Rephonic
Artwork for Ethical Machines

Ethical Machines

Reid Blackman
Artificial Intelligence
AI Ethics
Ethics
Generative AI
Large Language Models
Agentic AI
AI Agents
Deepfakes
Corporations
Cybersecurity
Ethics Of AI
Risk Management
Philosophy
Bias In AI
Technology Ethics
Chatgpt
AI Relationships
Digital Duplicates
Data Privacy
EU AI Act

I have to roll my eyes at the constant click bait headlines on technology and ethics.

If we want to get anything done, we need to go deeper.

That’s where I come in. I’m Reid Blackman, a former philosophy professor turned AI ethics advisor to government and business.

If you’re looking for a podcast that has no tolerance for the superficial, try out Ethical Machines.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes97Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Ethical Machines

Latest Episodes

Here are three paradoxes, according to Virginia Dignum, my guest today: 1. The more capable AI becomes, the more it reveals the richness and complexity of human intelligence. 2. Less bias in AI does not necessarily create more justice. 3. The pursuit... more

Jonathan Schaeffer thinks we're building AI the wrong way.

While large language models have produced remarkable results, he argues that hallucinations, bias, and unreliability aren't bugs that can be fixed—they're consequences of the underlying arch... more

My guest, Mona Sloane, author of Predicted: How AI Is Restructuring Social Life, argues that AI has become part of our social infrastructure. Its predictive systems increasingly shape how we work, find information, build relationships, and navigate s... more

Science depends on more than just results. It depends on researchers asking questions, testing hypotheses, challenging assumptions, and scrutinizing evidence.

My guest, Emily Sullivan, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Science and AI at the Universit... more

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Schaeffer
Professor of Computer Science at the University of Alberta; co-founder of Oliya
University of Alberta; Oliya
Episode: LLMs are the Wrong Kind of AI
Mona Sloane
Assistant Professor of Data Science and Media Studies, University of Virginia; author of Predicted, How AI Is Restructuring Social Life
University of Virginia
Episode: AI is Social Infrastructure
Emily Sullivan
Senior lecturer of philosophy of science and AI at the University of Edinburgh; co-director of the Center for Technomoral Futures; associate editor for the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
University of Edinburgh
Episode: How AI Threatens Scientific Inquiry
Fabio Tollen
Postdoctoral researcher, Bridging Responsible AI (BRAID) program, University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Episode: Who is Responsible for AI Agents?
Gillian Hadfield
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of AI Alignment and Governance at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Creating AIs with a Normative Capacity
Antonio Zappulla
CEO of the Thompson Reuters Foundation
Thomson Reuters Foundation
Episode: AI Governance is Lagging
Kaite Fowler
Director of Responsible Business at Thompson Reuters Foundation
Thomson Reuters Foundation
Episode: AI Governance is Lagging
Carissa Véliz
Associate Professor at the Institute for Ethics in AI, University of Oxford; author
University of Oxford
Episode: Predictions are Commands
Patrick Sullivan
VP of Strategy and Innovation at A-Lign, expert on cybersecurity assurance
A-Lign
Episode: Creating Universal Standards for AI Risk

Host

Reid Blackman
Host of Ethical Machines; AI ethics advisor to government and business; engages in rigorous discussions on normative AI, governance, and policy.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • I’m sorry

    I wrote the below review a couple weeks ago. I decided to give it anyone try last week and have now listened to half your catalog. The devils advocate / philosopher perspective annoys me occasionally but this podcast has helped me so much so I’m sorry and thank you.

    “I tired listening but the host was so flippant about companies collecting and using our data against us it turned me off. Why create a podcast about ethics if you don’t care about ethics? How do you not care that companies are cho... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tdemarr0
    United Statesa year ago
  • Insightful, relevant, and fun to listen to

    I’ve known Reid for over 20 years. He has a unique ability to ask penetrating questions that drive to the heart of complex issues while also being able to explain anything in simple, down to earth terms. Ethical Machines is a great resource for anyone interested in the multiple intersections of ethics and technology.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eric Corriel
    United States2 years ago
  • The best source for honest, rigorous insights about the ethics of AI

    Reid Blackman is a wellspring of rich insights and an extremely direct and honest communicator. This podcast is one of the few you should subscribe to in this foggy phase of our journey with AI.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrianEvergreen
    United States2 years ago
  • Substantive and legit!

