As AI increasingly speaks for us, how can we make room for different voices, and hold on to the humour, empathy and nuance that help us understand one another?
In the second episode of season four of Our World, Connected, host Christine Wilson speaks with Professor Rob Drummond about accents, identity and the human side of communication. Rob explores how our voices change between people and places, why certain accents attract prestige or prejudice, and what happens when we ask AI to make us sound more ‘professional’. He makes the case for becoming better listeners and explains why speaking and listening skills matter, especially when technology is taking on more of our everyday communication.A timely conversation, which comes as the Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, recently announced plans to give speaking skills “equal status” to reading and writing in England’s revised curriculum, including assessment up to GCSE level.
We also hear from Kim Bui, a writer, speaker and British Council Alumni UK ambassador from Vietnam, who reflects on her time studying in Birmingham and the encounters that helped her feel connected.
Together, Rob and Kim explore what it means to communicate beyond simply exchanging information.
Listen to Our World, Connected, the award-winning podcast from the British Council, exploring culture, communication and the power of collaboration in a changing world.🏆 Winner of Gold for Thought Leadership at the 2026 & 2025 Signal Awards.
Additional Resources:
The Way You Talk: Why there is more to your accent than you think
https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/way-you-talk-why-your-accent-more-powerful-you-think
The Accentism Projecthttps://accentism.org/
Practice Speaking English Skills | British Council
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/free-resources/speaking