Talks I attended from New Scientist Live 2026
The annual celebration of science is back once again!
Talks I attended:
If your AI were conscious, how would you know? - Megan Peters
Consciousness science and the tests we use to detect it have largely been built around humans. But can those same tools really tell us whether an AI is conscious? In this talk, Megan Peters explores how to develop frameworks for assessing consciousness in systems radically different from us, from octopuses to bees and, ultimately, AI, and asks how our very understanding of consciousness might need to change as we apply these tests further from ourselves.
Little Red Dots: A cosmic mystery - Chris Lintott
When the James Webb Space Telescope turned its mirrors to the early universe, it found stretches of space filled with little red dots. In this talk, astrophysicist Chris Lintott brings the latest news from this cosmic frontier to explain what these Little Red Dots are really telling us.
How synthetic genomes can tidy up evolution’s mess - Tom Ellis
In this talk, synthetic biologist Tom Ellis explores the rapidly advancing science of synthetic genomics, where researchers are now building entire chromosomes from chemicals, and rewriting the DNA of bacteria and yeast – and perhaps soon, plants and even people.
In search of now: The science of the present moment - Jo Marchant
What is “now”? Physics suggests it may not exist, while neuroscience calls it an illusion. Jo Marchant explores how our sense of the present shapes our experience of time and reality.
How important is the “neuro” in “neurodivergent”? - Amy Pearson
The term “neurodivergent” is often used to describe people with conditions like autism or ADHD, but how important is the brain in understanding and supporting these groups? In this talk, Dr Amy Pearson will explore what focussing on the brain has helped us to learn about neurodivergent people, and perhaps more importantly, what it hasn’t.
Have drugs like Ozempic cured obesity? - Giles Yeo
Ozempic, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 drugs are powerful treatments for obesity. Geneticist and obesity expert Giles Yeo explains how these drugs work, shares his discoveries on how they interact with our brains and asks the crucial question: is it safe to take these drugs in the long term?
How our children can flourish in the age of AI - Daniel Susskind
Daniel Susskind asks what the next generation should learn, and stop worrying about, in an AI-shaped world. He cuts through outdated advice, showing how to embrace technology without losing essential human skills.
Secrets of our DNA - Turi King
Modern genetics, and the discussion of it, is now very much a part of our daily lives. From crime and conservation to disease and dictators, join Turi King as she explains how genetics has changed the world and how it affects your daily life.
Forensic science 2036: How will AI shape the next decade? - Niamh Nic Daéid
Forensics expert Niamh Nic DaĂ©id explores the exponential rise in the use of artificial intelligence and it’s impact on forensic science and the justice system. The session will examine what the future may bring where potential investigations involve climate change and investigating crime in space.
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