Hosted by: Tim Fryer, Jack Loughran and Tanya WeaverSpecial Guest: Simon Swales, Senior Consultant, Mindset PracticeEngineers don’t have it easy. Barely manageable workloads, zero tolerance towards making mistakes, frequently morphing into roles that go beyond their engineering roots - like management, finances, logistics etc - excessive travel and yet solitary nature of the task - all are contributorary factors in making engineering a mentally tough occupation. It is no surprise then that engineer burnout is not just a recognisable condition, but a growing problem. In this podcast we discuss why it is problem that can no longer be ignored.Regulars Tim Fryer, Jack Loughran and Tanya Weaver are joined by guest Simon Swales, Senior Consultant, Mindset Practice
--------
41:01
Is the AI bubble about to burst?
While Artificial Intelligence is on everyone's lips as the key to the development of just about everything, more practical issues are resulting in a re-evaluation of where the technology might take us. Public uptake and trepidation on the user side are added to by energy consumption, LLM limitations and profitability on the technology development side. All this and more is discussed in the latest E+T Off The Page podcast. Regulars Jack Loughran and Tanya Weaver are joined by guest Julie Wall, Professor of AI & Advanced Computing, University of West London.
--------
42:25
Trump's America - what does it mean for the global tech sector?
Few modern day politicians are as divisive as Donald Trump - but what does his forthcoming presidency mean for the tech sector, both in the US and around the world? Will import tariffs kill trade and result in hyper inflation? Or will they stimulate the tech manufacturing sector within the USA? Will removing red tape help innovation, particularly in areas such as AI, where a tech race is on with China? And will the climate change process take a hit if Trump pulls America out of the Paris Agreement.Regulars Tim Fryer and Tanya Weaver form the E+T editorial team discussed all this with Paul Dempsey, long-time American correspondent and geopolitical expert on the technology and engineering sector.
--------
38:46
The ethics and economics - does space tourism stack up?
This episode of E+T: Off the Page looks into the divisive world of space tourism. Regular contributors Tim Fryer, Jack Loughran and Tanya Weaver are joined by Dr Simon Foster from Imperial College London to discuss whether space tourism has a sustainable, meaningful future, or if it’s just an extravagant venture for the wealthy. The engages in thoughtful debate on whether space tourism can inspire a new generation toward STEM or if its environmental impact and exclusivity overshadow any potential benefits.The conversation also weaves through the evolution of rocket technology, from Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic flights to Elon Musk's reusable rockets at SpaceX and explores the current ticket prices, environmental consequences, and regulatory complexities surrounding private space flights.
--------
38:33
Biotechnology was going to change the world - but has it delivered?
Are you curious about the future of biotechnology? Regular contributors Tim Fryer, Jack Loughran and Tanya Weaver are joined by expert guest Professor Karen Polizzi from Imperial College London, as they explore the strides and setbacks in biotechnology – an industry often touted as transformative but still misunderstood. From bioengineering breakthroughs to the ethical puzzles posed by genetically modified crops and lab-grown meat, this episode offers a down-to-earth view on whether biotechnology is living up to the hype. Professor Polizzi shares first-hand knowledge of industry shifts in health, agriculture, and even energy, shedding light on what's driving these changes and what hurdles remain.Why aren't we all eating lab-grown burgers yet? Will biotechnology one day replace petrochemicals or conventional farming? With a blend of humour, film references, and deep scientific insights, this episode tackles the fascinating potential of biotechnology, balancing promise with reality.