Future of Life Institute Podcast

Sherry Turkle is a professor of sociology and personality psychology at MIT. She joins the podcast to discuss artificial intimacy and the psychological impact of emotional attachment to AI chatbots. We examine why people turn to machines for empathy and companionship, how conversational agents exploit human vulnerabilities, and the specific risks for children and the elderly. Turkle also explains the importance of solitude, boredom, and vulnerability, emphasizing why society must invest in physical communities to reclaim human connection.

LINKS:
Sherry Turkle Official Website
Sherry Turkle Author Biography

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(01:10) Defining artificial intimacy

(10:12) Protecting vulnerable populations

(21:40) Intimacy requires vulnerability

(33:12) Dangers of AI therapy

(45:44) Embracing solitude and boredom

(56:47) Reclaiming the real world

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Garrison Lovely is an author and journalist. He joins the podcast to discuss the race to replace human labor with artificial general intelligence. We explore the political risks of worker displacement and lessons from historical precedents like the nuclear freeze movement. Garrison also examines rising public opposition to AI data centers and outlines strategies for organizing collective action to steer technological development.

LINKS:
Obsolete Book Official Website
Garrison Lovely Official Website

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(00:53) Universal labor replacement

(08:17) Economic obsolescence and power

(16:47) Replacement versus extinction risk

(31:54) The AI bubble debate

(47:24) Rising public backlash

(01:00:53) Lessons from nuclear freeze

(01:10:16) AGI is not inevitable

(01:16:41) Organizing collective action

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Michael Patrick Clarkson is the writer and director of the film Delisted.
Watch the film here.
He joins the podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence could enable state surveillance, social control, and the digital erasure of dissenters. The conversation explores the societal costs of widespread automation across education and labor, the risks of public-private partnerships in technology oversight, and the importance of preserving human connection and creative agency amid rapid technological change.

LINKS:
Delisted Film Official Website

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(01:18) Introducing the film Delisted

(04:18) Public and private surveillance

(09:53) Human cost of automation

(15:06) Losing connection through technology

(21:48) Social divisions over automation

(25:56) Communicating the AI warning

(31:40) State surveillance and erasure

(39:33) Escapism and systemic exhaustion

(44:06) Becoming more human

(50:16) Discarding the AI creators

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Tom Cozens is a filmmaker and writer. He joins the podcast to discuss his short film Moloch and the dynamics of competitive races in artificial intelligence.
Watch the film here.

We explore the philosophical and theological themes behind the film and the challenge of depicting near-future AI agents on screen. Tom also discusses the role of cinema in communicating existential dread, definitions of human flourishing, and the need to coordinate against destructive systemic incentives. 
LINKS:
Moloch Film Official Website
Tom Cozens Official Website
CHAPTERS:
(00:00) Episode Preview
(00:59) The concept of Moloch
(03:28) Visualizing Moloch on screen
(15:21) Parable of cosmic horror
(22:37) Theological and philosophical themes
(35:10) Depicting near-future AI agents
(50:15) Inspiration from Metropolis
(01:04:58) Sound design and score
(01:13:16) AI industry incentive structures
(01:18:27) Defining human flourishing
(01:28:59) Embodiment versus digital minds
(01:34:33) Challenging systemic presuppositions
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Katrina Manson is author of PROJECT MAVEN: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare. She joins the podcast to discuss Project Maven and the Pentagon's use of AI in military targeting. We explore how computer vision and language models accelerate decision-making, the operational challenges of data labeling and model reliability, and ethical questions surrounding human oversight. Katrina also discusses how commercial tech partnerships shape defense software and what accelerating targeting workflows means for accountability.

LINKS:
Project Maven Book Page

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(01:15) Origins of Project Maven

(05:00) The Maven Smart System

(08:39) Debating AI targeting speed

(15:48) Human bottlenecks in war

(20:48) Accountability and targeting errors

(27:01) Defense and tech partnerships

(32:41) Future of military AI

(38:50) Remaining open questions

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SOCIAL LINKS:

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