BBC Radio 4 is to air a five-part series next week presented by Emeritus Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, on “some of the most pressing moral issues of our time”.

Morality In The 21st Century, which is scheduled to air daily from Monday, will have Rabbi Lord Sacks and his guests explore topics including: the impact of social media on young people; Artificial Intelligence and the future of humanity; the impact of individualism and multiculturalism on communities.

Those taking part will include Melinda Gates, philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Steven Pinker, cognitive psychologist, linguist and author, Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and Jordan Peterson, the Canadian clinical psychologist.

Rabbi Lord Sacks will also speak to groups of teenagers aged 16 to 18, discussing their own opinions on the issues under discussion, and examining with them what the implications of their opinions might be.

The Emeritus Chief Rabbi described it as “a privilege and honour to be joined on this journey by so many of the world’s leading thinkers, as well as impressive representatives of the next generation who are going to have to be at the forefront of addressing these challenges.”

Christine Morgan, head of radio, religion and ethics at the BBC, described the series as “ambitious”, fulfilling the organisation’s pledge to “broaden the impact and reach of our programming on religion and ethics".

She said: “I can think of no better person than Rabbi Sacks to help to lead this investigation and give audiences a greater insight into the big issues of our time.”

Morality In The 21st Century will air on BBC Radio Four at 9am from Monday September 3 to Friday September 7