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An artificial intelligence program could soon create a digital version of yourself. So, what are the implications when that’s possible? Rob LoCascio is the founder and CEO of LivePerson, a company that develops conversational commerce and AI software. Ricky Mulvey caught up with LoCascio to discuss how artificial intelligence will change how you interact with brands, Starboard Value’s campaign to change LivePerson’s board and CEO, the unlocks that quantum computing could provide tech companies, and what natural language processing programs are revealing about interspecies communication. Companies mentioned: LPSN, GOOG, GOOGL. Host - Ricky Mulvey, Guest - Rob LoCascio

Join Adam Cox as he speaks with Hugo Griffiths, an automotive expert from carwow, to delve into groundbreaking research exploring the sentiments of the British public regarding Clean Air Zones and their functionality. Together, they examine the financial implications of driving a non-compliant vehicle within these zones and explore whether it's more economically viable to replace your current vehicle or opt for regular journeys within these restricted areas. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that uncovers the true costs and considerations associated with Clean Air Zones. www.carwow.co.uk

If you're anxious about your ongoing health after Covid or any other illness, this could be for you. Many people, particularly worried about the impact of 'Long Covid', harbour a fear of impending doom: potential breathing difficulties or worries about sense of taste or smell. Adam Cox takes you through suggestions about how to be more optimistic about health and future vitality, pointing out that the immune system is better prepared to deal with future challenges as a result of experiencing viruses.

Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the rise of the Japanese stock market, which has hit a 33-year-high. He points out that it is still a quarter below its all-time high, hit on the last day of 1989. After debt-fuelled craziness saw the land of the Imperial Palace worth more than all of California before a collapse, and with decades of QE since, foreign investors have long neglected the market. Japanese companies have become more shareholder-friendly than they used to be. Russ explains that it could be wisest for UK investors, if considering Japan, to use active or passive collective investments, rather than relying on individual shares.

Steve Caplin enlightens Simon Rose on the latest tech. Which? says that facial recognition on cheap smartphones can be unlocked by photos. Disney is shutting its Star Wars hotel, K9 Jets will let you travel with your dog – for a price, Tesla's bot Optimus is upgraded, AI can now create 3D-models, even from text, Google's AI is having trouble creating music, free WiFi on trains may disappear and the Spanish government want to develop an app to ensure that husbands do their fair share of housework.

An ebullulient James Cameron-Wilson guides Simon Rose through the UK box office chart, welcoming FastX, the 10th in the franchise, to the #1 spot. He found it has plenty of laughs, shocks, surprises & thrills, though its opening of £5.9m is well down on previous iterations. He also recommends Are You There, God? It's Margaret, which opened at #4. Based on the Judy Plume novel, he thought it a touching and charming gem. His DVD of the month is the Belgian Oscar-nominated drama Close, which won last year's Grand Prix at Cannes. James thought it one of the most remarkable films he has seen for some time.

Political commentator Mike Indian discusses the news that net immigration hit 606,000 last year and explains why the UK is proving such a magnet for incomers. He looks at the call from the Covid inquiry for Boris Johnson to hand over his WhatsApp messages and the controversy over Suella Braverman and her speeding offence. And he looks across the Atlantic at the malfunctioning Twitter interview with Ron DeSantis and considers how unlikely it is that he can unseat Donald Trump as the Republican Presidential candidate.

“The [Child Trust Fund] scheme has been closed to new entrants for over 12 years. In this time HMRC has been focusing resources on evaluating and improving existing schemes. We will continue to keep the need to evaluate old schemes under review.” So said Andrew Griffith MP, Economic Secretary to HM Treasury in reply to a parliamentary question from John Ashworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. But this is not an 'old scheme' — there is currently over £1.7 billion sitting in mature accounts belonging to over 900,000 mainly low-income young adults throughout the UK who don't know anything about their good fortune! Their Child Trust Fund harvest is seeing too little action at present: but it's not too late to get it sorted, and the current focus from the National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee will certainly help. Background music: 'Hopeful Freedom' by Asher Fulero

Young adults with Child Trust Funds are personal investors, but over 40% of them don't know it. On Thursday 18th May the Public Accounts Committee met to find out more: this is the first half of their hearing following the March 2023 publication of a National Audit Office landmark report and its investigation into the Child Trust Fund scheme. Witnesses who took part were, for HM Revenue and Customs, Jim Harra and Emily Antcliffe, and for The Share Foundation, Gavin Oldham and Anthony Walker. Members of the Public Accounts Committee (all MPs) who attended were Dame Meg Hillier (chair), Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Deputy Chair), Olivia Blake, Flick Drummond, Peter Grant, Jill Mortimer and Nick Smith. The hearing ran for over an hour and a half: this is the first 48 minutes.

Young adults with Child Trust Funds are personal investors, but over 40% of them don't know it. On Thursday 18th May the Public Accounts Committee met to find out more: this is the second half of their hearing following the March 2023 publication of a National Audit Office landmark report and its investigation into the Child Trust Fund scheme. Witnesses who took part were, for HM Revenue and Customs, Jim Harra and Emily Antcliffe, and for The Share Foundation, Gavin Oldham and Anthony Walker. Members of the Public Accounts Committee (all MPs) who attended were Dame Meg Hillier (chair), Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Deputy Chair), Olivia Blake, Flick Drummond, Peter Grant, Jill Mortimer and Nick Smith. The hearing ran for over an hour and a half: this is the second 48 minutes.