Rephonic
Artwork for Ethical Machines

Ethical Machines

Reid Blackman
Artificial Intelligence
AI Ethics
Philosophy
Fraud
EU AI Act
Deepfakes
Regulation
Generative AI
Data Science
Bias In AI
Governance
Large Language Models
Social Media
Surveillance
Employee Privacy
Environmental Impact
Consciousness
Disinformation
Chinese Room Argument
Climate Change

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.

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Artwork for Ethical Machines

Latest Episodes

Anthropic just got the axe from the U.S. government for refusing to allow the Department of Defense (War?) to use Claude for autonomous weapons systems and mass surveillance. For the first 15 minutes of this conversation with Michael Horowitz - profe... more

What does it look like for a non-technologist to lead Responsible AI practices at a Fortune 500 company? Today I talk with James Desir, Senior corporate counsel at Progressive Insurance and a key leader in their RAI efforts. We discuss how he found h... more

I tend to dismiss claims about existential risks from AI, but my guest thinks I - or rather we - need to take it very seriously. His name is Olle Häggström and he’s a professor of mathematical statistics at Chalmers University of Technology in, Swede... more

We hear that “writing is thinking.” We believe that teaching all students to be great writers is important. All hail the essay! But my guest, philosopher Luciano Floridi, professor and Founding Director of the Digital Ethics Center, sees things diffe... more

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Recent Guests

James Desir
Senior Corporate Counsel at Progressive Insurance, leader of their Responsible AI programs
Progressive Insurance
Episode: How an Attorney Leads Responsible AI Practices
Olle Häggström
Professor of mathematical statistics at Chalmers University of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology
Episode: We May Have Only 2-3 years Until AI Dominates Us
Luciano Floridi
John K. Castle Professor in the Practice of Cognitive Science and the Founding Director of the Digital Ethics Center
Yale University
Episode: Let AI Do the Writing
Jason Stanley
Head of AI research deployment and the director of applied AI research at ServiceNow
ServiceNow
Episode: What AI Risk Needs to Learn From Other Industries
Rocky Clancy
Research scientist in the Department of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech
Episode: AI is Culturally Ignorant
C.T. Nguyen
Philosophy professor at the University of Utah, author of 'The Score'
University of Utah
Episode: When Metrics Make Us Happy, or Miserable
Nuno Moni
Associate Research Professor at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
Episode: Rewriting History with AI
Finn Morehouse
Research fellow at Forethought, focusing on the implications of super-intelligent AI.
Forethought
Episode: AI is Not a Normal Technology
Brian Wong
Professor of philosophy at the University of Hong Kong
University of Hong Kong
Episode: We Are All Responsible for AI, Part 1

Host

Reid Blackman
Philosophy professor turned AI ethics advisor, Reid Blackman brings a thoughtful and rigorous approach to the exploration of the ethical dimensions of technology and AI implementation.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 73 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.

The host is often praised for his ability to ask challenging questions that provoke thoughtful insights from guests.
Some listeners feel frustrated with the philosophical debates occasionally overshadowing practical considerations.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth exploration of ethics in technology, highlighting the show's ability to simplify complex ideas into accessible discussions.
Many reviews mention the positive impact of the content in helping listeners navigate ethical dilemmas in technology.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#242
South Korea/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Should Anthropic Have Allowed Autonomous Weapons Systems?
Q: If autonomous weapon systems can be used under human supervision with proper accountability, could they be ethically preferable to certain conventional weapons?
Yes, the guest argues there are defensible scenarios where autonomy can align with humanitarian law and operational needs, provided a human remains responsible for the use of force and the system meets stringent safety benchmarks.
Should Anthropic Have Allowed Autonomous Weapons Systems?
Q: So Michael, is Anthropic's stance that their tools are not ready for autonomous weapon use mainly about safety, or is it also about strategic leverage and trust with the DoD?
The hosts and Michael suggest it's a mix: safety and readiness are core, but there's also a policy and trust dimension—without reliable testing and governance, collaboration with the DoD becomes risky for both sides.
We May Have Only 2-3 years Until AI Dominates Us
Q: So how do you personally get from uncertainty about the probability to the conclusion that we're doomed?
Olle emphasizes he isn't certain, but sees a significant probability of existential catastrophe without change.
We May Have Only 2-3 years Until AI Dominates Us
Q: Is what you want something like an international standard for it constitutes too high risk?
Absolutely, government intervention is necessary, especially given the current political climate.
We May Have Only 2-3 years Until AI Dominates Us
Q: Are you calling for the stop or the cessation of research into further developments of AI?
Olle believes there should not be a complete ban on AI research but regulation to prevent dangerous developments.

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 podcast engages deeply with the ethical implications of technology and artificial intelligence. Through thoughtful discussions with experts, it navigates complex topics such as AI accountability, the societal impacts of technological advancements, and the moral responsibilities associated with AI development. The host brings a philosophical perspective to pressing contemporary issues, encouraging listeners to reflect on the intersection of ethics and technology in a rapidly evolving landscape. Episodes often feature insights from a variety of fields, emphasizing the importance of informed and responsible engagement with AI systems.

Uniquely, the podcast goes beyond typical discussions of technology, aiming to cut through superficial n... more

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How many subscribers and views does Ethical Machines have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Ethical Machines has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Ethical Machines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ethical Machines:

1. The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis
2. Hard Fork
3. 99% Invisible
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Ethical Machines are there?

Ethical Machines launched 2 years ago and published 78 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Ethical Machines?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Ethical Machines from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Ethical Machines?

Recent guests on Ethical Machines include:

1. James Desir
2. Olle Häggström
3. Luciano Floridi
4. Jason Stanley
5. Rocky Clancy
6. C.T. Nguyen
7. Nuno Moni
8. Finn Morehouse

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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