
Your Undivided Attention
Join us every other Thursday to understand how new technologies are shaping the way we live, work, and think.
Your Undivided Attention is produced by Senior Producer Julia Scott and Researcher/Producer is Joshua Lash. Sasha Fegan is our Executive Producer. We are a member of the TED Audio Collective.
Latest episodes

92 snips
Aug 12, 2024 • 37min
This Moment in AI: How We Got Here and Where We’re Going
Sasha Fegan interviews tech ethicists Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, and Aza Raskin, a pioneer in user experience design. They explore the explosive growth of AI and its societal implications since their last discussion, emphasizing the urgent need for regulation. The conversation highlights recent advancements in social media reform, including the Kids Online Safety Act, and delves into the balance between AI innovation and safety protocols, calling for accountability and cooperative solutions for a secure technological future.

33 snips
Jul 18, 2024 • 33min
Decoding Our DNA: How AI Supercharges Medical Breakthroughs and Biological Threats with Kevin Esvelt
Biologist Kevin Esvelt discusses AI's impact on biological research, highlighting benefits in medicine and public health while addressing concerns of biosecurity threats. The conversation delves into the power of AI in predicting protein activities, designing disease prevention tools, and the urgent need for tighter regulations in genetic research to mitigate risks of creating dangerous viruses.

96 snips
Jul 4, 2024 • 48min
How to Think About AI Consciousness With Anil Seth
Dr. Anil Seth discusses AI consciousness, ethics, and incentives. They explore the difference between intelligence and consciousness, ethical concerns, and the impact on human language. The conversation delves into metaphors for the mind, ethical implications of AI consciousness, and lessons from 'Frankenstein'. They emphasize caution in AI development and the distinction between intelligence and consciousness.

79 snips
Jun 20, 2024 • 46min
Why Are Migrants Becoming AI Test Subjects? With Petra Molnar
Petra Molnar discusses how borders have become a testing ground for AI technologies impacting migrants. The podcast explores the use of advanced surveillance measures, the rise of the border industry complex, economic incentives for EU border enforcement, challenges with surveillance tech, and the need for long-term solutions for migrants.

108 snips
Jun 7, 2024 • 38min
Former OpenAI Engineer William Saunders on Silence, Safety, and the Right to Warn
Former OpenAI engineer William Saunders sheds light on the prioritization of profit over safety in tech companies. He discusses the 'right to warn' for employees raising AI risk concerns, emphasizing transparency and the need for regulatory protection. The episode explores the challenges of AI safety, confidential whistleblowing, and the impact of independent evaluation on tech product safety.

89 snips
May 23, 2024 • 59min
War is a Laboratory for AI with Paul Scharre
Expert in AI weapons and drones in warfare, Paul Scharre, discusses the future of autonomous warfare, ethical considerations, and the need for safeguards. Topics include advancements in autonomous weaponry, moral complexities in combat situations, ethical concerns in the use of autonomous weapons, and the importance of regulations and international agreements in AI warfare.

191 snips
May 9, 2024 • 47min
AI and Jobs: How to Make AI Work With Us, Not Against Us With Daron Acemoglu
Economist Daron Acemoglu discusses AI's potential impact on jobs, emphasizing the need for a human-centric approach. Topics include historical technology shifts, worker rights, and balancing AI innovation for mutual benefit. The conversation explores AI's effects on society, productivity, and the importance of regulating AI development for positive outcomes.

123 snips
Apr 11, 2024 • 1h 5min
Jonathan Haidt On How to Solve the Teen Mental Health Crisis
Guest Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, discusses the teen mental health crisis due to social media and smartphones. Topics include delaying smartphone use, parental role in tech, and advocating for phone-free schools to address the crisis.

108 snips
Mar 29, 2024 • 45min
Chips Are the Future of AI. They’re Also Incredibly Vulnerable. With Chris Miller
Chris Miller, an expert in AI hardware and security, discusses the race to secure AI hardware for supremacy. Topics include the evolution of chips, Nvidia's use of AI for chip design, and the geopolitical vulnerability of Taiwan in the chip industry.

134 snips
Feb 29, 2024 • 35min
Future-proofing Democracy In the Age of AI with Audrey Tang
Audrey Tang discusses using AI to strengthen democracy, pre-bunking deepfakes, Taiwan's innovative verification systems, AI for fact-checking, enhancing democracy through technology, empowering citizens in AI development.