Babbage: Artificial intelligence enters its industrial age

A new type of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly emerging as a candidate to become the next major general-purpose technology. "Foundational AI" will inject itself into many human endeavours—from writing to coding to drug discovery. We explore why foundation models could end up having an economic impact similar to that of electricity, and why the emerging technology is also proving so controversial. Alok Jha hosts.

For full access to The Economist’s print, digital and audio editions subscribe at economist.com/podcastoffer and …

age artificial artificial intelligence become coding discovery drug discovery economic electricity foundation general human impact industrial intelligence major next technology type writing