The future on screen · PBS
NOVA: A.I. Revolution, what the evidence says about artificial intelligence
What the documentary covers, where its subjects stand on the 311 Starburst and what leaders should take from it.
What it covers
About the documentary
A one-hour NOVA documentary, first shown on PBS on 27 March 2024, in which correspondent Miles O'Brien investigates how researchers are using AI to tackle problems in medicine, science and climate, and the risks that come with it, from deepfakes to fears of losing control. It was made by MOBIAS Media for GBH.
- Broadcaster
- PBS
- Made by
- MOBIAS Media for GBH (NOVA)
- First shown
- 27 March 2024 (PBS)
What the evidence says
Where artificial intelligence stands in 2026
The 311 Starburst maps when each emerging technology and trend is expected to reach wide use. These are the entries that match this subject, with their status today.
- Technology · IntelligenceLarge Language Models
Large language models are AI programs trained on huge amounts of text. They can write, answer questions and translate, and they power chatbots such as Claude.
- Expected wide use
- 2024
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Readiness
- TRL 9 of 9
- Technology · IntelligenceArtificial General Intelligence
Artificial general intelligence is a machine that could do any thinking task a person can. It does not exist yet, and experts disagree on when it might.
- Expected wide use
- 2033
- Status in 2026
- Explore
- Readiness
- TRL 3 of 9
- Trend · TechnologicalArtificial Intelligence
- Expected wide use
- 2024
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · R&D TrendsAI Accelerated Science
- Expected wide use
- 2030
- Status in 2026
- Prepare
- Trend · Security TrendsDeepfake Impersonation Fraud
- Expected wide use
- 2027
- Status in 2026
- Act now
- Trend · Pharmaceuticals & Life SciencesLate Stage AI Drugs
- Expected wide use
- 2031
- Status in 2026
- Explore
Source: the 311 Starburst, researched by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (data built 2026-10-28). Status rings: Act now means wide use by 2027, Prepare 2028 to 2030, Explore 2031 to 2035, Watch 2036 or later. Explore the Starburst Centre.
311 analysis
What leaders should take from it
- The biggest gains from AI are in science and medicine; ask how faster discovery changes your sector's pipeline.
- Deepfakes are already a fraud tool; train finance and leadership teams to verify before they act.
- Hold two ideas at once: AI is useful now and needs governance now.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
Next steps
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Answers
Common questions
When was NOVA A.I. Revolution first shown?
On PBS on 27 March 2024. It runs for one hour.
Who made NOVA A.I. Revolution?
MOBIAS Media made it for GBH, which produces NOVA for PBS.