    We see way too many buzz words and haphazard treatment of these topics generally. Reid goes deeper and with great frameworks. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J12J13
    United States2 years ago
  • Must-Listen for Tech Enthusiasts and Ethicists Alike

    Reid's podcast is a captivating exploration of the intersection between technology, ethics, and society. Reid, an expert in ethical risk consultancy and AI advisory, brings insightful discussions on pressing issues such as data privacy, AGI, healthcare equity, and online behavior's moral implications. Each episode features thought-provoking conversations with leading academics and industry professionals, making complex ethical dilemmas accessible and engaging. The podcast is a must-listen for an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NewPlayer001
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Clear, rigorous analysis of AI ethics with practical takeaways for governance and policy.
Engaging, thoughtful conversations that push beyond hype and buzzwords.
High-quality guests and hard questions; some listeners find the pace dense but rewarding.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#22
Colombia/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Creating Universal Standards for AI Risk
Q: How hard is it to get certified and how robust is the certification if organizations still have exposure after certification?
Certification is not perfect; it serves as a baseline, but organizations can game the system or still face incidents; truly effective certification requires genuine implementation, ongoing monitoring, and alignment with real-world outcomes.
Creating Universal Standards for AI Risk
Q: What should these standards look like for agentic AI, and what breaks down when moving from generative to agentic?
Existing standards were written before agents; you need a broader, non-life-cycle-specific risk framework and more explicit guardrails and governance for agents, plus clearer attribution of roles and responsibilities across diverse teams.
Creating Universal Standards for AI Risk
Q: Will it actually keep companies in check? Is it actually operationalizable or implementable? How do they evolve with the pace of AI?
Standards offer governance through core clauses and annex controls, but effectiveness depends on regular leadership commitment, internal audits, and ongoing improvements; they may need ongoing evolution to keep pace with AI advances.
Creating Universal Standards for AI Risk
Q: Can you, what can you tell me, and not to mention the audience, is it plausible to have these standards? What should these standards look like?
The standards should be consensus-driven and extensible, providing a baseline that can be translated into organization-specific controls, while remaining adaptable to evolving AI paradigms like agentic AI.
Don’t Believe the Hype About AI Job Displacement
Q: How should we think about the analogy between AI and VR/metaverse in terms of adoption and ROI?
VR failed to deliver universal ROI beyond niche use cases; the lesson for AI is to focus on concrete problems, measurable ROI, and real-world constraints rather than broad promises of productivity or replacement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ethical Machines

What is Ethical Machines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on AI ethics, governance, and how technology should interact with society. Episodes frequently challenge rule-based approaches to alignment, exploring normative competence, governance frameworks, and practical strategies for organizations to implement responsible AI. Guests range from academic philosophers to policy researchers and industry practitioners, offering rigorous frameworks, critical perspectives, and real-world case studies. A notable strength is the willingness to push beyond buzzwords, emphasizing institutional context, transparency, and how to design AI that fits evolving social orders. Listeners seeking thoughtful, consequential discussions about AI's impact on policy, work, and human flourishing are like... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ethical Machines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ethical Machines:

1. Hard Fork
2. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
3. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
4. Your Undivided Attention
5. Global News Podcast

How many episodes of Ethical Machines are there?

Ethical Machines launched 2 years ago and published 97 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ethical Machines?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Ethical Machines?

Recent guests on Ethical Machines include:

1. Jonathan Schaeffer
2. Mona Sloane
3. Emily Sullivan
4. Fabio Tollen
5. Gillian Hadfield
6. Antonio Zappulla
7. Kaite Fowler
8. Carissa Véliz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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