Main content

Does new science get us closer to finding out how life on earth began?

Scientists find tiny molecules which might give clues about the origins of life. And computer scientist Mike Wooldridge on why the AI we have isn鈥檛 what we were promised.

Perhaps it鈥檚 the biggest question science has left to answer, how did life begin? Now, molecular biologists in Cambridge university have discovered tiny molecules of RNA which they say might provide some clues. Science journalist and author Philip Ball explains what we know and whether we鈥檒l ever find the origins of life on earth.

Professor Michael Wooldridge has given this year鈥檚 Royal Society鈥檚 Michael Faraday Prize lecture. He speaks to Tom Whipple about why the AI we have is not what he wanted it to be; rational. And science columnist at the Financial Times Anj Ahuja brings her favourite new science to discuss.

To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk, search for 麻豆社 Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.

Presenter: Tom Whipple
Producer: Kate White, Katie Tomsett, Clare Salisbury and Alex Mansfield
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 2 Mar 2026 20:30
麻豆社 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Wood, Smoke and Science: Cooking over fire

Next

How is war being fought in space?

See all episodes from 麻豆社 Inside Science

Featured

  • .

Broadcasts

  • Thu 26 Feb 2026 16:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4
  • Thu 26 Feb 2026 20:32
    麻豆社 World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Thu 26 Feb 2026 21:32
    麻豆社 World Service except Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview
  • Fri 27 Feb 2026 05:32
    麻豆社 World Service Australasia, Americas and the Caribbean, South Asia & East Asia only
  • Fri 27 Feb 2026 09:32
    麻豆社 World Service
  • Fri 27 Feb 2026 13:32
    麻豆社 World Service Australasia, East and Southern Africa, News Internet & West and Central Africa only
  • Mon 2 Mar 2026 00:32
    麻豆社 World Service except Europe and the Middle East
  • Mon 2 Mar 2026 20:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4

Explore further with The Open University

Discover more fascinating science content with The Open University

Podcast