FT News Briefing - Financial Times

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Can AI help us speak to animals? Part two Sep 30, 2023

Show notes

A hardware revolution in recording devices and a software revolution in artificial intelligence has convinced some scientists that humans will eventually be able to ‘translate’ animal and even plant sounds into human language. But what would be the consequences of humans learning to ‘speak whale’, chat with bats or converse with elephants? The FT’s innovation editor John Thornhill and producer Persis Love explore the ethics of potential human-to-animal communication.

Presented by John Thornhill, produced by Persis Love, sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.

Free links:

Google Translate for the zoo? How humans might talk to animals

Karen Bakker, scientist and author, 1971-2023

How generative AI really works

Credits: Elephant bee rumble from Lucy King; plant sounds from Lilach Hadany

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Tech IPOs lose their shimmer Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

European government bond prices dropped sharply as investors took fright at Italy’s larger than expected budget deficit, optimism for the IPO market seems to be fading, and the FT’s Colby Smith explains the economic impact of US student loan payments restarting.

Mentioned in this podcast:

European bond market hit by Italy’s plans for higher borrowing

Rising headwinds threaten US economy’s resilience

Instacart and Arm shares lose steam after IPO pops

Millions of US borrowers brace for the return of student debt payments

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Monique Mulima, Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

What does China ‘de-risking’ actually mean? Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

Global dealmaking is languishing at a 10-year low, western companies are insulating their China operations, and Chinese battery groups are avoiding or delaying direct investments in the US and Europe because of geopolitics.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Dealmaking languishes at decade low on private equity drought

Chinese battery groups invest in Morocco to serve western markets

Western companies take slow steps towards China ‘de-risking’

Vote for FT podcasts in the Lovie Awards!

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

The FTC is primed for Amazon Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

The US Federal Trade Commission has accused Amazon of wielding monopolistic control over online markets, JPMorgan Chase said it settled lawsuits related to its dealings with Jeffrey Epstein’s human trafficking operation, and the FT’s Lauren Fedor explains what’s at stake with a looming US government shutdown. Plus, sterling hit a six-month low against the dollar.

Mentioned in this podcast:

FTC lawsuit accuses Amazon of wielding monopoly power over online retail

JPMorgan settles Jeffrey Epstein lawsuits with US Virgin Islands and Jes Staley

Lawmakers warn that US is heading for shutdown as budget talks stall

Moody’s warns federal shutdown would be ‘negative’ for US debt rating

Sterling heads for worst month since Liz Truss’s ‘mini’-Budget

Unhedged podcast

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

#MeToo’s mark on industry Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

The writers strike hitting Hollywood looks like it’s nearing a close and the FT’s Brooke Masters explores whether recent CEO departures could be a signal of a second #MeToo wave. Plus, a sexual abuse scandal has shaken up Japan’s entertainment industry.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Sex, lies and magical thinking about CEO behaviour

Japanese boy band abuse scandal rocks entertainment industry

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Poland’s complicated relationship with Ukraine Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Russia has succeeded in avoiding G7 sanctions on most of its oil exports, Poland is calling for less support for Ukraine, China’s answer to the World Bank wants to commit more money to climate, and the restaurant group, Big Mamma, is going global thanks to private equity.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Russia dodges G7 price cap sanctions on most of its oil exports

A tug of war in Poland and Slovakia

‘China’s World Bank’ plans to triple climate change lending by 2030

Big Mamma restaurant group sells majority stake to private equity

CREDIT: DW News - Poland says it will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Can AI help us speak to animals? Part one Sep 23, 2023

Show notes

A hardware revolution in recording devices and a software revolution in artificial intelligence is enabling researchers to listen in to all kinds of conversations outside the human hearing range, a field known as bioacoustics. Some scientists now believe these developments will also allow us to ‘translate’ animal sounds into human language. In a new season of Tech Tonic, FT innovation editor John Thornhill and series producer Persis Love ask whether we’re moving closer to being able to ‘speak whale’ or even to chat with bats.

Presented by John Thornhill, produced by Persis Love, sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.

Free links:

Google Translate for the zoo? How humans might talk to animals

Karen Bakker, scientist and author, 1971-2023

How generative AI really works

Credits: Sperm whale sounds from Project CETI; honeyhunter calls from Claire Spottiswoode

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

Rupert Murdoch steps down Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

Rupert Murdoch is stepping down as chair of Fox and News Corp, Russia has barred the export of diesel and petrol, and the Bank of England has held interest rates at 5.25 per cent after a knife-edge vote. Plus, India has stopped issuing visas to Canadians and told Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Rupert Murdoch steps down as chair of Fox and News Corp

Russia puts squeeze on oil market with diesel export ban

Bank of England holds interest rates at 5.25%

India stops issuing visas to Canadians as row escalates

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Fed signals fewer cuts in 2024 Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Federal Reserve officials on Wednesday signalled support for another rate rise this year and fewer cuts in 2024, share buybacks on the US stock market have dropped to the slowest pace since the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the FT’s Gideon Rachman talks about his new three-part podcast series on Bidenomics.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Federal Reserve signals fresh rate rise this year and fewer cuts in 2024

Two-year Treasury yield hits highest point since 2006 after Fed decision

Companies ease off on share buybacks as rising interest rates push up costs

The Rachman Review podcast: Bidenomics

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

Oil prices are not a barrel of fun Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

Shares in grocery delivery group Instacart jumped more than 10 per cent on their first day of trading, oil prices climbed above $95 a barrel for the first time in 2023, and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau sparked fury in India when he said authorities were investigating whether “agents” of New Delhi were behind the June killing of a prominent Sikh activist in a Vancouver suburb.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Instacart shares close up 12% after public market debut

India angered by Justin Trudeau’s claims linking New Delhi to Sikh activist’s death

Oil price exceeds $95 a barrel on fears of supply shortfall

Tech Tonic podcast: Can AI help us talk to animals?

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Lucy Snell, Monique Mulima, Monica Lopez, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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

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