AI Ethics Needs a Nightmare, Not a North Star

AI Ethics Needs a Nightmare, Not a North Star

From SHIFT by Jennifer Strong

May 6, 2026 · 24 min · Season 3 · Episode 31

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential flaws in the current approach to AI ethics and features a conversation with Reid Blackman about his new book.

What if the standard approach to responsible AI, built around aspirational values like fairness and transparency, is fundamentally broken in the age of AI agents? We Meet: Reid Blackman is the author of the new book The Ethical Nightmare Challenge and the founder of AI ethics consultancy Virtue. Episode Links: Reid and Jennifer are speaking at the Drawing Room Salon on May 20: https://thedrawingroom.ai/ Reid's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Nightmare-Challenge-Avoid-Worst-ebook/dp/B0GRC1ZPYX Credits: This episode of SHIFT was produced by Jennifer Strong with help from Emma Cillekens. It was mixed by Garret Lang, with original music from him and Jacob Gorski. Art by Meg Marco.

People in this episode

Host: Jennifer Strong

Guest: Reid Blackman

Topics covered

  • AI ethics
  • responsible AI
  • transparency
  • fairness
  • AI agents
  • ethical challenges

Keywords

  • AI ethics
  • responsible AI
  • Reid Blackman
  • The Ethical Nightmare Challenge
  • transparency
  • fairness
  • AI agents

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Virtue

Products: Ethical Nightmare Challenge

Books & works: The Ethical Nightmare Challenge

Places: Drawing Room Salon

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