Artificial intelligence has already transformed how we watch, listen and scroll — but is it about to reshape how entertainment is actually made?

In this episode, E+T regulars Tim Fryer and Jack Loughran are joined by Sarah Atkinson, professor of screen media at King’s College London, to explore how AI is filtering into storytelling, production and performance. From Netflix algorithms and virtual actors to deepfakes, holograms and interactive cinema experiments, they examine whether AI is a creative partner, a cost-cutting disruptor, or a threat to already fragile creative careers.

The conversation ranges from the legacy of early interactive film experiments to modern tools like generative video, asking whether audiences really want adaptive narratives — or simply better stories. As AI promises faster post-production and lower barriers to entry, could it democratise filmmaking and diversify voices, or will it accelerate job losses and homogenise culture? And in an industry built on illusion, does it matter if the magic is human-made?

With Hollywood strikes, ethical concerns and education systems struggling to keep pace, the episode asks a bigger question: is AI the next evolutionary step in entertainment — or just another cinematic gimmick that will fade when the novelty wears off?

“On one side, there’s very much a fear narrative. But then on the opposite scale, you have experimentation and eagerness to use this new tool to actually improve and enhance creativity.”

Venezuela sits on some of the largest oil reserves on the planet — but after years of nationalisation, sanctions, brain drain and crumbling infrastructure, is that oil actually worth the trouble?

In this episode, we step away from the politics and dig into the realities of reviving Venezuela’s oil industry. What would it take to get production back online? Who would invest, who would take the risk, and how long would it really take to make a difference to global oil markets?

Joining the discussion alongside E+T regulars Tim Fryer and Jack Loughran is Alan Gelder, senior vice president of refining, chemicals and oil markets at Wood Mackenzie, who brings a clear-eyed view of the technical, financial and geopolitical hurdles — from heavy crude and broken refineries to sanctions, emissions, and investor confidence.

Is Venezuela a future energy powerhouse waiting to be unlocked — or an uninvestable headache in a world already awash with oil?

"Resources that are in unstable regimes that look like they’re very costly to develop and also have a very high emissions intensity, don’t go to the top of the list.”

What difference can a President make in a year at the helm of the IET? How do individual agendas fit in with the overall strategy of the IET? And how do you measure success? These are some of the issues E+T's editor Tim Fryer put to the new President of the IET Dawn Ohlson. The conversation highlighted the importance to the IET of volunteering and why this is core to Dawn's objectives for the year.

Electric Vehicles are seen as part of a sustainable future, but irrespective of affordability and appeal, are there more fundamental issues facing the electrification of the car fleet? Have we optimised the technology and, more specifically, do we have the resources to fulfil future requirements? Essential materials are not always abundant. E+T’s Tim Fryer and Jack Loughran discussed the issues with Louis Piper, Professor of Electrochemical Materials at WMG, University of Warwick.

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In this episode of E+T of the Page, Tim Fry, Jack Loughran, Tanya Weaver, and guest Oliver Deed, co-founder of communications consultancy ECF, explore why public opinion and the built environment are often at odds—and how better communication could help bridge the gap. The discussion ranges from the challenges of planning major infrastructure and housing projects to the role of developers in ensuring local communities are happy with their projects. From HS2 to local housing schemes, the conversation highlights how trust, transparency, and genuine dialogue can turn conflict into solutions and help ease Britain’s housing shortage.

From the first pacemakers of the 1950s to cutting-edge brain and spinal cord stimulation, implantable medical devices have come a long way – but the real breakthroughs might still be ahead. In this episode of Off The Page, E&T’s Tim Fryer and Jack Loughran speak with Professor Nick Donaldson of University College London about the science, engineering, and ethics behind modern implants.

We explore how bioelectronic medicine could transform treatment for spinal injuries, chronic pain, mental illness, and inflammatory diseases – and why regulation, cost, and complexity still stand in the way. From restoring lost movement to the possibility of “programmable” implants for a range of conditions, we discuss what’s real, what’s next, and what it will take to bring these innovations to patients.

The pace of gaming innovation between the years 1990 and 2010 saw a drastic shift from 2d sprites moving linearly across flat landscapes to fully-realised 3D worlds presenting an almost limitless array of gameplay options.

But as development costs skyrocket and physical hardware reaches its limits, the question becomes: where does gaming go from here? Have we now entered an era of diminishing returns where AAA games cost more than your average Hollywood film only to deliver a set of experiences that are long familiar to seasoned gamers? Or do promising technologies like AI, virtual reality, 5G and ray tracing offer a glimpse into a future of possibilities that gamers can only imagine?

These are the topics discussed in this podcast with our special guest, Dr Mariza Dima. If you want to hear more from Mariza, she has her own podcast, Mixed Reality in Culture, that can be found here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7m4PtmI26UaeabUUMLh8ph