Podcasts about Aza Raskin

We often think of the challenges created by technology as separate and disconnected, so trying to solve them feels like playing the world's hardest game of Whac-A-Mole.  What if, instead, we tackled them at the root by identifying the patterns in design, development, and deployment that are causing these issues? Once we understand what's driving inhumane tech, we can develop a set of principles for building humane tech.  In this week's episode of Your Undivided Attention, Aza Raskin sits down with fellow CHT co-founder Randy Fernando to walk through CHT's Seven Principles of Humane Technology. For each principle, they draw on real-world examples from the podcast and beyond to clearly illustrate how these principles (and their absence) show up in the world.  There's so much more here than can go into a single podcast. If you want to go deeper, visit humanetech.com/course and sign up to learn more. Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on X: @HumaneTech_ and subscribe to our Substack.RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES What Happened in Vegas with Natasha Dow Schüll Down the Rabbit Hole by Design. Guest: Guillaume ChaslotForever Chemicals, Forever Consequences: What PFAS Teaches Us About AI The Power of Solutions Journalism with Tina Rosenberg and Hélène Biandudi Hofer The Invisible Cyber-War with Nicole PerlrothAnthropic's Mythos Has Changed Cybersecurity Forever. What Now?How OpenAI's ChatGPT Guided a Teen to His DeathAttachment Hacking and the Rise of AI PsychosisDigital Democracy is Within Reach with Audrey Tang The Tech We Need for 21st Century Democracy with Divya SiddarthMind the (Perception) Gap with Dan Vallone CORRECTIONS Aza incorrectly named Tina Rosenberg as one of the founders of Solutions Journalism. Her organization's name is the Solutions Journalism Network.  Aza stated that “chatbots are better than any human at persuading people out of conspiracy theories.” This is in reference to a study that found AIs to be very slightly more persuasive than human experts; we can't extrapolate from that that they are better than any human. The point stands that they are remarkably good persuasion machines. Aza referred to EO Wilson as the “father of evolutionary biology,” but the field he is largely credited with founding is sociobiology.  Aza cited Spain and Denmark as examples of countries that have banned social media for teens. However, these countries have only proposed such bans; they have not been enacted.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Big Tech is moving fast on AI. But who's watching out for the rest of us? Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, has spent years sounding the alarm about where the race to build powerful AI is actually taking us. He joins Rapid Response to expose the incentive structures quietly pushing Silicon Valley toward dangerous territory, and to make the case that it's not too late to change course. Raskin also unpacks the significance of Pope Leo XIV's sweeping new encyclical on AI, what China's AI priorities reveal about the global race, and why the hidden assumptions baked into AI systems may be the most underestimated risk of all.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big Tech is moving fast on AI. But who's watching out for the rest of us? Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, has spent years sounding the alarm about where the race to build powerful AI is actually taking us. He joins Rapid Response to expose the incentive structures quietly pushing Silicon Valley toward dangerous territory, and to make the case that it's not too late to change course. Raskin also unpacks the significance of Pope Leo XIV's sweeping new encyclical on AI, what China's AI priorities reveal about the global race, and why the hidden assumptions baked into AI systems may be the most underestimated risk of all.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The people running technology companies love to make wild predictions about the future. They've told us that artificial intelligence will cure cancer, eliminate drudgery and solve climate change. But those utopian visions have yet to materialize. Where are the revolutionary moonshots we've been promised? Aza Raskin may well have one. Raskin is the president of the Center for Humane Technology and the co-founder of the Earth Species Project, a non-profit using machine learning to decode animal communication. Raskin and his colleagues are envisioning a world where birds can vote and dolphins get to represent themselves in court. That might sound hard to believe – but Raskin says they're not far from making it a reality. So I wanted to ask him: what happens to our world – and to us – when animals have the right to speak? Recordings courtesy of Dr. Vittorio Baglione and Dr. Daniela Canestrari (University of León), Logan James and McGill University, and the Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Machines Like Us will return on June 9th.  Mentioned My Octopus Teacher (2020), directed by Pippa Ehrlich & James Reed Unlocking Avian Secrets: How Tiny Biologgers Are Revealing the Hidden Communication of Carrion Crows, by Earth Species Project AI-powered playbacks engage in flexible vocal interactions with zebra finches, by Logan S. James et al. Decoding Killer Whale Communication From Above and Below, by Earth Species Project Innovative Behaviours and Synchronization in Bottlenose Dolphins, by Stacy Braslau-Schneck What the World Thinks About AI and Animal Communication: Findings from Our First Global Survey, by Earth Species Project Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recorded live at SAND Community Gathering (April 2026). Watch the full conversion on the SAND Website. SAND has launched a special series on Artificial Intelligence. To premiere this series, we spoke with tech ethicist Tristan Harris—co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology. In this conversation, we explored his warnings about the impending age of AI. According to Harris, the current trajectory isn't just menacing the economy, but fundamentally rewiring human relationships, altering parenting and mental health, potentially accelerating climate collapse, and even threatening the very fabric of society. We inquired into ways to remain human in an era where machines can simulate empathy, displace our labor, and potentially outmaneuver us. Topics 00:00 Welcome and Context 00:42 Why This AI Talk 01:32 Introducing Tristan Harris 03:15 Setting the Basics 04:10 From Narrow to New AI 06:18 Rubber Band Reality Check 08:31 Transformers and Scaling 11:00 Infinity Upside and Risk 14:49 Defining AGI and ASI 18:18 Jagged Capabilities and Hype 21:33 Singularity and Anti Human Drift 23:26 Incentives Behind the Future 27:29 The Intelligence Curse 32:22 Devaluing Humans and Consensus 37:56 Planetary Costs of Data Centers 39:41 Why We Keep Building It 42:46 Extinction Risk and Safety Math 45:20 AI in War and Arms Race 47:36 Leaders Unaware of Runaway Signs 48:26 Leaders Fear AI Power 49:02 Nuclear War Game Theory 49:41 Infinite Games Mindset 51:11 AI as Extractive Empire 52:27 From Shadow to Action 53:55 Building the Human Movement 57:25 Four-Step Action Plan 59:44 Grassroots Wins and Bans 01:02:18 Nonprofit Progress and Lawsuits 01:07:51 Talking to Teens Effectively 01:10:05 Governance and Citizen Assemblies 01:12:19 Spiritual Hopes vs Incentives 01:15:12 Accelerationism and Choice 01:18:22 Policy Maker Ten Minute Brief 01:21:26 Countering Transhumanist Ideology 01:23:45 Changing Culture and Incentives 01:27:12 Final Reflections and Gratitude Resources Websites & Organizations Center for Humane Technology (Tristan Harris's website) The Human Movement AI Dialogue Prohuman AI Statement / Declaration Roadmap to How We Ensure AI is Serving Humanity Indigenous Perspectives on AI Course Metarelational AI Tech Workers Coalition Panel on AI + Embodiment Luma Invite Purge Palantir Action Links Purge Palantir Campaign Pledge Articles & Documents Alibaba Security Paper The Intelligence Curse by Luke Drago and Rudolf Laine The Shape of AI Jaggedness Harvard Gazette: Why are Communities pushing back on data centers The Palantir Payroll PDF New York Times Opinion: Yuval Harari AI ChatGPT Archive Article on Billionaires' Brains New York Times Opinion: Anthropic's Restraint Is a Terrifying Warning Sign Videos & Films The Social Dilemma The AI Doc / How I Became an Apocalyptimist - Official Trailer Ghost in the Machine The Day After War Games Bernie vs. Claude (YouTube) Joanna Macy and the Great Turning How To Make AI Good For Humanity by Siliconversations (YouTube) Books & Textbooks Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach by Peter Norvig and Stuart J. Russell (PDF) States of Denial by Stanley Cohen (PDF) Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse (PDF) Hospicing Modernity by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira Outgrowing Modernity by Vanessa Machado de Oliveira The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt IntraConnected: MWe (Me + We) as the Integration of Self, Identity, and Belonging by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. Empire of AI By Karen Hao More Everything Forever by Adam Becker Why Do We Tell Ourselves Scary Stories About AI? by Amanda Gefter Podcasts & Audio Your Undivided Attention - Tristan Harris, Aza Raskin, and Daniel Barcay The Emerald - Joshua Michael Schrei The Great Simplification - Nate Hagens Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

