Doha Debates Podcast

It can write emails, essays and even songs. It has created award-winning pieces of art, and it’s one reason that Hollywood is on strike. That’s right—today’s podcast episode is about artificial intelligence.

Generative AI programs such as ChatGPT, DALL-E and Midjourney are worrying artists of all kinds about the future of art. Is AI coming for artists’ jobs and livelihood, or is it a helpful tool pushing art to a new horizon?

Jason Allen used generative AI to create his work “Théâtre d'Opéra Spatial,” which won the Colorado State Fair’s annual fine art competition in 2022, making news headlines. He says artists should be excited and more open to working with AI as a new artistic medium that can help break down barriers and democratize art for everyone. On the other side, Molly Crabapple, award-winning artist and writer, says artists—and everyone—should be concerned about generative AI, arguing that these programs are not only stealing from, but “sucking the lifeblood,” from living artists. Additionally, she contends that the limited creativity of AI art programs will ultimately impoverish human culture. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as our guests debate the controversy surrounding AI art, the economics of artificial intelligence and the future of art around the world.

Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

How do we work together to address climate change when there's no consensus on the solution? Host Nelufar Hedayat explores multiple solutions to climate change with Per Espen Stoknes, a Norwegian psychologist who specializes in the psychology of economic choices for climate change. She then speaks to Harvard geologist Dr. Daniel Schrag about how the scientific community could improve its messaging. And finally, she talks to former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard about the political perils of going big when it comes to enacting green laws.

If you could prevent your future child from having a life-threatening disease, would you do it? What if you could prevent addictions or the development of bad habits before they were even born? What if you could genetically engineer your child to be taller, or if you could select their eye color or even their sex? How much of this would you be OK with—and which of these things give you “the ick”?

Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London, says genetic engineering is a slippery slope that raises a lot of moral and ethical questions. She argues that just because we can do these things, doesn't mean that we necessarily should. She says that gene editing could deepen class and cultural divides, especially if only the wealthy few can access and afford the technology. Sarah Chan, chancellor's fellow in ethics at University of Edinburgh, agrees that while there is some risk with genetic engineering, there are also risks if we don’t pursue it. She argues that gene editing has the power to create a more just and healthy society. Listen to the Doha Debates Podcast as they debate the promises and pitfalls of genetic engineering—is this technology our future, or should it remain science fiction?

Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

The business of space is booming: Humans are leaving Earth’s atmosphere to mine for precious minerals that could bring trillions of dollars in profit. But with only a handful of laws currently regulating the final frontier, will space mining deepen existing global inequalities or could it save humanity?

Alice Gorman, space archaeologist, says space is for all humanity, but right now space mining isn’t focused on sustainability or moral responsibility. She argues that greater government oversight is necessary before we commercialize space. Jose Acain, co-founder of asteroid mining company AstroForge, says space mining is necessary to sustain Earth’s supply issues. He argues that government regulation is needed in regards to space ownership, but worries that too much regulation will stifle potential advancements. Listen to Doha Debates Podcast as these experts discuss the best way to explore space, mitigate mining risks and build a better future.

This special episode is inspired by Necessary Tomorrows, a podcast from Doha Debates and presented by Al Jazeera that combines fiction and fact to imagine better futures. To dig deeper into the core issues and ethics of space exploration and cultivation, check out episode three of Necessary Tomorrows, “A Feast for Cobalt.” Listeners are thrust into the near future, where an asteroid is discovered with enough minerals for Earth to run entirely on green energy.

Doha Debates Podcast is a production of Doha Debates and FP Studios. This episode is hosted by Joshua Johnson. Thoughts on this conversation? Let us know! Follow us everywhere @DohaDebates and join the post-episode discussion in our YouTube comments.

This week on the Doha Debates Podcast, we’re thrilled to share an episode from one of our other podcasts, The Negotiators.

William Ury is one of the most famous negotiation experts in the world. He co-wrote the classic book Getting to Yes and co-founded Harvard’s program on negotiation. In this episode, Ury shares negotiation advice and stories from famous peace talks in conversation with host Jenn Williams.

The Negotiators brings you stories from people resolving some of the world’s most dramatic conflicts. It is a partnership between Doha Debates and Foreign Policy. Season 3 is out now, so if you enjoyed this episode, check out the full show and follow wherever you get your podcasts: https://link.chtbl.com/TheNegotiators