Pallab Ghosh
@pallabg.bsky.social
I am a science correspondent for BBC News. I post mostly about science, sometimes science journalism and very occasionally, Spurs. Please share any hot stories, ideas and opinions on all three and anything else currently inspiring you.
Reposted by Pallab Ghosh
The @Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) will be travelling to #WCSJ2025
Alex O'Brien, ABSW vice-chair, and Sallie Robins, ABSW Executive Secretary, will attend in person and be available to meet you all in Pretoria, South Africa, 1-5 Dec.
Alex O'Brien, ABSW vice-chair, and Sallie Robins, ABSW Executive Secretary, will attend in person and be available to meet you all in Pretoria, South Africa, 1-5 Dec.
November 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The @Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) will be travelling to #WCSJ2025
Alex O'Brien, ABSW vice-chair, and Sallie Robins, ABSW Executive Secretary, will attend in person and be available to meet you all in Pretoria, South Africa, 1-5 Dec.
Alex O'Brien, ABSW vice-chair, and Sallie Robins, ABSW Executive Secretary, will attend in person and be available to meet you all in Pretoria, South Africa, 1-5 Dec.
The UK government sets out an ambitious plan to eliminate all animal experiments except under exceptional circumstances. Is this a credible plan or one to be seen to meet a hard to deliver manifesto commitment? 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government sets out plan to phase out animal experiments
The plan follows up on a manifesto promise to work towards the phasing out the practice.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The UK government sets out an ambitious plan to eliminate all animal experiments except under exceptional circumstances. Is this a credible plan or one to be seen to meet a hard to deliver manifesto commitment? 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The science of #CelebrityTraitors : How we think we’re great at spotting a fake, but are actually terrible! 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
The science of a trustworthy face - and how to spot a liar (or Traitor) - BBC News
Scientists suggest that trustworthiness is influenced by facial expressions - and levels of attractiveness.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 6:56 AM
The science of #CelebrityTraitors : How we think we’re great at spotting a fake, but are actually terrible! 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
The discovery of continuous stone tool use for thousands of generations in Kenya 2.75 million years ago suggests not only were the very first humans inventors but that innovation is innate to our genus. 🧪Stone tool discovery suggests very first humans were inventors www.bbc.com/news/article...
Stone tool discovery suggests very first humans were inventors
The find shows that the technology was passed down through thousands of generations.
www.bbc.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The discovery of continuous stone tool use for thousands of generations in Kenya 2.75 million years ago suggests not only were the very first humans inventors but that innovation is innate to our genus. 🧪Stone tool discovery suggests very first humans were inventors www.bbc.com/news/article...
The robots are coming. We need to be ready. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Would you really trust a robot to care for you in old age?
It sounds like something from a sci-fi film - but some scientists believe this clever new tech could help alleviate strains on the UK care system
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 7:16 AM
The robots are coming. We need to be ready. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The crew of Artemis II say they are ready to fly to the Moon "for all humanity". All four say they have been inspired by the Apollo Moon missions of the 1960s and early 1970s. 🧪https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg0kv8rq0xo
Artemis II: astronauts ready to go to Moon
Astronauts of Nasa's first crewed mission to the Moon for more than 50 years hope their journey inspires a new generation.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The crew of Artemis II say they are ready to fly to the Moon "for all humanity". All four say they have been inspired by the Apollo Moon missions of the 1960s and early 1970s. 🧪https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg0kv8rq0xo
Gaps in our knowledge of ancient Rome could be filled by AI. 🧪
July 23, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Gaps in our knowledge of ancient Rome could be filled by AI. 🧪
Animals react to secret sounds from plants according to new research. The discovery suggests that there has been a hitherto unkown natural world wide web exchanging infomration between plants and insects for millions of years. 🧪https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e4860n9rpo
Animals react to secret sounds from plants, say scientists
It opens up the possibility that an invisible ecosystem might exist between plants and animals.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 15, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Animals react to secret sounds from plants according to new research. The discovery suggests that there has been a hitherto unkown natural world wide web exchanging infomration between plants and insects for millions of years. 🧪https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e4860n9rpo
The Wellcome Trust is to fund a controversial project to create artificial human DNA 25 years after the human genome was completed. 🧪
June 26, 2025 at 4:44 AM
The Wellcome Trust is to fund a controversial project to create artificial human DNA 25 years after the human genome was completed. 🧪
See a new video by @esa.int of the Sun's south pole tha thas never been seen before. It is a thing of beauty and will help scientists learn more about the processes that make our closest star cycle between raging storms and quieter periods. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Solar Orbiter spacecraft snaps first images of Sun's south pole
Never before seen pictures will help scientists learn how the Sun's activity changes from stormy to quiet periods
www.bbc.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM
See a new video by @esa.int of the Sun's south pole tha thas never been seen before. It is a thing of beauty and will help scientists learn more about the processes that make our closest star cycle between raging storms and quieter periods. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The Trump-Musk row has fuelled the biggest crisis ever' at @NASA. The science budget has been cut by half and the agency’s focus is now to send astronauts to the Moon before the Chinese and to plant a US flag on Mars.🧪.