Artificial intelligence is starting to change how some journalists work, as newsrooms test whether it can help produce more content. One reporter says AI is now helping him write more than 600 articles a year. Nick Lichtenberg, Business Editor at Fortune, Jane Martinson, Professor of Financial Journalism, City, University of London, and Max Goldbart, International TV Co-Editor, Deadline, discuss the pros and cons of letting AI into the newsroom. Two major court cases in the United States have put fresh attention on social media and its impact on young users. In Los Angeles, a jury found Meta and Google liable after deciding their platforms were intentionally designed to be addictive. In New Mexico, Meta was ordered to pay damages over claims it misled users about child safety. Lily Jamali, BBC North America Technology Correspondent, outlines developments from Silicon Valley, and Aza Raskin, co-founder of the Centre for Humane Technology, reflects on the design of features such as infinite scroll. In the UK, new research is being developed to understand how social media affects teenagers. A large study involving thousands of students will test limits on usage, alongside a government-backed pilot looking at restrictions for under-16s. Professor Amy Orben, psychologist at the University of Cambridge, explains how the research will work and what it aims to measure.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Content producer: Lucy Wai Sound engineer: Mark Pickett

Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins discuss some of the week's biggest media stories:Jane Martinson of the Guardian and Max Goldbart of Deadline on Scott Mills' departure from the BBC and Tim Davie's legacy as Director General of the corporation.As newsrooms around the world continue to debate the use of artificial intelligence in reporting, we hear from Fortune Business Editor Nick Lichtenberg who outlines his method for producing AI-assisted articles.After two recent United States rulings which found Meta and YouTube liable for developing addictive platform features, we talk to the BBC North America Technology Correspondent Lily Jamali about the legal arguments and potential consequences for design and regulation. Interface designer Aza Raskin from the Centre for Humane Technology explains the tools used by platforms to keep people scrolling, and we hear about a major new UK scientific trial to assess the impact of reduced social media use among teenagers from Professor Amy Orben of the University of Cambridge.Producer: Lisa Jenkinson

In two landmark cases, juries in California and New Mexico found Meta and Google liable for creating addictive, harmful products and failing to protect children from exploitation and abuse. These verdicts signal that the era of tech impunity may finally be closing. State attorneys general are finding ways around the broad immunity of Section 230 — seeking not just fines, but changes to the design of these products. Our very own Aza Raskin testified at the New Mexico trial as a fact witness, drawing on his firsthand experience as the inventor of infinite scroll, one of the core mechanics of addictive design. In this episode, Tristan and Aza discuss what it was like to take the stand for tech justice, what the companies knew and when, and why the real significance of these cases lies not in the dollar amounts but in the injunctive relief still to come. In the 1990s, a series of landmark cases held Big Tobacco accountable for the harms of their toxic products. This could be that moment for social media. RECOMMENDED MEDIA Further reading on the New Mexico trial Further reading on the California trial Arturo Béjar's “Broken Promises” Report   RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES What if we had fixed social media? Jonathan Haidt On How to Solve the Teen Mental Health Crisis Social Media Victims Lawyer Up with Laura Marquez-Garrett Real Social Media Solutions, Now with Frances Haugen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The conversation around artificial intelligence has been captured by two competing narratives – techno-abundance or civilizational collapse – both of which sidestep the question of who this technology is actually being built for. But if we consider that we are setting the initial conditions for everything that follows, we might realize that we are in a pivotal moment for AI development which demands a deeper cultural conversation about the type of future we actually want. What would it look like to design AI for the benefit of the 99%, and what are the necessary steps to make that possible? In this episode, Nate welcomes back Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, for a wide-ranging conversation on AI futures and safety. Tristan explains how his organization pivoted from social media to AI risks after insiders at AI labs warned him in early 2023 that a dangerous step-change in capabilities was coming – and with it, risks that are orders of magnitude larger. Tristan outlines the economic and psychological consequences already unfolding under AI's race-to-the-bottom engagement incentives, as well as the major threat categories we face: including massive wealth concentration, government surveillance, and the very real risk that humanity loses meaningful control of AI systems in critical domains. He also shares about his involvement in the new documentary, The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, and ultimately highlights the highest-leverage areas in the movement toward safer AI development. If we start seeing AI risks clearly without surrendering to despair, could we regain the power to steer toward safer technological futures? What would it mean to design AI around human wellbeing rather than engagement, attention, and profit? And can we cultivate the kind of shared cultural reckoning that makes collective action possible – before it's too late? (Conversation recorded on March 5th, 2025)    About Tristan Harris: Tristan is the Co-Founder of the Center for Humane Technology (CHT), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to align technology with humanity's best interests. He is also the co-host of the top-rated technology podcast Your Undivided Attention, where he, Aza Raskin, and Daniel Barclay explore the unprecedented power of emerging technologies and how they fit into both our lives and a humane future. Previously, Tristan was a Design Ethicist at Google, and today he studies how major technology platforms wield dangerous power over our ability to make sense of the world and leads the call for systemic change. In 2020, Tristan was featured in the two-time Emmy-winning Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. The film unveiled how social media is dangerously reprogramming our brains and human civilization. It reached over 100 million people in 190 countries across 30 languages. He regularly briefs heads of state, technology CEOs, and US Congress members, in addition to mobilizing millions of people around the world through mainstream media.  Most recently, Tristan was featured in the 2026 documentary, The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, which is available in theaters on March 27th. Learn more about Tristan's work and get involved at the Center for Humane Technology.   Show Notes and More   Watch this video episode on YouTube   Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie.   ---   Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future   Join our Substack newsletter   Join our Hylo channel and connect with other listeners  

Hearing a bird sing, a dog bark, an orca squeal has led so many of us to wonder if might be possible to talk to animals. Aza Raskin wants to listen to them. He's the co-founder and CEO of the Earth Species Project, which uses artificial intelligence to decode the sounds and signals of other species. The aim isn't just translation; it's understanding. Early breakthroughs from studying highly intelligent crows to other vocal animals suggest we're beginning to hear patterns that were once invisible to us. Raskin believes that learning to truly listen to animals could transform how we see and treat each other and the rest of life on Earth.

