The Global Story

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How artificial intelligence could upend 2024’s many elections Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

Deepfakes, distrust and democracy: Billions of people will have the chance to vote this year in elections around the world. There will be campaigns in eight of the 10 most populous countries, including India and the Biden/Trump race for the White House in the US. Given the stakes, the chance for AI shenanigans is high. Sam Altman, founder of ChatGPT, has warned “of a new kind of interference that was just not possible before AI.”

It raises two basic questions: How that might work? And, what might it mean? For answers, Katya speaks with leading experts in AI and democracy, each of whom have delivered the prestigious BBC Reith Lectures:

- Stuart Russell, Professor of Computer Science and founder of the Centre for Human-Compatible Artificial Intelligence at the University of California, Berkeley

- Ben Ansell, Professor of Comparative Democratic Institutions at Nuffield College, Oxford University

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory

This episode was made by Neal Razzell, Tom Kavanaugh and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Loneliness epidemic unmasked: a global health challenge Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

US health officials have declared that the country is facing an epidemic of loneliness that's as dangerous to health as smoking. The World Health Organisation has launched a commission to look into the health implications of loneliness with surveys consistently suggesting that one in four people around the world feel lonely.

We look at what’s behind these huge numbers and explore solutions with the BBC’s global health correspondent, Tulip Mazumdar, and Professor Manuela Barreto, who was part of the largest study into loneliness to date.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Beth Timmins and Wendy Parker. The technical producer were Matt Hewitt and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Fascinating finds from declassified docs Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

We look at how journalists get their hands on declassified documents, and how the release of these files can inform us about the true workings of government. BBC correspondent Sanchia Berg and Phil Tinline, a producer of historical documentaries for the BBC, tell us about some of the memorable documents they’ve come across, and how perusing the archives can offer valuable insight into the events of the past.

Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Charlotte McDonald and Tom Kavanagh. The technical producer was Mike Regard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

How accurate is ‘The Crown’ and does it really matter? Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Global Story, host Katya Adler delves into the phenomenon of the Netflix series The Crown and its impact on historical accuracy. Joined by guests Elinor Evans, digital editor of the BBC History Magazine’s website History Extra, and the BBC’s royal correspondent Sean Coughlan, the episode explores the show's popularity, its attempts at historical accuracy, and the controversies surrounding its portrayal of significant events.

As the acclaimed Netflix series concludes, this episode explores the blurred lines between reality and drama, reflecting on how The Crown interprets iconic figures like Princess Diana or Queen Elizabeth II.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We're keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories, and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp at +44 330 123 9480.

Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Charlotte McDonald, Bethan Ashmead Latham and Richard Moran. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas, and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

What to expect next year: Global predictions for 2024 Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

With the help of Nuala McGovern, we ask some of the BBC's best correspondents from around the world to gaze into their crystal balls and predict what 2024 might have in store. Next year will see nearly half of the world's population going to the polls - 40 elections are scheduled to take place in countries including the USA, UK, South Africa, India, Russia, and Pakistan. How will the results of some of those elections shift the geopolitical tectonic plates, and will we see any resolution to the conflicts that have dominated 2023? Big questions, but luckily, we have some of the BBC's best minds on hand to provide plenty of answers.

Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Farhana Haider, Ben Carter and Richard Moran. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas, and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The Christmas number one formula (and why old songs do best) Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Inside the multi-million dollar scramble for a top hit on the festive music charts. How can new artists take on the likes of Mariah Carey and Slade? Katya gets answers and music – lots of it – from the BBC’s music correspondent Mark Savage, and writer and musician Chris Lochery.

Warning: this episode may leave you humming.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory

Today’s episode was made by Neal Razzell, Farhana Haider and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Does Zelensky’s Ukraine have a corruption problem? Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Ukraine’s President Zelensky was elected on a platform of reform and a promise to root out corruption. While the war on the frontline continues to dominate the headlines, that fight against corruption could still shape the country’s destiny.

The BBC’s Tim Whewell has been to Dnipro to speak to people who are still focussed on holding politicians to account, even in times of war.

Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Richard Moran and Beth Timmins. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

What a ghost city tells us about China’s economy Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Forest City is a brand new development built by Chinese property developers in Malaysia, just across the water from Singapore. It boasts great views, superb amenities, and was billed as a state-of-the-art luxury housing complex. So why are so few people actually living there? Our BBC Asia Business Correspondent Nick Marsh paid a visit to find out what the project’s apparent failure tells us about the Chinese economy.

Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Charlotte McDonald, Tom Kavanagh and Beth Ashmead Latham. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Guns, gold and grain: Putin’s strategy in West Africa Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

Amid violent insurgencies, countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso are turning away from their allies in the West, particularly France. they are following in the footsteps of the Central African Republic and getting closer with Russia and its Wagner mercenaries.

We look at what Russia has to gain in the region with the BBC's senior West Africa reporter Yemisi Adegoke, BBC Monitoring’s Vitaliy Shevchenko and our reporter in Abuja, Chris Ewokor.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists around the world, with Katya Adler. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory Your ideas, stories and experiences help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty and Richard Moran. The technical producers were Dafydd Evans and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

A clash between antisemitism and free speech on US college campuses Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

There is a row about antisemitism raging in US colleges. After widespread protests against Israel’s bombing of Gaza, Republicans in Congress have accused universities of not doing enough to combat hate speech targeting Jewish students.

We look at the battle between free speech and hate speech with the BBC's North America Correspondent Nomia Iqbal and US National Digital Reporter Mike Wendling.

Today’s episode of The Global Story was made by Tom Kavanagh and Alice Aylett Roberts. The technical producers were Jack Graysmark and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

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