June 8, 2025 at 6:31 AM
The Trump-Musk row has fuelled the biggest crisis ever' at @NASA. The science budget has been cut by half and the agency’s focus is now to send astronauts to the Moon before the Chinese and to plant a US flag on Mars.🧪.
No-one knows exactly how LLMs work. That's worrying Prof @mpshanahan.bsky.social tells BBC News: "Having a better understanding of how they work will enable us to steer them in the direction we want and to ensure that they are safe."🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
May 26, 2025 at 7:46 PM
No-one knows exactly how LLMs work. That's worrying Prof @mpshanahan.bsky.social tells BBC News: "Having a better understanding of how they work will enable us to steer them in the direction we want and to ensure that they are safe."🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Prof @lenoreblum.bsky.social tells @BBCNews "AI consciousness is inevitable."
Her husband Manuel says they will be the "next stage in humanity's evolution. They are our progeny and will be on Earth and maybe on other planets when we are no longer around”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Her husband Manuel says they will be the "next stage in humanity's evolution. They are our progeny and will be on Earth and maybe on other planets when we are no longer around”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
May 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Prof @lenoreblum.bsky.social tells @BBCNews "AI consciousness is inevitable."
Her husband Manuel says they will be the "next stage in humanity's evolution. They are our progeny and will be on Earth and maybe on other planets when we are no longer around”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Her husband Manuel says they will be the "next stage in humanity's evolution. They are our progeny and will be on Earth and maybe on other planets when we are no longer around”.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Pallab Ghosh
1/ Great perspective by @pallabg.bsky.social on the prospects for 'conscious AI' - featuring @davidchalmers.bsky.social, Murray Shanahan, @lenoreblum.bsky.social Manuel Blum, Brett Kagan, & me among others. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The people who think AI might become conscious
With a leap in the evolution of large language models, some leading thinkers are questioning whether AI might become sentient
www.bbc.co.uk
May 26, 2025 at 3:13 PM
1/ Great perspective by @pallabg.bsky.social on the prospects for 'conscious AI' - featuring @davidchalmers.bsky.social, Murray Shanahan, @lenoreblum.bsky.social Manuel Blum, Brett Kagan, & me among others. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Pallab Ghosh
3/ @pallabg.bsky.social's piece refers to our "Dreamachine" experiments at @SussexUni. It's worth clarifying that there are not the same as the public Dreamahine programme. I was the lead scientist for the latter, but it was led by Collective Act dreamachine.world
Dreamachine | A new, one-of-a-kind immersive experience
Dreamachine is an experience like no other. Join us on a magical journey through music and light to experience a colourful world unfolding behind your closed eyes, created by your own brain and comple...
dreamachine.world
May 26, 2025 at 3:13 PM
3/ @pallabg.bsky.social's piece refers to our "Dreamachine" experiments at @SussexUni. It's worth clarifying that there are not the same as the public Dreamahine programme. I was the lead scientist for the latter, but it was led by Collective Act dreamachine.world
Reposted by Pallab Ghosh
How about we come to a consensus on what the term "conscious" means First?
I have a feeling we're about to have some very serious, very ill-informed conversations about things we cannot comprehend, much less relate to in any meaningful way.
I have a feeling we're about to have some very serious, very ill-informed conversations about things we cannot comprehend, much less relate to in any meaningful way.
Are AI systems on the verge of becoming conscious? If so, what should we do?🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The people who believe that AI might become conscious
With a leap in the evolution of large language models, some leading thinkers are questioning whether AI might become sentient
www.bbc.co.uk
May 26, 2025 at 5:01 AM
How about we come to a consensus on what the term "conscious" means First?