Hearing a bird sing, a dog bark, an orca squeal has led so many of us to wonder if might be possible to talk to animals. Aza Raskin wants to listen to them. He's the co-founder and CEO of the Earth Species Project, which uses artificial intelligence to decode the sounds and signals of other species. The aim isn't just translation; it's understanding. Early breakthroughs from studying highly intelligent crows to other vocal animals suggest we're beginning to hear patterns that were once invisible to us. Raskin believes that learning to truly listen to animals could transform how we see and treat each other and the rest of life on Earth.

This week on Your Undivided Attention, we're bringing you Aza Raskin's conversation with Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger on their podcast “Possible”. Reid and Aria are both tech entrepreneurs: Reid is the founder of LinkedIn, was one of the major early investors in OpenAI, and is known for his work creating the playbook for blitzscaling. Aria is the former CEO of DoSomething.org. This may seem like a surprising conversation to have on YUA. After all, we've been critical of the kind of “move fast” mentality that Reid has championed in the past. But Reid and Aria are deeply philosophical about the direction of tech and are both dedicated to bringing about a more humane world that goes well. So we thought that this was a critical conversation to bring to you, to give you a perspective from the business side of the tech landscape. In this episode, Reid, Aria, and Aza debate the merits of an AI pause, discuss how software optimization controls our lives, and why everyone is concerned with aligned artificial intelligence — when what we really need is aligned collective intelligence.  This is the kind of conversation that needs to happen more in tech. Reed has built very powerful systems and understands their power. Now he's focusing on the much harder problem of learning how to steer these technologies towards better outcomes.RECOMMENDED MEDIAAza's first appearance on “Possible”The website for Earth Species Project“Amusing Ourselves to Death” by Neil PostmanThe Moloch's Bargain paper from StanfordRECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESThe Man Who Predicted the Downfall of ThinkingAmerica and China Are Racing to Different AI FuturesTalking With Animals... Using AIHow OpenAI's ChatGPT Guided a Teen to His Death Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Le bouton « J'aime » et le défilement infini sont au cœur du modèle d'affaires des réseaux sociaux. Au grand dam de Leah Pearlman et Aza Raskin, qui les ont conçues, ces deux innovations ont largement contribué au phénomène de cyberdépendance. Le journaliste Tobie Lebel est allé à leur rencontre et explique comment ces outils ont modifié notre rapport aux écrans.

Software is eating the world, but will it start eating us? On this episode of Possible, Aria Finger and Reid Hoffman sit down for an encore conversation with Aza Raskin that dives deep into how AI and engagement-driven tech are reshaping our lives, our democracies, and our sense of truth. From unpacking the present challenge around social media feeds to AI systems competing for our time, intimacy, and attention, no technology topic is out of bounds. Along the way, they also debate AI pause letters, why incentives always eat intentions, and how to design new institutional frameworks for a future where AI truly elevates human agency, compassion, and wisdom. If everything breaks humanity's way, what becomes possible? Tune in to find out. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

We really enjoyed hearing all of your questions for our annual Ask Us Anything episode. There was one question that kept coming up: what might a different world look like? The broken incentives behind social media, and now AI, have done so much damage to our society, but what is the alternative? How can we blaze a different path?In this episode, Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin set out to answer those questions by imagining what a world with humane technology might look like—one where we recognized the harms of social media early and embarked on a whole of society effort to fix them.This alternative history serves to show that there are narrow pathways to a better future, if we have the imagination and the courage to make them a reality.Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on X: @HumaneTech_. You can find a full transcript, key takeaways, and much more on our Substack.RECOMMENDED MEDIADopamine Nation by Anna LembkeThe Anxious Generation by Jon HaidtMore information on Donella MeadowsFurther reading on the Kids Online Safety ActFurther reading on the lawsuit filed by state AGs against MetaRECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESFuture-proofing Democracy In the Age of AI with Audrey TangJonathan Haidt On How to Solve the Teen Mental Health CrisisAI Is Moving Fast. We Need Laws that Will Too. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will artificial intelligence robots have subjective experience? What are the ethical and safety implications of such entities? Which quantum physics theory can accommodate consciousness?In this episode we have the extraordinary possibility of subjective experience and feelings in artificial intelligence robotic systems to think about. So we look at experiments to try and prove if it's even possible; the quantum building blocks from which both living and artificial systems are made up; the ethical and safety implications of advanced intelligence instantiated in robots, and we get into the controversial search for a quantum physics theory that can accommodate consciousness.Fortunately, my guest today is not only one of the first pioneering scientists to really devote themselves to the creation of sentient human-similar robot minds and bodies, but is also an experimental physicist working with quantum computing systems. She is of course the quantum engineer, consciousness researcher and AI computer scientist Suzanne Gildert. She has written over 80 scientific papers, founded several successful AI companies and has dozens of US patents for her inventions. What we discuss:00:00 Intro.04:25 Her move to AI & robotics from quantum computing.06:45 Something missing from materialism.11:00 The what, how and why of consciousness.12:20 Remembering quantum fields are the base level of reality.15:50 Quantum Biology - John Joe McFadden.18:20 ‘Protecting' quantum coherence environments.20:00 The Penrose-Hameroff microtubules quantum consciousness theory.24:40 The risks of the “two mysteries” argument.30:10 Looking for subjective experience in AI robots.33:55 “Reward function”, purpose led, agential behaviour doesn't emerge naturally in AI.36:25 Limitations to building sentient AI robots.39:25 Iain McGilchrist's left-right hemisphere interpretation of split brain data.41:40 How similar are AI minds to human ones?43:40 Will Ai become conscious one day?44:40 The generalisation problem.47:50 The anthropomorphism problem.50:05 Ethical implications - Regulations, rights and protections.53:20 Survival instinct research in AI.57:20 Brain activity mapping to subjective experience, AI decoder research.50:20 Biological robots: Different emergent possibilities?01:01:50 Cellular material re-purposing itself spontaneously.01:04:10 Could the biosphere be a technology?01:07:40 Quantum Conscious Agency Theory.01:14:05 Quantum Annealing. 01:21:03 Can you test for panpsychism?01:25:10 Buddhism: the dissociated agent approach.References:www.SuzanneGildert.comQuantum Conscious Agent theory presentation - Suzanne Gildert.Jeff Hawkins, Sandra Blakeslee, “On Intelligence“.John Joe Mcfadden, CC Quantum Biology episodeRoger Penrose, Orch OR (Orchestrated objective reduction) theory.Erwin Shrodinger, “What is Life?”.‘In Tests, Open AI's New Model Lied and Schemed to Avoid Being Shut Down' article‘Brain activity decoder can reveal stories in people's minds' articleJerry Tang et al. ‘Semantic reconstruction of continuous language from non-invasive brain recordings' paperTristan Harris & Aza Raskin, “The AI Dilemma” presentation, March 2023

Can AI help us better understand animals and, if it could, what might we discover? This week's episode was recorded live at the 2025 Masters of Scale Summit where Reid and Aria sat down with Aza Raskin, co-founder and CEO of the Earth Species Project. Aza and his team are using AI to decode the languages and cultures of non-human species. From dolphins that invent new tricks together to crows that raise each other's young in communal “villages,” Aza reveals the startling complexity of animal communication and what it teaches us about our own. During the course of their conversation, Reid, Aria and Aza explore why recognizing the intelligence of the animal kingdom might spark a new Copernican Revolution, one that changes not just science, but who we believe ourselves as a species to be. It's a thought provoking journey through language, empathy, and the limits of human perspective that will make you listen to the natural world a little differently. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/ Topics: 00:00 – Live introduction from the Masters of Scale Summit 00:58 – Aza Raskin explains the Earth Species Project and its mission 03:03 – How AI can decode animal language and culture 05:18 – Crows, whales, and dolphins—evidence of communication and community 07:32 – What we've missed by only “hearing the shouts” of other species 08:30 – Dolphins learning to innovate together and what it reveals about intelligence 09:57 – Elephants' overlapping calls and the idea of “communal grammar” 12:33 – From speaking to listening: the ethics of interspecies understanding 14:23 – Names, self-awareness, and identity across dolphins, elephants, and belugas 16:05 – Animal rituals, drum languages, and AI's early attempts at conversation 18:10 – Animal Language Processing as science's next frontier 20:38 – The moral shift: what animals teach us about empathy, AI, and responsibility Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.

