In the fourth episode of Science Forward, the podcast of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, we speak with Board Member Sylvie Briand and leading expert on vaccine confidence Heidi Larson about pandemics, preparedness and what we have learned from COVID-19.

The next pandemic may be impossible to predict, but science can help us prepare. From detecting outbreaks early to developing vaccines and building public trust, preparedness depends on what we do before a crisis begins.

Are we better prepared today than before COVID-19? What lessons have we learned? And what still needs to change before the next pandemic?

Join us as we explore how science can help us prepare for emerging threats, why trust and communication matter during a crisis, and what we can do today to be better prepared for the future.

Follow the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board through its Science Briefs, newsletter and social channels:

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In the third episode of Science Forward, the podcast of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, we speak with UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen and leading climate scientist Johan Rockström about tipping points and what they could mean for our planet.

As the planet gets warmer, some parts of nature could reach a point where they begin to change quickly and may be difficult to restore. This could affect ice sheets, forests, coral reefs and ocean currents, with consequences for people around the world.

How close are we to these tipping points? What happens if we cross them? And what can we still do to reduce the risks?

Join us as we explore what science tells us, why every tenth of a degree of warming we can prevent lowers the risks, and why the choices we make today matter for the future of our planet.

Read the Brief on Tipping Points here: https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/en/earth-system-tipping-points-0

Follow the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board through its Science Briefs, newsletter and social channels:

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In the second episode of Science Forward, the podcast of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, we speak with Board member Thomas Südhof and synthetic biologist Yensi Flores Bueso about the idea of creating life from mirror versions of the molecules found in nature.

Mirror life does not exist yet, but the science behind it is advancing rapidly. Some researchers believe it could transform medicine. Others warn that creating a self replicating organism unlike anything found on Earth could introduce challenges we are not prepared for.

Could it lead to new treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes? Could it become one of humanity's greatest biological threats? If we can create mirror life, should we?

Join us as we explore one of the most consequential ideas in modern science, and why many scientists believe the conversation about governance needs to begin now.

Read the Brief on Mirror Life here: https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/en/mirror-life

Follow the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board through its Science Briefs, newsletter and social channels:

🌐 Website: https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/en

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In the first episode of Science Forward, the podcast of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, we speak with Board member Yoshua Bengio and AI policy expert Charlotte Stix about one of the biggest questions of our time: what happens when AI learns to lie?

Can AI manipulate humans? Who should set the rules for powerful AI systems? And can we keep pace with technology? We unpack the growing risks of deceptive AI, why international cooperation matters, and what can still be done to make AI safer, more transparent, and better controlled.

Read the Science Brief on AI Deception here: https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/en/ai-deception

Follow the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board through its Science Briefs, newsletter and social channels:

🌐 Website: https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/en

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Welcome to Science Forward, the podcast of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board.

From AI and biotech to climate and global health, we dive into the biggest questions shaping our future, breaking them down with our leading scientists so anyone can understand. With Adam Day and Julia Bhattacharjee.

Follow the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board through its Science Briefs, newsletter, and social channels:

🌐 Website: ⁠https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/en

💼 LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/un-scientific-advisory-board/

𝕏: ⁠https://x.com/ScienceBoard_UN

▶️ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UNScientificAdvisoryBoard