Science Forward
?? Welcome to Science Forward, the podcast of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board. Featuring world-leading scientists, we explore today’s challenges, from AI and biotechnology to climate and health. Hosted by Adam Day & Julia Bhattacharjee, the podcast breaks down big questions in plain language.
Episode 02: A New Form of Life
In the second episode, we speak with Board member Thomas Südhof and synthetic biologist Yensi Flores Bueso about the idea of creating life from mirror versions of the molecules found in nature.
Mirror life does not exist yet, but the science behind it is advancing rapidly. Some researchers believe it could transform medicine. Others warn that creating a self-replicating organism unlike anything found on Earth could introduce challenges we are not prepared for.Could it lead to new treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes? Could it become one of humanity's greatest biological threats? If we can create mirror life, should we?
Episode 01: When AI Learns to Lie
In the first episode, we speak with Board member Yoshua Bengio and AI policy expert Charlotte Stix about one of the biggest questions of our time: what happens when AI learns to lie?
Can AI manipulate humans? Who should set the rules for powerful AI systems? And can we keep pace with technology? We unpack the growing risks of deceptive AI, why international cooperation matters, and what can still be done to make AI safer, more transparent, and better controlled.