In this spine-chilling Halloween special of the Behavioral Design Podcast, co-hosts Aline Holzwarth and Samuel Salzer take listeners on a journey into the eerie intersection of AI and behavioral science. They explore the potential ethical and social consequences of AI, from our urge to anthropomorphize machines to the creeping influence of human biases in AI engineering.

The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing their favorite Halloween costumes and family traditions before delving into the broader theme of Frankenstein as an apt metaphor for AI. They discuss the human inclination to attribute human qualities to non-human entities and the ethical implications of creating machines that mirror humanity. The conversation deepens with reflections on biases in AI development, risks of ‘playing God,’ and the tension between technological progress and human oversight.

In a thrilling twist, the hosts read a co-authored sci-fi story written with ChatGPT, illustrating the potential dark consequences of unchecked AI advancement. The episode wraps up with Halloween-themed wishes, encouraging listeners to ponder the boundaries between human and machine as they celebrate the holiday.

Timestamps:

03:38 – Frankenstein: Revisiting the original story

09:09 – Frankenstein’s Modern AI Metaphor: Parallels to today’s technology

18:06 – Reflections on AI and Anthropomorphism: The urge to humanize machines

36:31 – Exploring Human Biases in AI Development: How biases shape AI

42:06 – Trust in AI: Human vs. algorithmic decision-making

46:45 – The Personalization of AI Systems: Pros and cons of tailored experiences

49:10 – The Ethics of Playing God with AI: Examining the risks

55:56 – Concluding Thoughts and Halloween Wishes: Reflecting on AI’s duality

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The song used is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Murgatroyd by David Pizarro⁠