logo
episode-header-image
Aug 11
26m 38s

School deepfake ransoms

Bbc World Service
About this episode

For many schools, it’s normal to post pictures of their own pupils online, either celebrating events or for marketing. But these photos could also be taken by criminals and used to make distressing deepfake AI images. We speak to the founder of a company which says it has a solution. Also on the programme, the incredible ways graphene can augment our senses – including to smell for diseases. And the student with dyslexia who invented his own tech to help him through his course.

Presenter: Chris Vallance Producer: Imran Rahman-Jones

(Image: A child places a metal pin impression toy over their face, so they cannot be identified. Credit: Getty Images)

Up next
Aug 4
The future of flying?
The transition from petrol to electric cars is well underway. But why are most aircraft in the skies still burning jet fuel? We look at new developments in electric aviation. Also this week: keeping children safe online - a leading international child charity talks to Tech Life.P ... Show More
26m 29s
Jul 28
Understanding AI Agents
AI agents carry out tasks autonomously on behalf of users. But what are they capable of, and what do we need to know about them? With AI agents in the news, we speak to an expert.Also this week: can AI make the process of recruiting employees better? And we find out about the cam ... Show More
26m 29s
Jul 21
Smell the future
The nose of a dog is incredibly sensitive. And odour contains information. With the help of AI, electronic 'noses' are being used to sniff out complex odours, including diseases. Chris Vallance visits a company developing the technology.Also this week: Shiona McCallum is in Paris ... Show More
26m 29s
Recommended Episodes
May 2023
In Machines We Trust: When AI hears a problem
Hidden away in our voices are signals that may hold clues to how we’re doing, what we’re feeling and even what’s going on with our physical health. Now, AI systems tasked with analyzing these signals are moving into healthcare. We meet: Lina Lakoczky-Torres, student at Menlo Coll ... Show More
32m 46s
Dec 2021
In Machines We Trust: How AI is giving a woman back her voice
Voice technology is one of the biggest trends in the healthcare space. We look at how it might help care providers and patients, from a woman who is losing her speech, to documenting healthcare records for doctors. But how do you teach AI to learn to communicate more like a human ... Show More
22m 51s
Jan 2025
Week in Tech: Hungry Hungry Hippocampus
How scared should we be of deceptive AI? Oz and Karah take the mic from Jonathan for their first episode of TechStuff and bring you a news roundup of their favorite headlines—including using ChatGPT to plan a crime and brain benefits for those who can still navigate without Waze. ... Show More
34m 51s
May 2025
Episode 122: AI Horizons: Transforming Healthcare and Navigating Ethical Frontiers
<p>In this episode with Luna Maroun, Product Manager and Adobe, and previous start-up coach and teamlead at MIT, we explore the transformative rise of artificial intelligence in healthcare — from streamlining data collection to reshaping clinical decision-making. As AI tools beco ... Show More
41m 7s
Mar 2021
In Machines We Trust: We're back with a new season!
Host Jennifer Strong and MIT Technology Review’s editors explore what it means to entrust AI with our most sensitive decisions. 
4m 10s