Afternoons for Wednesday 9 August 2023

 

1:15 CarbonTrail looking closely at AI and it's energy consumption

The development of ChatGPT is just the beginning.

With new AI technologies hitting the headlines every other day, it's clear the Artificial Intelligence revolution is well and truly upon us.

Almost every industry will be touched by it, and while we dissect what this might mean for job security, it's becoming clear that AI could cost us in more ways than one.

Recent estimates by technology analysts suggest that by 2025 - unless a radical rethink takes place - the energy consumption of AI tools will be greater than that of the entire human workforce.

CarbonTrail, a Christchurch-based company, works with businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

Recently they have turned their attention to their own footprint, regarding AI energy cosumption, specifically.

Carbon founder and CEO Tom Hallam speaks to Jesse.

1:25 Are 'hairy' sheep the future for sheep farms?

We're known for our massive population of woolly sheep in New Zealand

But this year we saw the first auction of HAIRY sheep

They're called 'Nudies' sheep you don't have to shear, dock, or dag

And with farmers not fetching a high price for wool at the moment, it might be a cost efficient answer for the future of sheep farming

Wairere Rams are the breeders who have brought Nudies to New Zealand. Principal Derek Daniell speaks to Jesse.,

1:35 Hidden WWII history on Waiheke and Whangaparaoa Peninsula

During World War Two the New Zealand government commissioned three top secret military tunnels to be built.

Fort Stony Batter on Waiheke, Whangaparaoa Peninsula, and Wrights Hill in Wellington.

Fort Stony Batter was the largest, with 1.2 kilometres of subterranean passages now open for tours, art exhibitions and music events.

This was all around the same time RMS Niagara sank in the Hauraki Gulf from a German maritime mine laid by German ship the Orion.

Heritage and Archaeological manager Timothy Moon speaks to Jesse.

1:45 Giant fossil found on a chicken farm finally identified after 30 years

A fossil discovered on an Australian chicken farm three decades ago has finally been identified as an entirely new species!

After all this time palaeontologists say the fossil is of a  a new type of Triassic amphibian that stalked the freshwater streams of the Sydney basin 240 million years ago.

Professor Lachlan Hart, now a UNSW pHd student first saw the fossil as a 12 year old at an exhibition - he's now part of the team that's finally identified the new species. He speaks to Jesse.

2.12 Podcast Critic: Evie Ashton

Today Evie Ashton talks to Jesse about the The Witch Trials of JK Rowling podcast.

2:25 Bookmarks with Gordon Moller

In the early 90s, Gordon Moller jotted down a design on a sketchpad during a flight, which would change Auckland's skyline forever.

The architect had been in the US looking at the grandest of builds, gathering inspiration for Sky City casino, restaurant and hotel complex.

But the answer was in his hands all along. Mr Moller recalls looking down at his pencil, and realising the tower he had in mind should look something like that.

Gordon Moller talks to Jesse about what he likes to read, watch and listen to in his downtime.

3:10 Women want a different kind of power than men

The reason there aren't more women in positions of power around the world, more female CEOs, Prime Ministers, board members, is not a problem with women. It's a problem with power say BBC America presenter Katty Kay and journalist Claire Shipman. They take a long look at research that shows women don't want the kind of power men do. Men seek power over people and resources, women want the power to change things. It's time to redefine and reboot power so women want it while avoiding the corrosive and corrupting effects it can have. Their new book is  The Power Code: More Joy. Less Ego. Maximum Impact for Women (and Everyone)".

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

Coming up on Our Changing World - current producer Claire Concannon chats with former producer Alison Ballance all about takahē. 

3:45 The Panel with Jo McCarroll and David Farrar