Prince Harry and a robot to guest edit Today programme

Prince Harry and AI software will both guest edit Radio 4's Today programme for two special editions between Christmas and New Year.

Kensington Palace has stated Prince Harry will be using the opportunity to "shine a spotlight on a number of issues that are close to his heart" including youth violence, conservation, and mental health.

A spokesperson added: “Prince Harry is grateful to have Today’s considerable reach to shine a spotlight on a number of issues that are close to his heart. He is working closely with Today’s team to produce segments on a range of topics, including youth violence, conservation and mental health.”

The AI episode will see the software conduct an interview through a presenter modelled on Mishal Husain, though the BBC has stated it's still working on the exact format; alongside global experts discussing the ramifications of AI in daily life and how it could be utilised to remove human error.

The Today programme's Christmas editions have a tradition of recruiting high profile guest editors, who are responsible for about half of the programme's content; others will include Lady Trumpington, the 95-year-old Conservative peer who worked at Bletchley Park during WWII, exploring issues around the legalisation of brothels.

Tamara Rojo, the artistic director and lead principal dancer of the English National Ballet and Benjamin Okri, the poet and novelist who wrote a poem about the Grenfell Tower fire, will also guest edit a show.

Sarah Sands, the editor of Today, said: “We are delighted by the range of guest editors this year. This Christmas tradition allows our listeners to benefit from the experiences and perspectives of remarkable public figures. We finish with a programme dedicated to AI which gives a glimpse of the future of Today.”

Guest editors from previous years include the physicist Stephen Hawking, lawyer Miriam González-Durántez, Sarah Fergusion, Duchess of York, and Sebastian Coe, president of the IAAF.

The dates of the two specials are yet to be announced.

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