In this special edition recorded live at the 2025 Wilberforce Lecture we tackle technology unleashed.

From de-extinction, gene editing, robot pets, AI conversations with animals to alternative proteins, how do we harness technology to create a better world for animals?

Host Kate Quilton is joined by special guests Melanie Challenger, RSPCA Vice President, writer, researcher and broadcaster, Jane Lawton, Managing Director of the Earth Species Project and Thomas Schultz-Jagow, RSPCA Director of Advocacy and Prevention.

Steve Backshall MBE has loved nature from almost the very first moment he could move around.

Since then, nature has given him a career - but also remains one of his favourite ways to spend his spare time, to support his wellbeing and to enjoy life with his family.

But why is nature so important to him, and his children? And how can it compete with the television screens and smart phones always vying for our attention?

Host Kate Quilton chats to the TV presenter, naturalist and broadcaster about his enthusiasm for nature, sharing the importance of the outdoors with others, and what the future may hold for the natural world and wildlife - both in England and Wales, and further afield.

Steve also considers whether there is a tipping point that could encourage society to take nature more seriously - and swing people's perspectives to live their lives in a way that is kinder to all animals. He also talks about why we need to ensure nature feels accessible to people from all walks of life.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project, which explores five possible scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People can have their say on the future of animal welfare by joining The Big Conversation, and by playing the RSPCA’s Animal Futures game.

Host: Kate Quilton

Guests: Steve Backshall, MBE

Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation

Society has always been fascinated by the prospect of one day being able to talk to animals.

But if we did all turn into Dr. Dolittle overnight, what would animals want to tell us? And would we like what they have to say?

And amid the growth of artificial intelligence, will we soon be able to communicate better with our animals than ever before? Or is the proliferation of bad advice online, and the way some animals remain undervalued by society, mean we're a bit tone deaf to animals' wants and needs?

Broadcaster and journalist Kate Quilton is in conversation with Professor Daniel Mills, from the University of Lincoln, who has spearheaded research about the variety of facial expressions pulled by cats, and utilises computer vision technology to interpret what they mean. He discusses how we process information about what our pets are thinking and feeling; and considers whether animals would ever even want to have conversations with humans!

Kate also catches up with the RSPCA’s own Dr Samantha Gaines, who is the charity’s Head of Companion Animals. She talks about whether we are any good at reading our pets signals, and how the internet can be both a force for good and bad in sharing animal training information. In a must-listen moment, she also grapples with the challenging topic of how we can ever truly know if the pets we share our homes with are happy.

The Animal Futures podcast is part of the RSPCA Animal Futures Project, which explores five possible scenarios of what the world could be like for animals in 2050. People can have their say on the future of animal welfare by joining The Big Conversation, and playing the RSPCA’s Animal Futures game.

Host: Kate Quilton

Guests: Professor Daniel Mills and Dr Samantha Gaines

Produced by: Mark Adams, Chris O'Brien, Emily Prideaux and Jo Toscano.

Animal Futures Project: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/animalfutures

Animal Futures Game: https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/animalfutures/

Animal Futures: The Big Conversation: http://rspca.org.uk/bigconversation