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King's of Curiosity with Gillian Tett

King's of Curiosity with Gillian Tett

By: King's College Cambridge
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Welcome to King's of Curiosity – a podcast for curious minds. Each episode takes you on a journey through some of the bright ideas and breakthroughs coming out of King's College Cambridge. Presented by Gillian Tett, financial journalist and Provost of King's, we dive into topics from populism to quantum computing and almost everything in between. Come and get curious with us!2026 Nature & Ecology Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Green Tech With A Twist with Shannon Bonke and Zhuangnan Li
    Apr 21 2026

    We hear a lot about innovations in green technology, but what is really in the pipeline? Carbon is pitched as enemy number 1, but could we be using it for a cleaner future? And are we anywhere closer to extending the life of the lithium-based battery?


    Gillian talks to 2 researchers who are dreaming up the technologies of tomorrow. Shannon Bonke wants to use Lego bricks to attain a carbon negative state, while Zhuangan Li thinks electric vehicles could do with spending more time at a hotsprings.

    Carbon capture and sulfur-enfused batteries are the topic of the day on this episode of King's of Curiosity.

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    34 mins
  • Quantum Computing in the Intellectual Kitchen with David Arvidsson Shukur
    Apr 14 2026

    You're about to enter a discipline that genuinely has to account for time-travel in its computations. Welcome to the wonderful, if initially bewildering, world of quantum computing.

    Gillian's guide through the hypothetical yeses, nos and maybes of quantum is Dr David Arvidsson Shukur, the Senior Researcher of quantum algorithms at the Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory, a Bye-Fellow at King's College and a Fellow at Girton College, Cambridge.

    David's work is at the forefront of the race to develop quantum computing which, in itself, should be of interest to many of you. However, even if you're not quite sure quatum is your thing, David's ability to communicate the complexities of quantum in a clear and simple manner really is something else. David would also like it to be known that just because there is a tiny bit of time-travel adjacent thinking involved in quantum computing, this does not mean it will result in timetravel.

    Further reading:

    Cambridge launches major strategic partnership with IonQ to 'supercharge' quantum research in the UK

    Simulating "backwards time travel"

    Recorded and Produced by &Friends Content studio (www.andfriends.world)

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    52 mins
  • Tech Beyond Bros with Alice Hutchings and Jude Browne
    Apr 7 2026

    Each day brings new stories about the possibilities and the threats of AI and the dominance of Silicon Valley. But what if there were other voices and points of view shaping these technologies and their influence on the world? How differently would these tools work for us? Our guests this week come from very different worlds but their work on understanding the impacts of AI and tech intersects in fascinating ways.

    Alice Hutchings is a professor of Computer Science and Technology who focuses on cybercrime and how to prevent it. Jude Browne is a political scientist whose most recent book focuses on how society might respond to the rise of technologies from AI to robotics to genetic engineering.

    Jude Browne on AI and Political Responsibility

    Alice Hutchings on the risks of war in Iran triggering a cyber insurgency

    Since recording this episode, Action Fraud has been replaced by Report Fraud. UK residents who experience cybercrime can report it here: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

    Recorded and Produced by &Friends Content studio (www.andfriends.world)

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    40 mins
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