Scotcast

• Is AI a threat to musicians?

  The UK is at the forefront of an AI copyright debate, with politicians deciding whether to allow AI models to use music without paying artists for their work. Scottish band Glasvegas joined more than a thousand artists in releasing a silent album in protest at the plans. They want the government to side with creatives over technology companies. Robert Allan, lead guitarist in the band (pictured) and Sidrah Hassan, an AI ethicist, discuss what it could mean for the future of music. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

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• Booze back on tracks

  The alcohol ban on ScotRail trains, which has been in place since the Covid pandemic, will be scrapped. Martin and Laura discuss why the Scottish Government dropped the measure. And we ask Kirsty Mulcahy (pictured) from Sober Buzz what the change tells us about our drinking culture. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

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• Election 2026 predictions

  First Minister John Swinney has revealed his programme for government for the next year to MSPs at Holyrood - including plans to scrap peak rail fares, tackle youth anti-social behaviour on buses and to increase in GP appointments. Oppositions parties say his government has run out of ideas. And with one year to go before Scots go to the polls, we ask Bernard Ponsonby and Andy Maciver (pictured) to predict the results of the vote. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

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  32:36
• Why we need more babies

  Scots are, on average, having fewer children than ever before. And our population is ageing rapidly. We ask demographer Paul Morland, author of ‘No One Left: Why the World Needs More Children’, why our falling birth rate is such a big problem – and how we can fix it. And Kryptonite: Martin responds to Laura and Natalie’s allegation he had no idea what he was talking about. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins. Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

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• Karen Dunbar: ‘What is laughter?’

  Actor, comedian and star of ‘Chewin’ the Fat’, Karen Dunbar, drops by the studio to discuss fame, cancel culture and what it means to laugh. Scotcast is the BBC’s Scottish news podcast, with Martin Geissler, Laura Miller and Natalie Higgins.This episode contains some use of strong language.Get in touch with us by emailing [email protected]

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