I have a feeling we're about to have some very serious, very ill-informed conversations about things we cannot comprehend, much less relate to in any meaningful way.
I have a feeling we're about to have some very serious, very ill-informed conversations about things we cannot comprehend, much less relate to in any meaningful way.
Reposted by Pallab Ghosh
The problem is defining "conscious" and "sentient." Understanding language through pattern recognition, accessing memory w/o considering context/aging relevance, and learning normal human behavior still omits pain/pleasure, risk/reward, and regret. AI mimics conscious behavior but doesn't fear death
May 26, 2025 at 8:52 AM
The problem is defining "conscious" and "sentient." Understanding language through pattern recognition, accessing memory w/o considering context/aging relevance, and learning normal human behavior still omits pain/pleasure, risk/reward, and regret. AI mimics conscious behavior but doesn't fear death
Reposted by Pallab Ghosh
It's a good article - but the answer is in the opening paragraph. The author experiences organic fear - AI can't.
I can make AI mimic fear and pain with appropriate responses based on variable sensors, but it doesn't care if I send it into an endless loop, hallucination hell, or turn it off.
I can make AI mimic fear and pain with appropriate responses based on variable sensors, but it doesn't care if I send it into an endless loop, hallucination hell, or turn it off.
May 26, 2025 at 8:59 AM
It's a good article - but the answer is in the opening paragraph. The author experiences organic fear - AI can't.
I can make AI mimic fear and pain with appropriate responses based on variable sensors, but it doesn't care if I send it into an endless loop, hallucination hell, or turn it off.
I can make AI mimic fear and pain with appropriate responses based on variable sensors, but it doesn't care if I send it into an endless loop, hallucination hell, or turn it off.
Prof Manuel Blum tells BBC News “Conscious robots are our progeny. Down the road, machines like these will be entities that will be on Earth and maybe on other planets when we are no longer around". 🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
May 26, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Prof Manuel Blum tells BBC News “Conscious robots are our progeny. Down the road, machines like these will be entities that will be on Earth and maybe on other planets when we are no longer around". 🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Could so brain cells grown in a lab, called organoids, become conscious? Brett Kagan of Cortical Labs tells BBCNews that it’s possible, but wannabe organoid overlords could easily be defeated by pouring bleach on them.🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
May 26, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Could so brain cells grown in a lab, called organoids, become conscious? Brett Kagan of Cortical Labs tells BBCNews that it’s possible, but wannabe organoid overlords could easily be defeated by pouring bleach on them.🧪
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Pallab Ghosh
Lovely to be paired up with the legendary @pallabg.bsky.social!
May 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Lovely to be paired up with the legendary @pallabg.bsky.social!
Are AI systems on the verge of becoming conscious? If so, what should we do?🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The people who believe that AI might become conscious
With a leap in the evolution of large language models, some leading thinkers are questioning whether AI might become sentient
www.bbc.co.uk
May 26, 2025 at 4:08 AM
Are AI systems on the verge of becoming conscious? If so, what should we do?🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scientists in a US-led project, DUNE, are ready to build their underground detector to catch up with a Japanese experiment, Hyper-K, in a race to discover why our Universe exists. 🧪
May 20, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Scientists in a US-led project, DUNE, are ready to build their underground detector to catch up with a Japanese experiment, Hyper-K, in a race to discover why our Universe exists. 🧪
Watch the launch of a mission to grow food in space to cut astronauts' food bills on @BBCNews youtu.be/9RCh1cUFf4Q?... via @YouTube 🧪
Mission to grow food in space to cut astronauts' eating bill | BBC News
YouTube video by BBC News
youtu.be
April 23, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Watch the launch of a mission to grow food in space to cut astronauts' food bills on @BBCNews youtu.be/9RCh1cUFf4Q?... via @YouTube 🧪
A mission to boldly grow food from cells in space has been launched today to make astronaut grub not only cheaper, but tastier too! 🧪. Mission to boldly grow food in space labs blasts off www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trial to boldly grow food in space labs blasts off
The mission will explore new ways of reducing the cost of feeding an astronaut.
www.bbc.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:35 AM
A mission to boldly grow food from cells in space has been launched today to make astronaut grub not only cheaper, but tastier too! 🧪. Mission to boldly grow food in space labs blasts off www.bbc.com/news/article...