The Brave Technologist

Cherishing the World of Analog, and Advocating For Your Right to Privacy

Apr 3, 2024

Carissa Véliz, Associate Professor at the Institute for AI at the University of Oxford, discusses the erosion of privacy by tech giants, advocating for individual rights. She explores privacy in AI design, alternative data economies, and the role of analog experiences. The podcast delves into the intersection of technology and ethics, highlighting the importance of protecting privacy in the digital age.

25:53

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Episode guests

Carissa Véliz

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Quick takeaways

Protecting privacy is crucial for safeguarding democratic values and individual autonomy.

Transitioning towards privacy-first business models and reducing dependence on personal data are vital for ethical AI development.

Deep dives

Carissa Vales' Journey into Privacy Advocacy

Carissa Vales, an Associate Professor in Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford, shares her transition into privacy advocacy, driven by personal experiences and revelations like Snowden's mass surveillance disclosures. Despite initial skepticism, she pursued her PhD thesis on the ethics of privacy and surveillance.

Privacy is Essential for Protecting Against Abuses of Power

02:37

Introduction

4min

Tech Companies' Power and Privacy Concerns

7min

Exploring Market Opportunity for Privacy-centered Products and Alternative Data Economy Models

2min

Navigating Privacy in the Age of Technology

11min

Valuing Privacy Rights and Analog Experiences

2min

Carissa Véliz, Associate Professor at the Institute for AI at the University of Oxford, discusses how our personal data is the currency of power for tech giants, and ways the balance can be tipped back in favor of individual rights. We also address the privacy implications of large language models, and consider whether OpenAI and tools like ChatGPT are complying with the GDPR.

Key Takeaways:

How the erosion of privacy poses a real threat to our fundamental values of democracy
Why she advocates an end to the data economy, some alternative, and the companies leading the way in privacy-first business models
The analog world and its role in safeguarding our privacy, along with different ways to design AI that would require less of our personal data
The temptation to abuse power, and how we may navigate the intersection of technology, privacy, and ethics moving forward

Guest Bio:

Carissa Véliz is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI at the University of Oxford. She is the recipient of the 2021 Herbert A. Simon Award for Outstanding Research in Computing and Philosophy. She is the author of the highly-acclaimed Privacy Is Power (an Economist book of the year, 2020), and the editor of the Oxford Handbook of Digital Ethics. She is a member of UNESCO’s Women 4 Ethical AI, and she advises companies and policymakers around the world on privacy and the ethics of AI.

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About this Show:

The Brave Technologist is here to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of emerging tech. To make it digestible, less scary, and more approachable for all!

Join us as we embark on a mission to demystify artificial intelligence, challenge the status quo, and empower everyday people to embrace the digital revolution. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious mind, or an industry professional, this podcast invites you to join the conversation and explore the future of AI together.

The Brave Technologist Podcast is hosted by Luke Mulks, VP Business Operations at Brave Software—makers of the privacy-respecting Brave browser and Search engine, and now powering AI everywhere with the Brave Search API.

Music by: Ari Dvorin

Produced by: Sam Laliberte