Machine Learning: What’s Good?

Explicit content warning

11/01/23 • 43 min

Moral Repair: A Black Exploration of Tech

Is it possible to control AI? If so, how can we make it more ethical? Damien Williams, PhD, a philosopher of science, technology, and society, has some ideas. Annanda and Keisha chat Marvel movies, Ultron’s bad manners, and what lessons machine learning could take from the world of plant medicine and harm reduction.

SHOW NOTES

NEW: Come talk to us on social media! We’re at @moralrepairpodcast on Instagram and @MoralRepair on X (Twitter). You can also reach us by email: moralrepairpodcast at gmail dot com
The Verge surveys Americans on who’s using AI tools and what worries them (June 2023)
A 2020 note in the Federal Register on how US border-crossing tech expanded and evolved: first for so-called “aliens” (non-citizens) and then to other categories of immigrant or citizen
In 2010, Peggy McIntosh shared some notes on her classic “Invisible Knapsack” article (National Seed Project on Inclusive Curriculum)
Ethicist Shannon Vallor speaks and writes on the AI Mirror https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40UbpSoYN4k); her book with Oxford UP comes out May 2024.
The Associated Press reports on concerns about generative AI producing disinfo during the 2024 election cycle (August 2023)
Harry Frankfurt’s On Bullshit (2004)
A philosophy anthology where listeners can find the Aristotle essay Keisha and Damien mentioned and many other reflections on science, tech, and human values from the fields of technical communication and science, technology and society: Philosophy of Technology: The Technological Condition: An Anthology (2nd edition)
Annanda’s closing nod to Black poet, professor, and theorist Audre Lorde references a conference address Lorde later published in the collection, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches (Penguin, 1984/2020)

SHOW NOTES

NEW: Come talk to us on social media! We’re at @moralrepairpodcast on Instagram and @MoralRepair on X (Twitter). You can also reach us by email: moralrepairpodcast at gmail dot com
The Verge surveys Americans on who’s using AI tools and what worries them (June 2023)
A 2020 note in the Federal Register on how US border-crossing tech expanded and evolved: first for so-called “aliens” (non-citizens) and then to other categories of immigrant or citizen
In 2010, Peggy McIntosh shared some notes on her classic “Invisible Knapsack” article (National Seed Project on Inclusive Curriculum)
Ethicist Shannon Vallor speaks and writes on the AI Mirror https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40UbpSoYN4k); her book with Oxford UP comes out May 2024.
The Associated Press reports on concerns about generative AI producing disinfo during the 2024 election cycle (August 2023)
Harry Frankfurt’s On Bullshit (2004)
A philosophy anthology where listeners can find the Aristotle essay Keisha and Damien mentioned and many other reflections on science, tech, and human values from the fields of technical communication and science, technology and society: Philosophy of Technology: The Technological Condition: An Anthology (2nd edition)
Annanda’s closing nod to Black poet, professor, and theorist Audre Lorde references a conference address Lorde later published in the collection, Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches (Penguin, 1984/2020)

Previous Episode

Holograms & How We Remember

Have you ever considered the moral dilemma of a hologram narrating someone's life story for them? Dive into the latest episode of Moral Repair as we interview Otis Moss III about the interactive AI hologram of his father Civil Rights Leader Otis Moss Jr. showcased at the Maltz Museum in Ohio. Discover Zuogwi Earl Reeves how the black wisdom of hip-hop plays a pivotal role in the moral repair of narrating our tales authentically. Tune into the episode and embark on this thought-provoking journey with us.

Otis Moss III pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ https://www.trinitychicago.org/rev-dr-otis-moss-iii/

Public Theologian Zuogwi Earl Reeves work https://www.zuogwiearl.com

About the Maltz Museum exhibit on Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diHzrepVY_U&t=19s ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diHzrepVY_U&t=19s)
About aiEsther, the bot based on Esther Perel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSF-Al45hQU
About museums and human remains: https://theconversation.com/us-museums-hold-the-remains-of-thousands-of-black-people-156558; see also https://www.science.org/content/article/racist-scientist-built-collection-human-skulls-should-we-still-study-them about the U of Penn Museum
About Hologram-2Pac at Coachella with Snoop Dogg: 2012 NPR story with still from the performance
About the Henrietta Lacks family settlement: <https://www.statnews.com/2023/08/01/henrietta-lacks-family-settlement-hela-cells/ ](https://www.statnews.com/2023/08/01/henrietta-lacks-family-settlement-hela-cells/)

Next Episode

Web3 & The Pursuit of the American Dream

How has the American Dream transformed in the wake of the Great Recession? Annanda & Keisha examine the impact of the Great Recession on the American Dream focusing on the rise of Bitcoin and blockchain. Through the lens of bell hooks’ philosophical perspectives, they explore the deeper moral stakes. Featuring a captivating conversation with Adorable Earthangel, a web3 entrepreneur and spiritual technologist, who offers unique insights on how to navigate this new landscape.