BBC Podcasts

The story The Nobel Prize in Physics has been given to two scientists, Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield, for their work on machine learning, a kind of technology used by Artificial intelligence software. But one of the winners of the award, Geoffrey Hinton, now believes that AI technology could be dangerous in the future. Professor Hinton resigned from his job at Google in 2023, and has warned that machines that could eventually become smarter than humans. News headlines ‘Godfather of AI’ who warned technology could end humanity wins Nobel Prize Evening Standard Brit scientist Geoffrey Hinton dubbed 'the Godfather of AI' wins Nobel Prize for physics Mirror AI doomsayer wins Nobel Prize for key research Politico

Vocabulary (someone or something) rocks your world someone or something has a positive effect on you, making your life enjoyable peak the highest point of something in unison together, at the same time flex bend without breaking not be in the same league (idiom) not nearly as good or important as someone or something else comparable similar (in size, amount or quality) to something else

Introduction Could 73,000 Taylor Swift fans cause an earthquake? Phil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some useful vocabulary. This week's question In 1992, the band Madness caused two earthquakes that saw local residents evacuated from their homes. But at which London venue did the concert take place? Was it: a) Hyde Park? b) The Royal Albert Hall? or c) Finsbury Park? Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Expression of the night 😁😁

Vocabulary broaden (or expand) your horizons investigate something in a new way in order to increase the range of your knowledge, understanding or experience chastise strongly punish or criticise colour-blind unable to see the difference between certain colours, especially green and red pointless without purpose or meaning, and a waste of time I would say that, wouldn't I? of course I would say that; used to imply there's some reason that what the speaker is saying is obviously biased towards them subjective based on personal opinions and feelings rather than on objective facts

Introduction What makes us like the flavours we like? Phil and Beth discuss this and teach you some useful vocabulary. This week's question What is the most popular flavour of crisps in the UK? Is it: a) salt and vinegar? b) cheese and onion? or, c) prawn cocktail? Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary comfort zone situation in which a person feels secure, comfortable, or in control adapt change to successfully deal with a new situation staple basic and important type of food that is regularly eaten by a large portion of the population be in for a shock be guaranteed to experience a surprising or unpleasant situation tweak small adjustment to something in order to improve it trial and error way of solving a problem by trying a number of different methods and learning from the mistakes you make

Introduction If you moved to a different country, how would you cope with new kinds of food? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some useful vocabulary. This week's question Cream teas are a traditional British summer snack featuring scones, cream and jam. But what argument is there around cream teas? Is it: a) whether to drink tea or coffee? b) whether to put cream or jam onto the scone first? or, c) whether strawberry or raspberry jam is better? Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary drain remove the liquid from something by pouring it out or letting it flow away cling stick or hold onto something very tightly kick-start make something start to happen or develop more quickly manipulate skilfully use or control something down the line at some unspecified point in the future only time will tell (idiom) the real results of something happening now will not be known until some time in the future

Introduction How can farmers water their crops when they live in the driest place on Earth? Neil and Beth hear about a solution and teach you some useful vocabulary. This week's question Is clay good for: a) curing headaches? b) digesting food? or, c) smoothing face skin? Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary at the end of the day after all the relevant facts have been considered bestie (slang) best friend (be) torn between find it difficult to choose between two possibilities, leaving you feeling anxious or worried nightmare a very unpleasant experience, situation or event go viral spread quickly and widely on the internet through social media and email right in front of your eyes used to emphasise that something surprising or unusual happened directly before you