Ethical Machines

The discussion delves into AI's capability to engage in ethical reasoning akin to human children. Researchers ponder the alignment problem, debating how AI can reflect human values. Complexities arise around teaching AI ethical inquiry, exploring metaethics and the nature of moral truths. The podcast critically examines ethical relativism, questioning the potential for universal standards in AI ethics. By navigating these philosophical challenges, it raises profound implications about AI's role in moral judgment and the future of our ethical constructs.

Dean Ball, an expert who argues against new AI regulations, challenges the current narrative that existing laws are insufficient. He emphasizes that current frameworks can manage AI risks like bias and privacy violations. Instead of broad regulations, he advocates for focused governance responses and targeted policies tailored to specific sectors, such as healthcare. The podcast dives into how existing laws can address ethical concerns effectively, urging a more nuanced approach to navigating the complexities of AI.

David Danks, a professor of data science and philosophy at UCSD, challenges the conventional wisdom about biased AI. He argues that in certain scenarios, biased algorithms can yield positive outcomes when managed effectively. The conversation explores the ethical complexities of AI bias, especially in areas like hiring and judicial decision-making. Danks emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to AI, suggesting that collaboration between data scientists and ethicists is crucial for developing fairer systems while maintaining human oversight.

Aram Sinnreich and Jesse Gilbert delve into the complexities of data privacy in 'The Secret Life of Data'. They discuss the blurred lines of data control, ethical implications of data collection, societal impacts, historical influences, and the necessity of regulating technology to protect individuals and democratic institutions.

With the ocean of social media content we need AI to identify and remove inappropriate material; humans just can’t keep up. But AI doesn’t assess content the same way we do. It’s not a deliberative body akin to the Supreme Court. But because we think of content moderation as a reflection of human evaluation, we then make unreasonable demands of social media companies and ask for regulations that won’t protect anyone. When we reframe what AI content moderation is and has to be, my guest argues, that leads us to make more reasonable and more effective demands of social media companies and government.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

AI + nuclear capacities sounds like a recipe for disaster. Some people think it could cause mass extinction. While it’s easy to let our imaginations run wild, insight into how the military actually incorporates AI into its weapons and operations is a much better idea. Heather gives us precisely those insights and (thus) the opportunity to think clearly about the threat.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

AI holds a lot of promise in making faster, more accurate diagnoses of our ailments. But if they are too influential, might they undermine our doctors’ ability to understand the rationale for the diagnose? And could it undermine the aspect of the doctor-patient relationship that is crucial for maintaining our patient autonomy?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Privacy is important. But I think we mostly misconceive the nature of privacy and data privacy. I argue we should rethink data privacy so that we can both focus better on how to protect people and so we can enable legitimately desirable innovations.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Technologist’s are racing to create AGI, artificial general intelligence. They also say we must align the AGI’s moral values with our own. But Professors Ariela Tubert and Justin Tiehen argue that’s impossible. Once you create an AGI, they say, you also give them the intellectual capacity needed for freedom, including the freedom to reject your given values.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Of course, decreasing racial disparities in healthcare is ethically imperative. But does it sometimes require too great a moral sacrifice? If it costs more lives than an non-equitable distribution of healthcare resources, should we really do it? Professors Guha Krishnamurthi and Eric Vogelstein argue that equity is not always a moral trump card.#aiAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy