Science, Faith & AI: What’s the Best Explanation for Reality? | Paul Ewart & Simon Walker-Samuel

What does it mean to be human in a universe of atoms, AI and possible aliens? In this lively and good-humoured conversation, two leading physicists go head-to-head on science, religion and the nature of reality. Professor Paul Ewart (Oxford University, former Chair of Christians in Science) and Professor Simon Walker-Samuel (UCL, trustee of Humanists UK, pioneer in AI-driven cancer research) join Dr Sam McKee at John Colet School, UK. 00:00 Science vs Religion & Reality — Intro 01:00 Meet the speakers — Oxford atomic physics & UCL biophysics 03:00 AI in medicine — digital twins, biophysics & personalised cancer care 05:00 What is Humanism? Humanism vs atheism explained 07:00 Can empathy, art & morality be explained by evolution? 10:30 How science works — models, assumptions & limits 12:30 “God of the gaps” or complementarity? Science & faith 14:30 Evidence vs proof — can we test or measure God? 16:00 Are we more than atoms? Consciousness, mind & emergence 24:30 Meaning & purpose — why is there “something rather than nothing”? 30:00 Will technology & AI replace religion? 31:30 Science, secularisation & society (US vs Europe) 33:30 Christianity’s impact — human rights, abolition & Tom Holland’s “Dominion” 35:30 Reductionism vs emergence — can love be explained by physics? 38:00 Audience Q&A begins 39:00 Does faith motivate scientific research? 40:00 Can we build instruments to detect the divine? 42:00 Fine-tuning of the universe — anthropic principle vs design 44:00 Was intelligent life inevitable? 45:00 Are aliens real? Life beyond Earth, NASA/JPL & astrobiology 48:00 Salvation & seeking God — what if I never find faith? 50:00 Wrap-up & thanks Together, they tackle: Can science explain everything? Is consciousness more than the brain? Does morality require God? Are love and meaning just chemical reactions? What happens when AI becomes more like us? A thoughtful, respectful exchange for classrooms, curious minds and lifelong learners. Support & Subscribe • Support our work: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate • Listen to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://www.premier.plus/unbelievable • Free resources & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com Follow Premier Unbelievable? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PremierUnbelievable/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premierunbelievable TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@premierunbelievable X (Twitter): https://x.com/unbelievablefe Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/unbelievablefe.bsky.social