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Reasons Revisited
Apocalypse (not) now: is AI an existential threat?
Depending on who you speak to, AI is either going to plunge us into the abyss or improve every aspect of our lives immeasurably. The hype around AI can be disorientating, so let the RTBC team steer you away from the grim end-of-humanity inevitability, as we explore a more nuanced version of the AI story. Our guests Mustafa Suleyman, Dr Mhairi Aitken and Lauren M. E. Goodlad discuss whether the benefits of AI will ever outweigh the risks, why AI hype can serve as a distraction from some very pressing issues, and whether Geoff can ever replace Ed as a more obedient podcast host.
Plus: Despite the technological advances of AI, why are Ed and Geoff still hung up on Ceefax?
Guests
Mustafa Suleyman, Co-founder of Inflection AI and author of The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century's Greatest Dilemma (@mustafasuleyman)
Dr Mhairi Aitken, Ethics Fellow, Alan Turing Institute (@mhairi_aitken / @turinginst)
Lauren M. E. Goodlad, Professor of English and Comparative Literature and Chair of the Critical AI Initiative at Rutgers University (@CriticalAI)
More information
Buy a copy of Mustafa’s book here
Learn more about Inflection AI here
Learn more about the Alan Turing Institute and the work Mhairi is doing on children’s rights and AI
Learn more about Rutgers University’s Critical AI Initiative with the journal’s inaugural issue to follow in October 2023
More episodes
View all episodes
LABOUR'S FIRST MOVES: Keir Starmer Gives Away Power
12:52|In its first King's Speech, the Labour government said that "greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy and is a key driver of economic growth."Historically, why has the UK been so insistent on hoarding power centrally? And what's the potential in Westminster giving away power?With Tony Travers (LSE), Sarah Longlands (IPPR North) and Neil McInroy (The Centre for Local Economic Strategies)
LABOUR'S FIRST MOVES: Rachel Reeves' National Wealth Fund
13:48|Ed has departed for government, and Geoff is left as custodian of the archive. As the Labour government makes its first raft of announcements and appointments, we delve into our back catalogue to find the ideas which might have influenced them. In this episode, we look at Rachel Reeves' announcement of the National Wealth Fund. What are public wealth funds? What different forms can they take? What are the potential benefits to our country?We revisit our episode Investment for the People from October 2022. First, we get the beginner's guide from UCL Associate Professor Josh Ryan-Collins. Then we hear from Professor Karin Thorburn about Norway’s Sovereign Wealth Fund, which (due to specific historical circumstances) is very different to the one proposed for the UK, but illustrates how a public wealth fund could transform the way we finance Government spending. More infoNorway’s Sovereign Wealth FundUCL IIPP Report on Public Wealth FundsGuestsJosh Ryan-Collins, Associate Professor in Economics and Finance, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (@jryancollins) (@IIPP_UCL)Karin Thorburn, Professor of Finance, Norwegian School of Economics (@karinsthorburn) (@NHHnor)
28. ED & GEOFF HAVE LEFT THE CHATTEROO
36:51||Season 2, Ep. 28The day is upon us. Maybe. In the words of the late Teddy Kennedy (uncle of Robert F. Junior, and real-life inspiration for Kendall Roy):"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."Thank you for keeping us cheerful.Email our sporadically monitored inbox: chat@cheerfulpodcast.comFull text of Ted Kennedy's 1980 Democratic National Concession address: https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/tedkennedy1980dnc.htm
TOMORROW: THE CHATTEROO STOPS HERE
00:12|We're giving you an extra 24 hours to don a black armband and stock up on Kleenex, as the Chatteroo approaches its final destination.
27. CHATTEROO #25 - Cicada Ardor
30:09||Season 2, Ep. 27From Highland Park, Illinois, we're joined by our cicada correspondent, who's keeping watch for the first dual emergence in 221 years. Plus, we find out more about this phenomenon with entomologist Professor Dave Bilton.Bigger than the beetles - more about Dave: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/david-biltonEmerge in the Chatteroo inbox: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
26. CHATTEROO #24 - with Lauren Child
33:44||Season 2, Ep. 26Lauren Child (former Children's Laureate/creator of Charlie & Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort) joins the Chatteroo.Buy Lauren's new Clarice Bean book, 'Smile': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/smile-lauren-child/7462273?ean=9780008285548
25. CHATTEROO #23 WILL HUTTON - This Time No Mistakes
27:54||Season 2, Ep. 25Political economist and writer, Will Hutton joins the Chatteroo to talk about his new book, 'This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain', and its parallels with his mid-90s bestseller, 'The State We're In'.Buy Will's book: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/this-time-no-mistakes-9781804549407/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
24. CHATTEROO #22
34:28||Season 2, Ep. 24Vegetarian escalope at the Paris Olympics, energy nerds, The Boring Phone, Mid TV and your correspondence.Join the Chatteroo! Email us with thoughts, questions and any fodder: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com
23. CHATTEROO #21 England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight
42:12||Season 2, Ep. 23Just in time for St George's Day, former Mili-gang members Marc Stears & Tom Baldwin join the Chatteroo to talk about their excellent new book 'England: Seven Myths That Changed a Country - And How To Set Them Straight'Treat yourself to a copy - you deserve it! https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/england-9781526646231/Email us: chat@cheerfulpodcast.com