What is the Earth Species Project?Can we talk to animals, or at least understand what they are saying to each other?  That's a question that researchers hope to answer with the help of AI. Earth Species Project, a non-profit that develops sophisticated AI technologies, hopes its software can help. Specifically, they have developed Nature-LM audio which is an audio-language machine learning algorithm with the potential to decipher animal communications.How does it work?By gathering and evaluating huge amounts of audio information from different species, Nature-LM audio can identify  “individuals in recordings”, and evaluate patterns.  For software users, it does not require the user to have any programming skills. Specifically “analyzing animal sounds… [allows for] decoding complex communication and behaviors to monitor the health of entire ecosystems.”This AI model was trained on “bioacoustic archives like Xeno-canto, iNaturalist, the Watkins Marine Mammal Sound Database, and the Animal Sound Archive” along with “general audio, human speech, and music data” while connecting this ”audio encoder to a leading language model.”Benefits of this approachNatureLM “can classify or detect thousands of species across diverse taxa including birds, whales, and aurans–without the need to retrain the model for each task.”. It has other capabilities like “predicting life-stage and simple call-types of birds, and captioning bioacoustic audio” which are useful when trying to analyze the behavior of different species and their associated cues. The software enables evaluation of large amounts of animal sounds and allows evaluation of that data “freely via human language text”.According to a benchmark that they established, called the Beans-zero, which “provides a standardized way to measure… performance across various bioacoustic tasks, enabling consistent comparisons and fostering progress in the field”, NatureLM-audio “achieves state-of-the-art performance on most tasks”. This is especially true in regards to bird and marine mammal sounds, which they are able to identify without fine-tuning–an extremely gruesome task in machine learning to change pre-existing models which better fit your data and train it for specific tasks.Potential DrawbacksLike all AI models, Nature LM-audio could impact employment opportunities, in this case for  animal biologists and researchers, and by using substantial amounts of energy to run the model.  And, like all AI programs, any conclusions and decisions made through the program need to be carefully evaluated.  It will take time and effort to determine how valuable the model is.   ConclusionRaskin believes that the creation of NatureLM has many positive implications because it allows humans to listen to the voices of animals. It gives us an understanding of their behavior to not only learn more about them, but also by giving insights on how to help them with conservation efforts. Moreover, it can alert researchers to what exactly is endangering certain species, prevent these efforts, and create a lot of more data necessary to analyze trends. About our guestAza Raskin is a trained mathematician and a dark matter physicist and  Co-Founder/President of the Earth Species Project.ResourcesEarth Species Project, Introducing NatureLM-audio: An Audio-Language Foundation Model for BioacousticsGrantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, What opportunities and risks does AI present for climate action? Forbes, The 15 Biggest Risks Of Artificial IntelligenceFurther ReadingEarth Species Project, About UsUniversity of Cincinnati, 9 Benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2025For a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/earth-species-with-aza-raskin

Techish is taking a short summer break, but we'll be back in September! In the meantime, we've got a fantastic episode to share from our friends over at the IRL Podcast. You might remember we had IRL host Bridget Todd on Techish recently for our Falling in Love With Your AI episode. So trust us, you're gonna love this one.———————————————————— Decoding the Planet: From Whales to Whistleblowers From season eight of the IRL podcast: AI and Us.AI may be able to talk to animals, but at what cost to the planet. Who is making those decisions, and why it matters. From decoding whale language to protecting our oceans from unchecked offshore drilling, Bridget Todd talks to visionaries seeking to preserve our beautiful, fragile world. Holly Alpine left her job with Microsoft over the company's role in providing fossil fuel companies with AI tools that could accelerate their production of oil and gas. As the AI and climate lead at Hugging Face, a platform for sharing open-source AI models, Sasha Luccioni calls for more transparency from tech companies about how much energy it takes to power AI. Aza Raskin, co-founder and president of the Earth Species Project, explains why using AI to decode animal communication could be the key to protecting our planet.IRL is an original podcast from Mozilla, the non-profit behind Firefox.A Case Study In Corporate Fear"A Case Study in Corporate Fear" deconstructs how fear transforms successful...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show————————————————————Join our Patreon for extra-long episodes and ad-free content: https://www.patreon.com/techish Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@techishpod/Advertise on Techish: https://goo.gl/forms/MY0F79gkRG6Jp8dJ2———————————————————— Stay in touch with the hashtag #Techishhttps://www.instagram.com/techishpod/https://www.instagram.com/abadesi/https://www.instagram.com/michaelberhane_/ https://www.instagram.com/hustlecrewlive/https://www.instagram.com/pocintech/Email us at techishpod@gmail.com

What does it really mean to ‘feel the AGI?' Silicon Valley is racing toward AI systems that could soon match or surpass human intelligence. The implications for jobs, democracy, and our way of life are enormous.In this episode, Aza Raskin and Randy Fernando dive deep into what ‘feeling the AGI' really means. They unpack why the surface-level debates about definitions of intelligence and capability timelines distract us from urgently needed conversations around governance, accountability, and societal readiness. Whether it's climate change, social polarization and loneliness, or toxic forever chemicals, humanity keeps creating outcomes that nobody wants because we haven't yet built the tools or incentives needed to steer powerful technologies.As the AGI wave draws closer, it's critical we upgrade our governance and shift our incentives now, before it crashes on shore. Are we capable of aligning powerful AI systems with human values? Can we overcome geopolitical competition and corporate incentives that prioritize speed over safety?Join Aza and Randy as they explore the urgent questions and choices facing humanity in the age of AGI, and discuss what we must do today to secure a future we actually want.Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on X: @HumaneTech_ and subscribe to our Substack.RECOMMENDED MEDIADaniel Kokotajlo et al's “AI 2027” paperA demo of Omni Human One, referenced by RandyA paper from Redwood Research and Anthropic that found an AI was willing to lie to preserve it's valuesA paper from Palisades Research that found an AI would cheat in order to winThe treaty that banned blinding laser weaponsFurther reading on the moratorium on germline editing RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESThe Self-Preserving Machine: Why AI Learns to DeceiveBehind the DeepSeek Hype, AI is Learning to ReasonThe Tech-God Complex: Why We Need to be SkepticsThis Moment in AI: How We Got Here and Where We're GoingHow to Think About AI Consciousness with Anil SethFormer OpenAI Engineer William Saunders on Silence, Safety, and the Right to WarnClarification: When Randy referenced a “$110 trillion game” as the target for AI companies, he was referring to the entire global economy. 

