European Parliament - EPRS Science and Technology podcasts

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What if Europe championed new AI hardware? Dec 13, 2024

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Current state-of-the-art hardware is not optimised for machine learning, and both academic and private sector research is already leading to new designs. At the same time, the need for more time- and energy-efficient machine-learning hardware is increasing as more consumers and companies want access to machine-learning applications. The EU has the opportunity to leverage its strong regulatory framework for AI products as a mark of trust and safety, while also investing to support the next generation of hardware, opening up a new market for Europe's high tech industry. What would happen if the EU formulated a cohesive plan to support these technologies through both research and economic policy?
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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Source: © European Union - EP

What if we ran out of copper? Oct 18, 2024

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The copper market has recently been showing unusual instability. New EU legislation, though not always directly related, seems to be having a significant impact on copper prices. This is the case for the Chips Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act - designed to make EU industry more resilient by improving strategic autonomy - but also for laws concerning energy, artificial intelligence and digitalisation. New factors, including looming shortages in strategic raw materials - such as copper - may strongly influence political action.
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

What if electrification transformed the EU economy? Sep 13, 2024

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Electrification is gaining momentum across many sectors, including transport, buildings and industry, driven by the EU's climate ambition and security of supply. As the cost of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind continues to fall, electrification presents an opportunity to reshape the European economy, enhancing competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth.
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

What if focusing on the system, not just the symptoms, were key to health? Jun 20, 2024

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Exposure to 'forever chemicals', air pollution, stress and many other factors depends on where a person lives and their lifestyle choices. These exposures combine over the course of a lifetime, affecting human biology and health. The 'exposome' concept offers a framework for understanding and analysing this complex reality, and ultimately for informing the shaping of evidence-based policy on chemicals, food and the workplace, as well as on pollution, public health and the environment more generally.
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

What if focusing on the system, not just the symptoms, were key to health? Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

What if the problem with cars was not their method of propulsion? Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

The European automotive industry is striving to adapt to market changes driven by the dual green and digital transition. Electrification has become the main strategy for reducing CO2 emissions, especially in urban traffic. At the same time, the average size and weight of cars have greatly increased. Big electric cars are the trend, but are they really the solution? Could better planning and optimisation of resources help?
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

Analysis exploring risks and opportunities linked to the use of collaborative industrial robots in Europe Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

Robot applications, including 'collaborative robots' - cobots - designed to collaborate with humans, are in high demand, with sales and installation figures constantly on the rise. However, it is necessary to analyse the risks and opportunities of this technology and its possible social, economic, and ethical impacts. The following study presents the current state of collaborative robotics, its benefits, and its disadvantages, with a special emphasis on key aspects such as safety. It presents possible policy options to enable the EU to remain at the forefront of this technology by taking advantage of the opportunities and avoiding the potential risks.
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

What if generative artificial intelligence became conscious? Jan 12, 2024

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Generative artificial intelligence applications, such as ChatGPT, are powered through complex learning processes by comprehensive datasets of – potentially dubious – human-created content. There are concerns that such tools could develop consciousness and spark emergent behaviour that is, by definition, unpredictable and therefore potentially unsafe. Do these concerns point to a need to look again at the relevant legislation?
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

What if the EU were energy independent? Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

The EU depends on imported fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal) for about 56 % of its energy needs (gross energy consumption), which in 2021 represented an energy bill of around EUR 300 billion. The domestic production of renewable energy sources has increased significantly in recent years to 22 % of total demand. The European Union can aspire to achieve energy independence through the deployment of existing and emerging technologies. Electrification, renewables and energy storage could reduce EU's reliance on conventional fossil fuels. What are the developments, expectations, concerns and societal implications associated with these technologies? What initiatives and policies can lead to a resilient EU energy system by anticipating impacts?
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

What if Europe ran out of water? Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

Droughts and water scarcity are no longer rare or extreme events in Europe. About 20 % of the European territory and 30 % of Europeans are affected by water stress, especially in Southern Europe but also around some river basins in Western and Central Europe. And climate change will only make matters worse, increasing the frequency of extreme events and making the south even drier.
- Original publication on the EP Think Tank website
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- Podcast available on Deezer, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, YouTube
Source: © European Union - EP

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