The BBC’s research and development (R&D) team is on a mission to make technology accessible, either for free or at a low cost. Jatin Aythora, the department’s director, emphasizes that this commitment to public service has been a core part of their work for years.
Aythora is focused on driving technical breakthroughs that the news and media industry can leverage. His team develops technology that serves the wider UK society while keeping costs low for the BBC. “We all center our efforts on the BBC’s public purpose, aimed at research and development for the greater good,” he says.
Aythora’s journey began as an engineer, and he’s switched industries throughout his career. “Every job change led me to a new sector,” he notes. This diverse experience has fueled his learning, a vital quality in technology leadership. “Curiosity and the ability to learn are crucial,” he adds. They build confidence and deepen knowledge.
When asked about applying tech skills across sectors, Aythora points out that technology challenges are often similar, regardless of the industry. “What matters most is how you apply technology in your organization,” he explains. Technology must deliver value and connect to return on investment.
One of the notable projects the BBC R&D team has tackled is content authenticity. “Verifying content is essential today,” Aythora states. People encounter questionable news every day and often seek other sources to confirm what they read. The team has collaborated with Microsoft to create “Content Credentials,” a method for verifying information. “This shows how knowledge can transfer from one industry to another,” he explains.
Aythora recalls his previous role at De Beers, where proving a diamond’s origins was crucial. This challenge led to the creation of the Forevermark technology, which tracks a diamond’s journey. “The same concept applies to BBC content,” he says, ensuring that the source of media shared on social platforms can be verified.
For Aythora, this issue goes beyond the BBC; it’s a challenge for the entire tech industry. “The standards we created are now being used by major firms like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft,” he notes. The BBC news site includes a feature that lets readers verify information’s authenticity, leveraging metadata like timestamps and weather conditions to confirm the accuracy of images.
Another exciting initiative is the New Music Portal, which aims to engage younger audiences with radio through virtual worlds. “We’ve explored how to make performances interactive for younger generations,” Aythora explains. The portal allows fans to join live events as avatars, navigating the venue like a video game. “Access is simple; all you need is an internet-connected device,” he adds.
BBC R&D also has a long-term view of technology, focusing especially on AI. “We take speech-to-text for granted now, but a decade ago, it was different,” Aythora recalls. The team once led the market in accuracy but has since evolved, combining in-house capabilities with external technologies for richer experiences. The BBC is looking into using AI for video as well, with a particular interest in detecting deep fakes. “We must be able to recognize when visual content has been altered,” he says.
Delivering services affordably at scale is the BBC’s biggest challenge. “We’re a public service with limited funds,” Aythora says, distinguishing their mission from commercial organizations that often prioritize profit. He believes leaders must be patient, managing both challenges and opportunities with care. “Patience is essential for leadership,” he emphasizes.
Aythora also advises IT leaders to validate their ideas. “Don’t assume your idea is the best without checking with others,” he suggests. Confidence grows through validation, even if some ideas don’t pan out. “Good ideas will eventually find their time,” he adds.
In the tech field, leaders often face obstacles, but perseverance is crucial. Aythora encapsulates this mindset: “Self-belief isn’t instant; it grows over time. It’s a journey.”