AI Series: Robots aren't replacing doctors (yet), but they sure are helping them

All week long, we've been hearing from experts about how AI systems are having real impacts on our lives today. Yesterday on the program we heard about how people are using AI to level up their dating lives — with mixed results. And while AI may still be struggling to figure out how to turn introverted nineteen-year-olds into suave pick-up artists, one area it's finding success in is medicine. AI has shown promise in detecting early signs of breast cancer and has also become a vital tool in the field of radiology. Today on AirTalk, Austin Cross speaks with Dr. Charles Kahn, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine and editor of the journal Radiology: Artificial, and Elise Reuter, senior reporter at the medical technology news publication MedTech Dive about how AI is changing the way we think about our health.

What keeps us hooked to physical media?

It might be time to dust off that old cassette player you got stored away ‘cause tape is making a comeback! That’s according to a recent report from Music Week which found cassette sales up 204% in the first quarter of 2025. But it’s not just tapes, vinyl sales are continuing to rise — taking in a record $1.4 billion dollars in the U.S. last year. In a world of nearly endless streaming options, what is it about physical media that keeps people coming back? Joining us this morning to talk about the continuing popularity of media you can hold in your hands is the co-owner of Amoeba Music, Jim Henderson. Also joining us is Bailey Moses, senior production manager for iam8bit. We also want to hear from you! What motivates you to purchase a physical album or movie? Why is physical media so special to you? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Food Friday BBQ Series: Maple Block Meat Co.

Is the meat only as good as the wood you smoke it with? For a lot of BBQ joints, the answer is yes. And in the case of Maple Block Meat Co. the answer is, "most definitely." The Culver City restaurant is known for its wood-smoked meats, many of which take hours to prepare. LA and smoked meat may seem like contradictory statements, but as our month-long BBQ series has shown, Los Angeles may be coming for Texas's BBQ crown. Joining us today to talk about the process of smoking a great brisket is Daniel Weinstock, owner of Maple Block Meat Co. with locations in Culver City and Grand Central Market.

FilmWeek: 'Final Destination: Bloodlines, 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' 'Deaf President Now!,' 'Caught By The Tides,' and more

Guest host Austin Cross and LAist film critics Manuel Betancourt and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming platforms.

• Final Destination: Bloodlines Wide Release
  
• Hurry Up Tomorrow Wide Release
  
• Deaf President Now! Laemmle Santa Monica|Streaming on Apple TV+
  
• Caught by the Tides Laemmle Royal
  
• Black Tea Laemmle Royal
  
• The RuseWide Release
• The Old Woman With The Knife In Select Theaters
  
• The Grotto Laemmle NoHo 7
  
• Untold: The Fall of Favre Streaming on Netflix May 20
  
• Desert Dawn In Select Theaters
  

Feature: Colin Blunstone and Robert Schwartzman talk 'Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary'

For those who grew up during the British Rock Invasion of the 1960s, you’re probably familiar with many of the names who made their way through the U.S. charts, one such being the psychedelic rock band The Zombies. For a lot of younger generations— their name might not ring a bell— but it might not take too long into their hit song Time of the Season to understand just how important of a band they are. A new feature by filmmaker and musician Robert Schwartzman titled Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary tells the life and legacy of the band, with in-depth interviews with band members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent. Today on AirTalk, we’ll discuss the new documentary with filmmaker Robert Schwartzman and The Zombies frontman, Colin Blunstone.