Send us a textThe YOU GOOD? episodes are unlike the THT interviews you might be familiar with. They are conscious conversations with the purpose of educating and helping.This week, Sean Mussett (aka Gravel Burns) and I discuss and outline 7 ways to check-in on someone who is going through a rough patch, suffering from poor mental health, or even suicidal. Don't know how to talk to your mates? Here's some ideas.ShanCall 13 11 14 (Australia) for crisis support or suicide prevention Lifeline Website. Click HERE.International Suicide Hotlines (most countries). Click HERE for the list.Red Cross Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course. Click HERE.References (During episode)When we were talking about the benefits of human touch: Field, T. (2010). Touch for socioemotional and physical well-being: A review. Developmental Review, 30(4), 367-383. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2011.01.001When we were talking about the psychology of "doom scrolling":B.F. Skinner's behavioral psychology (referenced by by designer Aza Raskin when creating the "infinite scroll" function).Get discounts and support the show (Click on the links):KRUSH ORGANICS - CBD oils and topicalsOr use Code: THT(Get a HUGE 40% Discount...shipping is WORLDWIDE and fast).Reduce anxiety and sleep better with CBD oil, the health benefits are unquestionable....and it's all natural.BREATHEEZE - Nasal Strips(Click here for 15% off)Or Coupon Code: THTSnoring? Tired and frustrated by blocked airways? Picture the freedom of easy breathing and unlock your full potential with our nasal strips and mouth tape!INDOSOLE - Sustainable footwear ( Click link for 15% off) Or Coupon Code: THT(shipping is WORLDWIDE and fast).Sandals made from recycled Tyres. Timeless footwear for the conscious consumer.Music credits:(Intro) Music by Def Wish Cast.Song: FoGet down to Bondi for the first ever Bondi Bowl Bash on Saturday March 22nd. Organised by Bondi Skate Riders and Next Door clothing. FOLLOW on Apple PodcastsFOLLOW on Spotify SUBSCRIBE on YouTubeThis is the only favour I will ever ask of you! Help the show expand and get the best guests that you want frequently!Music from #Uppbeat:

O tym, jak obraziłam się na telefon, o papierowych mapach i o toksynach z mózgu, czyli o trendzie cyfrowego minimalizmu, który postanowiłam przetestować.  Książki, które przeczytałam w tym temacie i wątków dookoła niego:  Najbardziej polecam: „Wyloguj swój mózg” Anders Hansen„Złodzieje. Co okrada nas z uwagi” Johann Hari„Cyfrowy minimalizm” Cal Newport„Praca głęboka” Cal Newport „Niewolnicy dopaminy. Jak znaleźć równowagę w epoce obfitości” Anna Lembke- fajna, nie pomylić z tą poniżej, bo tamta jest słaba——„Dopaminowy detoks. Jak pozbyć się rozpraszaczy”- to ta słaba„Ekonomia uwagi. Jak nie przescrollować sobie życia?” Joanna Glogaza „Atomowe nawyki” James Clear „Skuszeni. Jak tworzyć produkty kształtujące nawyki konsumenckie” Nie Eyal Mężczyzna o imieniu Aza, który stworzył kod niekończącego się scrollowania to Aza Raskin.  Nazwisko psychologa, którego nie umiałam odczytać to Mihály Csíkszentmihályi.Aplikacja do śledzenia swojego użycia mediów i telefonu: Opal Aplikacja do uproszczenia telefonu: Dumbphone Aplikacja do blokowania insta, która mi się nie sprawdziła: One sec Aplikacja-tinder dla zdjęć w telefonie: Picnic Aplikacja organizująca dzień: Structured 

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With Tristan Harris, Aza Raskin and Theresa Payton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's show, we once again fire up our rhetorical stovetop to roast some dubious public argumentation: Oprah Winfrey's recent ABC special, “AI and the Future of Us.” In this re:joinder episode, Alex and Calvin listen through and discuss audio clips from the show featuring a wide array of guests - from corporate leaders like Sam Altman and Bill Gates to technologists like Aza Raskin and Tristan Harris, and even FBI Director Christopher Wray - and dismantle some of the mystifying rhetorical hype tropes that they (and Oprah) circulate about the proliferation of large language models (LLMs) and other “AI” technologies into our lives. Along the way, we use rhetorical tools from previous episodes, such as the stasis framework, to show which components of the debate around AI are glossed over, and which are given center-stage. We also bring our own sociopolitical and media analysis to the table to help contextualize (and correct) the presenters' claims about the speed of large language model development, the nature of its operation, and the threats - both real and imagined - that this new technological apparatus might present to the world. We conclude with a reflection on the words of novelist Marilynne Robinson, the show's final guest, who prompts us to think about the many ways in which “difficulty is the point” when it comes to human work and developing autonomy. Meanwhile, the slick and tempting narratives promoting “ease” and “efficiency” with AI technology might actually belie a much darker vision of “the future of us.” Join us as we critique and rejoin some of the most common tropes of AI hype, all compacted into one primetime special. In the spirit of automating consumptive labor, we watched it so you don't have to!Works & Concepts cited in this episode:Bender, E. M., Gebru, T., McMillan-Major, A., & Shmitchell, S. (2021, March). On the dangers of stochastic parrots: Can language models be too big?

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Historian Yuval Noah Harari says that we are at a critical turning point. One in which AI's ability to generate cultural artifacts threatens humanity's role as the shapers of history. History will still go on, but will it be the story of people or, as he calls them, ‘alien AI agents'?In this conversation with Aza Raskin, Harari discusses the historical struggles that emerge from new technology, humanity's AI mistakes so far, and the immediate steps lawmakers can take right now to steer us towards a non-dystopian future.This episode was recorded live at the Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California.Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_RECOMMENDED MEDIANEXUS: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari You Can Have the Blue Pill or the Red Pill, and We're Out of Blue Pills: a New York Times op-ed from 2023, written by Yuval, Aza, and Tristan The 2023 open letter calling for a pause in AI development of at least 6 months, signed by Yuval and Aza Further reading on the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment Further reading on AlphaGo's “move 37” Further Reading on Social.AIRECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESThis Moment in AI: How We Got Here and Where We're GoingThe Tech We Need for 21st Century Democracy with Divya SiddarthSynthetic Humanity: AI & What's At StakeThe AI DilemmaTwo Million Years in Two Hours: A Conversation with Yuval Noah Harari

