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Prince Harry and Robot to Edit Radio Program

Prince Harry and Robot to Edit Radio Program

Friday, 24 November, 2017 - 09:00
Britain's Prince Harry in Sandringham, Britain, December 25, 2016. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Prince Harry and a robot have been announced as two guest editors on Radio 4's Today Program for two special editions between Christmas and New Year.


Kensington Palace has stated Prince Harry will be using the opportunity to "shine a spotlight on a number of issues that are close to his heart" including youth violence, conservation, and mental health.


A spokesperson added: “Prince Harry is grateful to have Today’s considerable reach to shine a spotlight on a number of issues that are close to his heart.”


The palace added: "He is working closely with Today's team to produce segments on a range of topics, including youth violence, conservation and mental health."


The robot edition of the show will use Artificial Intelligence to conduct an interview through a journalist modeled on current presenter Mishal Husain.


In addition, it will ask experts about the ramifications of AI in daily life, whether it can replicate human characteristics, and how it could be utilized to remove human error.


The Today program Christmas editions have a tradition of recruiting high profile guest editors, who are responsible for about half of the program's content; others will include 95-year-old Conservative peer Baroness Trumpington, who was a Land Girl and worked in code-breaking at Bletchley Park during World War Two.


Tamara Rojo, the artistic director and lead principal dancer of the English National Ballet and Benjamin Okri, the poet and novelist who wrote a poem about the Grenfell Tower fire, will also guest edit a show.


Sarah Sands, the editor of Today, said: “We are delighted by the range of guest editors this year. This Christmas tradition allows our listeners to benefit from the experiences and perspectives of remarkable public figures. We finish with a program dedicated to AI which gives a glimpse of the future of Today.”


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