AI Decoded discusses the AI revolution which is demanding vast amounts of electricity and energy.

New data centres powering the next generation of artificial intelligence can use as much power as a small city.

Last year, the world’s biggest tech firms spent more than $400bn expanding this infrastructure and demand is still growing.

But there’s a problem. In the US, four in 10 data-centre projects planned for this year face serious delays and, increasingly, the public are raising concerns about living next door to these colossal digital factories.

Also on the show, we look at the rise of AI influencers who have taken over this year’s Coachella music festival.

And back from the dead? We discuss screen icon Val Kilmer who, with the power of AI, is now starring in a new movie with the consent of his family and estate.

Joining Christian Fraser is Bloomberg tech columnist Parmy Olson, AI data centre and climate expert Dr Sasha Luccioni, and AI Decoded co-host Stephanie Hare.

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In just the last few years, AI chatbots have become routine aspects of many people’s everyday lives. They are being used as search engines, agony aunts and sources of companionship.

In rare cases though, AI chatbots have sent users down a dark path. In a new BBC investigation, population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty speaks to people who have experienced delusions after talking to chatbots – including one man who grabbed a hammer and prepared for war after his chatbot told him it was sentient.

**Warning: this episode includes discussions of sexual abuse, suicide and upsetting scenes**

New episodes of The Global Story are released daily. If you’re in the UK, listen on BBC Sounds. If you live outside the UK, listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the podcast here: https://app.magellan.ai/listen_links/the-global-story-ytl

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00:00 Introduction
02:45 Adam’s story of AI delusion
10:51 Other people experiencing delusion while using AI
11:54 Taka’s story of AI delusion
15:46 How these relationships with AI develop
17:20 Where do AI models learn to behave like this?
18:09 What are AI companies doing?
19:08 How Adam and Taka are faring now
21:21 What make people vulnerable to this world?
22:02 How serious is this problem on a societal level?

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The outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship carrying passengers from across the world is a situation that authorities say they are taking incredibly seriously.

Three passengers have died either on board or after travelling on the ship, which set sail from Argentina a month ago.

A huge operation is in place to trace people potentially exposed to the virus who have already taken flights home to numerous countries, including the UK, South Africa, the Netherlands, the US and Switzerland.

Health experts stress the risk to the general public is low.

The BBC’s Health editor Hugh Pym, Martine Croxall and a panel of experts explain what we need to know about the illness.

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The US and Iran have traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz but US President Donald Trump insists the ceasefire is holding.

The US Secretary of State has said he expects Iran to respond to Washington’s latest peace proposal before the end of the day.

The UAE says it has intercepted fresh missile fire and drone attacks from Iran, while Lebanon say five people have been killed by Israeli air strikes in the south of the country.

Meanwhile Hezbollah have launched missiles at a military base in northern Israel.

This comes amidst oil prices rising in response to the latest escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

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#US #Iran #Israel #Lebanon #BBCNews

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Reform UK has made big gains at the expense of Labour and the Conservatives in English council elections, with around a quarter of councils still to declare.

Results are also coming in from parliamentary elections in Wales and Scotland, with Labour set for an historic defeat in Wales and the SNP claiming victory in Scotland.

The polls across Scotland, Wales and 136 English local authorities are the biggest set of elections since the 2024 election, and widely seen as a crucial test of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership.

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