You have full access to this article via your institution.
Download the Nature Podcast 08 October 2025
In this episode:
00:48 The stereotypes hidden in Internet images
Stereotyped assumptions about women’s ages and their perceived job suitability are enhanced by Internet imagery, according to new research. A study of hundreds of thousands of online images shows that women appear younger than men. This stereotype extends to the jobs that people perceive women do, with men being associated with roles such as CEO or head of research, while women were linked to occupations like cook or nurse. The research shows that these biases have been embedded into the training data for AI models and could affect future hiring. The researchers caution that society is at risk of creating a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ where these stereotypes shape the real world.
Research Article: Guilbeault et al.
News and Views: Distorted representations of age and gender are reflected in AI models
13:24 Research Highlights
A very hungry planet — plus, how climate change is leading to larger trees in the Amazon.
Research Highlight: ‘Rogue’ planet is fastest-growing ever observed
Research Highlight: Trees of the Amazon are becoming even mightier
15:49 Astronomers name their favourite exoplanet
Thirty years ago, astronomers announced the discovery of the first exoplanet around a Sun-like star, sparking a renewed passion into spotting these planets that lie beyond our Solar System. In celebration, Nature asked researchers to tell us about their favourites.
News: These alien planets are astronomers’ favourites: here’s why
Hear the music of a distant planetary system
25:51 Nobel news
Flora Graham from the Nature Briefing joins us to talk about the winners of this year’s science Nobel prizes.
Nature: Medicine Nobel goes to scientists who revealed secrets of immune system ‘regulation’
Nature: Groundbreaking quantum-tunnelling experiments win physics Nobel
Nature: Chemistry Nobel for scientists who developed massively porous ‘super sponge’ materials
Nature: Will AI ever win its own Nobel? Some predict a prize-worthy science discovery soon
Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music or your favourite podcast app. An RSS feed for the Nature Podcast is available too.
