In this episode, John and Sven answer questions from podcast listeners. Topics covered include: the relationships between animal ethics and AI ethics; religion and philosophy of tech; the analytic-continental divide; the debate about short vs long-term risks; getting engineers to take ethics seriously and much much more. Thanks to everyone that submitted a question. You can download the episode here or listen below. You can also subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon and a range of other podcasting services.

What does the future hold for humanity’s relationship with technology? Will we become ever more integrated with and dependent on technology? What are the normative and axiological consequences of this? In this episode, Sven and John discuss these questions and reflect, more generally, on technology, ethics and the value of speculation about the future. You can download the episode here or listen below. You can also subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon and a range of other podcasting services. Recommended Reading Mark Coeckelbergh The Political Philosophy of AI David Chalmers Reality+

In this episode, Sven and John talk about relationships with machines. Can you collaborate with a machine? Can robots be friends, colleagues or, perhaps, even lovers? These are common tropes in science fiction and popular culture, but is there any credibility to them? What would the ethical status of such relationships be? Should they be welcomed or avoided? These are just some of the questions addressed in this episode. You can download the episode here or listen below. You can also subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon and a range of other podcasting services. Recommended Reading Evans, Robbins and Bryson – ‘Do we collaborate with what we design?’ Helen Ryland – ‘It’s Friendship Jim But Not as We Know It: A Degrees-of-Friendship View of Human–Robot Friendships‘

In this episode Sven and John discuss the moral status of machines, particularly humanoid robots. Could machines ever be more than mere things? Some people see this debate as a distraction from the important ethical questions pertaining to technology; others take it more seriously. Sven and John share their thoughts on this topic and give some guidance as to how to think about the nature of moral status and its significance. You can download the episode here or listen below. You can also subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon and a range of other podcasting services. Recommended Reading David Gunkel, Person, Thing, Robot Butlin, Long et al ‘Consciousness in AI: Insights from the Science of Consciousness‘ Summary of the above paper from Daily Nous.

Sven and John dive into the intriguing controversy of moral agency in machines. They question if machines can be considered moral agents and explore the spectrum from simple decision-making to complex moral reasoning. The conversation also tackles the ethics of instilling emotions in AI and the implications of automating decision-making, especially in skilled professions. Philosophical debates unfold around whether machines can truly possess moral understanding, emphasizing the need for human oversight in ethical dilemmas.

Dive into the intriguing world of responsibility gaps in technology. The discussion delves into the ethical dilemmas posed by autonomous machines and self-driving cars. What happens when machines make decisions? Explore the shifting dynamics of accountability and the controversial concept of 'agency laundering.' Discover the philosophical nuances surrounding human-machine interactions and how emerging technologies challenge traditional notions of responsibility. Prepare to question the future of human agency in an increasingly automated landscape.

Brett Frischmann, a renowned scholar at the intersection of technology and behavior change, joins Evan Selinger, an expert on technology's societal impacts. They discuss how technology influences both individual behavior and societal norms, questioning whether we control technology or vice versa. The conversation covers the ethical dimensions of self-help and behavior modification, examining tools designed to foster habit change, while also raising concerns about autonomy and privacy. Their insights weave through philosophy's role in understanding behavior in the digital age.

Stanislov Petrov, famed for averting nuclear disaster during a false alarm in 1983, shares insights on decision-making and ethics in technology. He discusses the critical importance of value alignment in AI, emphasizing how individual judgment can influence global outcomes. The conversation delves into historical moments of misaligned technology, ethical infrastructure design, and the challenges of categorizing AI behavior. The discussion highlights the need for ethical frameworks to ensure technology positively impacts society while managing inherent risks.

In this episode, John and Sven discuss the methods of technology ethics. What exactly is it that technology ethicists do? How can they answer the core questions about the value of technology and our moral response to it? Should they consult their intuitions? Run experiments? Use formal theories? The possible answers to these questions are considered with a specific case study on the ethics of self-driving cars. You can listen below or download the episode here. You can also subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon and a range of other podcasting services. Recommendations for further reading Peter Königs ‘Of Trolleys and Self-Driving Cars:What machine ethicists can and cannot learn from trolleyology‘ John Harris ‘The Immoral Machine‘ Edmond Awad et al ‘The Moral Machine Experiment‘ Discount You can purchase a 20% discounted copy of This is Technology Ethics by using the code TEC20 at the publisher’s website.

Two experts introduce the podcast focusing on technology and ethics. They recommend further readings and explore topics like technology as tools, symbolic artifacts, and the influence of technology on perception and action. They also discuss mediation theory, expanding ethics perspective, and provide recommendations for additional texts on technology ethics.