The BBC will launch a week-long themed programming event in March under the banner AI Unpacked Week, exploring the social impact of artificial intelligence.
The initiative brings together scripted and unscripted content, aiming to inform and engage audiences around the growing role of AI in everyday life.
Factual series AI Confidential with Hannah Fry examines extreme and often unsettling stories from the front lines of the AI revolution, ranging from people falling in love with AI chatbots to robots making life-or-death decisions.
In scripted drama, EastEnders will introduce a storyline in which a character becomes increasingly reliant on AI software while struggling to cope with grief, weaving the technology directly into its emotional narrative.
Meanwhile, the third season of thriller The Capture centres on conspiracies involving AI-generated deepfake footage, reflecting growing concerns around misinformation and digital manipulation.
In news and current affairs, BBC Panorama: Will Robots Take My Job? investigates the rise of robots in the workplace, while Tech Now will air special AI-focused editions presented by Joe Tidy on March 7 and 8.
According to new BBC research, weekly AI usage has risen from 10% in 2023 to 33% today. The fastest growth has been recorded among viewers aged 55 and over (a 250% increase), followed by the 45–54 age group (up 220%).
The BBC describes the moment as a major technological turning point, underlining its role as a trusted guide for audiences navigating the AI era.