Co-founders of the Center for Humane Technology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[00:11:30] Michael Allen [00:18:26] Ricky Cobb [00:36:48] Emily Schrader [00:55:10] Rep. Ashley Hinson [01:13:30] Tristan Harris & Aza Raskin [01:31:53] Mark Messier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial Intelligence is making the stuff of science fiction a science reality, changing how humans interact with the world. It could also change the way we interact with wildlife, giving us the ability to talk to animals...but are we ready? On this episode Chris talks to Aza Raskin, co-founder of Earth Species Project and Karen Bakker, a professor at the University of British Columbia, about animal communication and the pros and cons of the latest AI technology.   This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by donating at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you. THE WILD is a production of KUOW, Chris Morgan Wildlife, and the NPR Network. It is produced by Lucy Soucek and Matt Martin, and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Years ago, Aza Raskin invented the infinite scroll – and yes, he regrets it. Today, Aza is the co-founder of the Center For Humane Technology and the Earth Species Project. Aza's work focuses on creating and advocating for ethical technology that benefits collective well-being. For his latest project, he's looking beyond humanity, using artificial intelligence to decode whale communication and see what lessons we might learn from the animal world. In this expansive conversation, Adam and Aza discuss ways to improve social media, how communicating with other species could change our world, and why everyone – including our governments – needs to upgrade our thinking about an AI world. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Years ago, Aza Raskin invented the infinite scroll — and yes, he regrets it. Today, Aza is the cofounder of the Center For Humane Technology and the cofounder and president of Earth Species Project. He focuses on creating and advocating for ethical technology that benefits collective well-being. For his latest project, he's looking beyond humanity, using artificial intelligence to decode non-human communication and see what lessons we might learn from the animal world. In this expansive conversation, Adam asks Aza about the exciting and terrifying possibilities of AI, how communicating with other species could change our world, and why everyone — including our governments — needs to upgrade how we think about modern technology. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts

Scientists could actually be close to being able to decode animal communication and figure out what animals are saying to each other. And more astonishingly, we might even find ways to talk back. The study of sonic communication in animals is relatively new, and researchers have made a lot of headway over the past few decades with recordings and human analysis. But recent advancements in artificial intelligence are opening doors to parsing animal communication in ways that haven't been close to possible until now. In this talk from the 2023 Aspen Ideas Festival in partnership with Vox's “Unexplainable” podcast, two experts on animal communication and the digital world come together to explain what may come next. Tragically, a few months after this conversation was recorded in June, one of the panelists, Karen Bakker, passed away unexpectedly. Bakker was a professor at the University of British Columbia who looked at ways digital tools can address our most pressing problems. She also wrote the book “The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology is Bringing Us Closer to the World of Animals and Plants.” The UBC Geography department wrote of Bakker: “We will remember Karen as multi-faceted and superbly talented in all realms.” Aza Raskin, the co-founder of the Earth Species Project, a nonprofit trying to decode animal communication using A.I., joined Bakker for this discussion. The host of “Unexplainable,” Noam Hassenfeld, interviewed Bakker and Raskin. aspenideas.org

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Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin are the co-founders of the Center for Humane Technology and the hosts of its podcast, "Your Undivided Attention." Watch the Center's new film "The A.I. Dilemma" on Youtube.https://www.humanetech.com"The A.I. Dilemma"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoVJKj8lcNQ

When did we get so disconnected from the world around us? How can we find our way back? Aza Raskin thinks the answer might lie in humanity's greatest adversary - listening. As co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology and of the Earth Species Project, Aza and his team are using Artificial Intelligence to decode the language of animals, from whales to crows, while remaining dedicated to ensuring the accelerating rise of A.I. remains safe and responsibly handled. This is...A Bit of Optimism. For more on Aza and his work check out:  https://www.earthspecies.org/ https://www.humanetech.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin have been pushing for changes to social media companies' business models for years. Now, they're doing the same with AI. On POLITICO Tech, the co-founders of the Center for Humane Technology tell Steven Overly why Washington will need to speed up if it hopes to effectively keep AI's risks in check.

Where do the top Silicon Valley AI researchers really think  AI is headed? Do they have a plan if things go wrong?  In this episode, Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin reflect on the last several months of highlighting AI risk, and share their insider takes on a high-level workshop run by CHT in Silicon Valley. Note: Tristan refers to journalist Maria Ressa and mentions that she received 80 hate messages per hour at one point. She actually received more than 90 messages an hour.RECOMMENDED MEDIA Musk, Zuckerberg, Gates: The titans of tech will talk AI at private Capitol summitThis week will feature a series of public hearings on artificial intelligence. But all eyes will be on the closed-door gathering convened by Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerTakeaways from the roundtable with President Biden on artificial intelligenceTristan Harris talks about his recent meeting with President Biden to discuss regulating artificial intelligenceBiden, Harris meet with CEOs about AI risksVice President Kamala Harris met with the heads of Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, and OpenAI as the Biden administration rolled out initiatives meant to ensure that AI improves lives without putting people's rights and safety at riskRECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES The AI DilemmaThe AI ‘Race': China vs the US with Jeffrey Ding and Karen HaoThe Dictator's Playbook with Maria RessaYour Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

If we meet extraterrestrials someday, how will we figure out what they're saying? We currently face this problem right here at home: we have 2 million species of animals on our planet... and we have no Google Translate for any of them. We're not having conversations with (or listening to podcasts by) anyone but ourselves. Join Eagleman and his guest Aza Raskin to see the glimmer of a pathway that might get us to animal translation, and relatively soon. 

Air Date 8/20/2023 Big tech is currently scrambling to bring untested A.I. products to market, over-promising, under-delivering, and working hard obscure and ignore any possible downsides for society. Big tech needs A.I. regulation now before we all suffer the easily foreseeable consequences as well as some unforeseeable ones. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: A.I. is B.S. - Adam Conover - Air Date 3-31-23 The real risk of A.I. isn't that some super-intelligent computer is going to take over in the future - it's that the humans in the tech industry are going to screw the rest of us over right now. Ch. 2: Center for Humane Technology Co-Founders Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin discuss The AI Dilemma Part 1 - Summit - Air Date 6-15-23 What does it look like to align technology with humanity's best interests? Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin discuss how existing A.I. capabilities already pose catastrophic risks to a functional society Ch. 3: Tech's Mask Off Moment - What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future - Air Date 8-13-23 When conservative writer Richard Hanania's old posts, originally published under a pseudonym, came to light people were shocked at just how racist and reactionary they were. Perhaps less shocking were the tech moguls who were revealed to be supporting him Ch. 4: Pregnant Woman's False Arrest in Detroit Shows “Racism Gets Embedded” in Facial Recognition Technology - Democracy Now! - Air Date 8-7-23 A shocking story of wrongful arrest in Detroit has renewed scrutiny of how facial recognition software is being deployed by police departments, despite major flaws in the technology. Ch. 5: Princeton University's Ruja Benjamin on Bias in Data and A.I. - The Data Chief - Air Date - 2-3-21 Joining Cindi today is Ruha Benjamin, a professor of African American Studies at Princeton University and the founding director of the IDA B. WELLS Just Data Lab. She has studied the social dimensions of science, technology, and medicine for over 15 years Ch. 6: AI ethics leader Timnit Gebru is changing it up after Google fired her - Science Friction - Air Date 4-17-22 Timnit Gebru was fired by Google in a cloud of controversy, now she's making waves beyond Big Tech's pervasive influence Ch. 7: Center for Humane Technology Co-Founders Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin discuss The AI Dilemma Part 2 - Summit - Air Date 6-15-23 Ch. 8: Can We Govern AI? - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 4-21-23 Our guest Marietje Schaake was at the forefront of crafting tech regulations for the EU. In spite of AI's complexity, she argues there is a path forward for the U.S. and other governing bodies to rein in companies that continue to release these products MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 9: Buddhism in the Age of AI - Soryu Forall - Monastic Academy - Air Date 6-21-23 FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 10: Final comments on the difference between Microsoft's marketing and the realities of capitalism MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

