AI Confidential: New OU / BBC Series Investigates the Human Impact of the AI Revolution

Posted on 23 February 2026 • TV and radio

A new OU / BBC series, AI Confidential with Hannah Fry begins Monday 23 February at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Presented by Professor Hannah Fry, the series explores some of the most shocking, surprising, and revealing stories emerging from the global AI revolution. Across the series, Hannah investigates what happens when powerful new technologies collide with real human lives, uncovering both the harm AI can cause and the extraordinary potential it holds for society.

From the British teenager whose AI chatbot encouraged him to attempt a violent crime, to the first pedestrian killed by a driverless car, and the algorithm that may have influenced one of the most infamous murder cases of recent years, AI Confidential takes a deep dive into the real‑world consequences of AI systems.

During a recent screening of AI Confidential, Professor Hannah Fry spoke about the importance of making this documentary.

“It’s very different to think about it theoretically to have these overarching theses about what AI means from humanity. When you really get to sit with the people whose lives have genuinely been ruined by the decision of an algorithm, it doesn’t just add colour to the things I was already studying, it changes how they look.”

The series was supported by Dr Paul Piwek, Senior Lecturer in School of Computing & Communications and, Dr Samara Banno, Lecturer in School of Computing & Communications who provided the academic expertise for the programme.

Dr Piwek says:

“It was a pleasure to collaborate with Curious Films and BBC on this series, who developed creative and accessible ways to present the mathematics and science behind AI in an engaging way.

Hannah Fry brought the stories to life in each episode, and it was incredibly rewarding to be involved from the start of development right through to seeing the finished programmes.”

 

AI Confidential forms part of the BBC’s wider AI Unpacked Week, with The Open University partnering across the initiative to bring academic expertise to audiences nationwide. Through contributions from its STEM experts, the University is supporting the BBC helping viewers better understand how AI works and how it is shaping society.

AI Unpacked runs between 2–8 March 2026 across BBC TV, radio and online.

Supporting Online content:

Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site, OU Connect, where you can explore real-world examples of how scientists are using AI to improve human lives.

This series was commissioned by Broadcast & Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of STEM, with particular relevance to Q88 | BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence, R38 | BSc (Hons) Data Science and Q62 | BSc (Hons) Computing and IT.

Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast & Partnerships

• Academic Consultant: Dr Samara Banno and Dr Paul Piwek

• Media Fellow: Dr Andrew Potter

• Broadcast Project Manager: Matthew Ray

• Supporting Online Content: Xinmiao Zhang

Image credit: Curious Films Ltd