New RSPCA pod chats everything from robot pets to society going Dr. Dolittle…
The charity’s ‘Animal Futures’ podcast will take a deep dive into the future of animal welfare – and explore how the decisions society makes today will affect the future of pets, wildlife and farm animals.
Guests include David Halpern MBE, President Emeritus of the Behavioural Insights Team; Melanie Challenger, bioethicist, and author of ‘How to be Animal’, and environmentalist and author Dr Mya-Rose Craig. Other guests will include experts in alternative proteins, robot pets, nature and AI communication with animals.
The podcast explores everything related to animal futures – from our relationship with nature to whether robot pets could ever replace the real thing and if we’re ready to eat lab-grown meat. Other topics will also include the legal status of animals in society, and how artificial intelligence could pave the way for humans to be able to talk directly to our pets.
The podcast host – RSPCA Ambassador, journalist and broadcaster Kate Quilton – is best known for presenting a number of series on Channel 4, most notably Food Unwrapped since 2012. She has also presented programmes about improving diet, food inflation, meat production and the risks of chlorinated chicken.
“It has been fascinating to explore what the future might hold for animals – and us. I’ve spoken to leading experts in their field about everything from robot pets and alternative proteins, to the value of nature in our lives, and what it might mean if we can eventually use artificial intelligence to speak with animals.
“What is clear from the conversations that I’ve had is that we’re at a crucial moment for animal welfare and the choices we make today could change their futures and ours – for good or bad. Anyone inspired by what they hear can have their say on the future of animals, by joining Animal Futures: the Big Conversation online.” – Kate Quilton
The guests on the inaugural episode will discuss the ethics and viability of robot pets – and whether these really could be a replacement for the real thing. Ted Fischer is CEO of Ageless Innovation; a company which produces robot pets for people of all ageless; while Dr Leanne Proops is Associate Professor in Animal Behaviour & Welfare at the University of Portsmouth, and has undertaken research into whether children prefer interacting with a real animal or robot pets.
The opening episode launches on February 5th. New episodes will then follow on February 12th, February 19th, March 19th, March 26th and April 3rd. The podcast will be available on all major platforms – including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon and YouTube, with audio and video available.
