0

There seems to be no aspect of human endeavor that isn't going to be affected by artificial intelligence.

1:09.0

For the most part, AI will be hard at work behind the scenes,

1:13.0

from recommending your next binge watch to recommending whether that spot on an MRI needs a closer look.

1:19.0

Perhaps inevitably, military types are considering how AI can make recommendations on the battlefield.

1:29.0

The concern is that war could be waged with a speed outside human control and a complexity beyond human understanding.

1:40.0

An AI arms race is just beginning, but it's probably not going to look like you think it will.

1:46.0

When most people think about artificial intelligence, AI and warfare, their mind goes to killer robots.

1:53.0

Shishankoji is our defense editor.

1:55.0

Smiling, terminator figures wandering the battlefield.

1:59.0

I'll be back.

2:07.0

Actually, that's a way away, that's very hard.

2:11.0

You do have unmanned vehicles that can wander around the battlefield, fly in the air.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Economist, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Economist and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.