What happens when creators consider what lifelong human development looks like in terms of the tools we make? And what philosophies from Sesame Street can inform how to steward the power of AI and social media to influence minds in thoughtful, humane directions?When the first episode of Sesame Street aired on PBS in 1969, it was unlike anything that had been on television before - a collaboration between educators, child psychologists, comedy writers and puppeteers - all working together to do something that had never been done before: create educational content for children on television. Fast-forward to the present: could we switch gears to reprogram today's digital tools to   humanely educate the next generation? That's the question Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin explore with Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, the Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content for the Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind Sesame Street. RECOMMENDED MEDIA Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame StreetThis documentary offers a rare window into the early days of Sesame Street, revealing the creators, artists, writers and educators who together established one of the most influential and enduring children's programs in television historySesame Street: Ready for School!: A Parent's Guide to Playful Learning for Children Ages 2 to 5 by Dr. Rosemarie TruglioRosemarie shares all the research-based, curriculum-directed school readiness skills that have made Sesame Street the preeminent children's TV programG Is for Growing: Thirty Years of Research on Children and Sesame Street co-edited by Shalom Fisch and Rosemarie TruglioThis volume serves as a marker of the significant role that Sesame Street plays in the education and socialization of young childrenThe Democratic Surround by Fred TurnerIn this prequel to his celebrated book From Counterculture to Cyberculture, Turner rewrites the history of postwar America, showing how in the 1940s and 1950s American liberalism offered a far more radical social vision than we now rememberAmusing Ourselves to Death by Neil PostmanNeil Postman's groundbreaking book about the damaging effects of television on our politics and public discourse has been hailed as a twenty-first-century book published in the twentieth centurySesame Workshop Identity Matters StudyExplore parents' and educators' perceptions of children's social identity developmentEffects of Sesame Street: A meta-analysis of children's learning in 15 countriesCommissioned by Sesame Workshop, the study was led by University of Wisconsin researchers Marie-Louise Mares and Zhongdang PanU.S. Parents & Teachers See an Unkind World for Their Children, New Sesame Survey ShowsAccording to the survey titled, “K is for Kind: A National Survey On Kindness and Kids,” parents and teachers in the United States worry that their children are living in an unkind worldRECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESAre the Kids Alright? With Jonathan HaidtThe Three Rules of Humane TechWhen Media Was for You and Me with Fred Turner Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

A few episodes back, we presented Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin's talk The AI Dilemma. People inside the companies that are building generative artificial intelligence came to us with their concerns about the rapid pace of deployment and the problems that are emerging as a result. We felt called to lay out the catastrophic risks that AI poses to society and sound the alarm on the need to upgrade our institutions for a post-AI world.The talk resonated - over 1.6 million people have viewed it on YouTube as of this episode's release date. The positive reception gives us hope that leaders will be willing to come to the table for a difficult but necessary conversation about AI.However, now that so many people have watched or listened to the talk, we've found that there are some AI myths getting in the way of making progress. On this episode of Your Undivided Attention, we debunk five of those misconceptions. Correction: Aza says that the head of the alignment team at OpenAI has concerns about safety. It's actually the former head of language model alignment, Paul Christiano, who voiced this concern. He left OpenAI in 2021.RECOMMENDED MEDIA Opinion | Yuval Harari, Tristan Harris, and Aza Raskin on Threats to Humanity Posed by AI - The New York TimesIn this New York Times piece, Yuval Harari, Tristan Harris, and Aza Raskin call upon world leaders to respond to this moment at the level of challenge it presents.Misalignment, AI & MolochA deep dive into the game theory and exponential growth underlying our modern economic system, and how recent advancements in AI are poised to turn up the pressure on that system, and its wider environment, in ways we have never seen beforeRECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESThe AI DilemmaThe Three Rules of Humane TechCan We Govern AI? with Marietje SchaakeYour Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_ 

Despite our serious concerns about the pace of deployment of generative artificial intelligence, we are not anti-AI. There are uses that can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us. Your Undivided Attention co-host Aza Raskin is also co-founder of Earth Species Project, a nonprofit dedicated to using AI to decode non-human communication. ESP is developing this technology both to shift the way that we relate to the rest of nature, and to accelerate conservation research.Significant recent breakthroughs in machine learning have opened ways to encode both human languages and map out patterns of animal communication. The research, while slow and incredibly complex, is very exciting. Picture being able to tell a whale to dive to avoid ship strikes, or to forge cooperation in conservation areas. These advances come with their own complex ethical issues. But understanding non-human languages could transform our relationship with the rest of nature and promote a duty of care for the natural world.In a time of such deep division, it's comforting to know that hidden underlying languages may potentially unite us. When we study the patterns of the universe, we'll see that humanity isn't at the center of it. Corrections:Aza refers to the founding of Earth Species Project (ESP) in 2017. The organization was established in 2018.When offering examples of self-awareness in animals, Aza mentions lemurs that get high on centipedes. They actually get high on millipedes.  RECOMMENDED MEDIA Using AI to Listen to All of Earth's SpeciesAn interactive panel discussion hosted at the World Economic Forum in San Francisco on October 25, 2022. Featuring ESP President and Cofounder Aza Raskin; Dr. Karen Bakker, Professor at UBC and Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellow; and Dr. Ari Friedlaender, Professor at UC Santa CruzWhat A Chatty Monkey May Tell Us About Learning to TalkThe gelada monkey makes a gurgling sound that scientists say is close to human speechLemurs May Be Making Medicine Out of MillipedesRed-fronted lemurs appear to use plants and other animals to treat their afflictionsFathom on AppleTV+Two biologists set out on an undertaking as colossal as their subjects – deciphering the complex communication of whales Earth Species Project is Hiring a Director of ResearchESP is looking for a thought leader in artificial intelligence with a track record of managing a team of researchers RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES The Three Rules of Humane TechThe AI DilemmaSynthetic Humanity: AI & What's At Stake Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

Air Date 4/26/2023 Today, we take a look at the trials and tribulations facing the youth today as men and boys are being surpassed academically by women and girls and girls are suffering disproportionately under the weight of the toxic forces of social media. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Transcript BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content) Join our Discord community! OUR AFFILIATE LINKS: ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Senator Josh Hawley on masculinity - Axios on HBO - Air Date 11-7-21 Axios' Mike Allen sits down with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley to discuss the senator's comments on masculinity. Ch. 2: Male inequality, explained by an expert | Richard Reeves - Big Think - Air Date 1-4-23 Modern males are struggling. Author Richard Reeves outlines the three major issues boys and men face and shares possible solutions. Ch. 3: Liz Plank & Richard Reeves Debate Gender Inequality - The Man Enough Podcast - Air Date 4-5-23 Brookings Institution scholar and acclaimed author Richard Reeves tackles the pressing issue of young men falling behind, on a mission to uplift them without jeopardizing women's rights. Ch. 4: Teenage girls experiencing record high levels of sadness, violence and trauma, CDC says - PBS Newshour - Air Date 2-20-23 In 2021, the CDC saw an increase in mental health challenges across the board, but it's girls in the U.S. that are engulfed in a wave of sadness, violence, and trauma.Stephanie Sy spoke with Sharon Hoover about the survey. Ch. 5: The Number One Reason This Generation Is Struggling | Scott Galloway Part 1 - The Diary of a CEO - Air Date 10-27-22 Scott Galloway, or ‘Prof G' to his fans, is one of the most influential business thought leaders in the world. Host of The Prof G Show, one of the most popular business podcasts in America Ch. 6: What the Andrew Tate phenomenon reveals about our society | Richard Reeves - Keep Talking - Air Date 11-13-22 Ch. 7: Social media companies face legal scrutiny over deteriorating mental health among teens - PBS Newshour - Air Date 2-14-23 A national survey by the CDC sounded a new alarm about teens in crisis. It shows nearly 30% of teenage girls said they considered dying by suicide, and three out of five girls said they felt persistently sad or hopeless. Ch. 8: Are the Kids Alright — with Jonathan Haidt Part 1 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 10-27-20 NYU social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has spent the last few years trying to figure out why, working with fellow psychologist Jean Twenge, and he believes social media is to blame. Ch. 9: The Number One Reason This Generation Is Struggling | Scott Galloway Part 2 - The Diary of a CEO - Air Date 10-27-22 Ch. 10: Are the Kids Alright — with Jonathan Haidt Part 2 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 10-27-20 MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 11: Spotlight — Addressing the TikTok Threat - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 9-8-22 This week on Your Undivided Attention, we bring you a bonus episode about TikTok. Co-hosts Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin explore the nature of the TikTok threat, and how we might address it. Ch. 12: Male inequality, explained by an expert | Richard Reeves Part 2 - Big Think - Air Date 1-4-23 VOICEMAILS Ch. 13: Continuing discussion of J.K. Rowling episode - VoiceMailer Boris Ch. 14: Marking an isolating Black leaders - V from Central New York FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 15: Final comments on the fundamental disconnections that tend to drive modern debate MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

When it comes to AI, what kind of regulations might we need to address this rapidly developing new class of technologies? What makes regulating AI and runaway tech in general different from regulating airplanes, pharmaceuticals, or food? And how can we ensure that issues like national security don't become a justification for sacrificing civil rights?Answers to these questions are playing out in real time. If we wait for more AI harms to emerge before proper regulations are put in place, it may be too late. Our guest Marietje Schaake was at the forefront of crafting tech regulations for the EU. In spite of AI's complexity, she argues there is a path forward for the U.S. and other governing bodies to rein in companies that continue to release these products into the world without oversight. Correction: Marietje said antitrust laws in the US were a century ahead of those in the EU. Competition law in the EU was enacted as part of the Treaty of Rome in 1957, almost 70 years after the US. RECOMMENDED MEDIA The AI Dilemma Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin's presentation on existing AI capabilities and the catastrophic risks they pose to a functional society. Also available in the podcast format (linked below)The Wisdom GapThis blog post from the Center for Humane Technology describes the gap between the rising interconnected complexity of our problems and our ability to make sense of themThe EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) & Digital Markets Act (DMA)The two pieces of legislation aim to create safer and more open digital spaces for individuals and businesses alike RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODESDigital Democracy is Within Reach with Audrey TangThe AI DilemmaThe Three Rules of Humane TechYour Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

In our previous episode, we shared a presentation Tristan and Aza recently delivered to a group of influential technologists about the race happening in AI. In that talk, they introduced the Three Rules of Humane Technology. In this Spotlight episode, we're taking a moment to explore these three rules more deeply in order to clarify what it means to be a responsible technologist in the age of AI.Correction: Aza mentions infinite scroll being in the pockets of 5 billion people, implying that there are 5 billion smartphone users worldwide. The number of smartphone users worldwide is actually 6.8 billion now. RECOMMENDED MEDIA We Think in 3D. Social Media Should, TooTristan Harris writes about a simple visual experiment that demonstrates the power of one's point of viewLet's Think About Slowing Down AIKatja Grace's piece about how to avert doom by not building the doom machineIf We Don't Master AI, It Will Master UsYuval Harari, Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin call upon world leaders to respond to this moment at the level of challenge it presents in this New York Times opinion piece RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES The AI DilemmaSynthetic humanity: AI & What's At Stake Your Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

Whenever I'm out doing field work or on a hike, I've not only got my eyes wide open, but my ears too. There's a lot going on in a forest or under the sea - the sounds of nature. So many of those sounds in nature are about communication.Personally, I love to chat with ravens. I like to think that we have lovely conversations. I know I'm fooling myself... but there's something happening that might change that.  There's a tech company out of Silicon Valley that is hoping to make that dream of communicating with animals a reality. Earth Species Project is a non-profit working to develop machine learning that can decode animal language. Basically, artificial intelligence that can speak whale or monkey...or perhaps even raven?So we are doing something a bit different on The Wild today - fun to mix things up now and then. For this episode I'm not outdoors among the wild creatures, but in my home studio, talking with two fascinating people about the latest developments in technology that are being created to talk to wild animals. We'll also explore the ethics of this technology. What are the downsides to playing the role of Digital Dr. Dolittle? Guests: Aza Raskin, co-founder of Earth Species Project and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology.Karen Bakker, professor at the University of British Columbia where she researches digital innovation and environmental governance. She also leads the Smart Earth Project.Follow us on Instagram @thewildpod and @chrismorganwildlife

You may have heard about the arrival of GPT-4, OpenAI's latest large language model (LLM) release. GPT-4 surpasses its predecessor in terms of reliability, creativity, and ability to process intricate instructions. It can handle more nuanced prompts compared to previous releases, and is multimodal, meaning it was trained on both images and text. We don't yet understand its capabilities - yet it has already been deployed to the public.At Center for Humane Technology, we want to close the gap between what the world hears publicly about AI from splashy CEO presentations and what the people who are closest to the risks and harms inside AI labs are telling us. We translated their concerns into a cohesive story and presented the resulting slides to heads of institutions and major media organizations in New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco. The talk you're about to hear is the culmination of that work, which is ongoing.AI may help us achieve major advances like curing cancer or addressing climate change. But the point we're making is: if our dystopia is bad enough, it won't matter how good the utopia we want to create. We only get one shot, and we need to move at the speed of getting it right.RECOMMENDED MEDIAAI ‘race to recklessness' could have dire consequences, tech experts warn in new interviewTristan Harris and Aza Raskin sit down with Lester Holt to discuss the dangers of developing AI without regulationThe Day After (1983)This made-for-television movie explored the effects of a devastating nuclear holocaust on small-town residents of KansasThe Day After discussion panelModerated by journalist Ted Koppel, a panel of present and former US officials, scientists and writers discussed nuclear weapons policies live on television after the film airedZia Cora - Submarines “Submarines” is a collaboration between musician Zia Cora (Alice Liu) and Aza Raskin. The music video was created by Aza in less than 48 hours using AI technology and published in early 2022RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES Synthetic humanity: AI & What's At StakeA Conversation with Facebook Whistleblower Frances HaugenTwo Million Years in Two Hours: A Conversation with Yuval Noah HarariYour Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

For many of us, the term artificial intelligence conjures up images of science fiction movies. But what is it really? As AI technology becomes a bigger part of our world, Lester Holt sits down with Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin, co-founders of the Center for Humane Technology, to talk about how it works.

Tristan Harris is a former Google design ethicist, co-founder and president of the Center for Humane Technology, and co-host of the Center for Humane Technology's "Your Undivided Attention" podcast with Aza Raskin. Daniel Schmachtenberger is a founding member of The Consilience Project, aimed at improving public sensemaking and dialogue.