Prophecy, Power, and the Algorithm — with Carissa Véliz of Oxford's Institute for Ethics in AI

About this episode

Carissa Véliz discusses the intersection of prophecy, prediction, and power in the context of AI and digital technology.

“Often predictions try to pass as descriptions of the world or facts when actually they are something like power plays in disguise.” — Carissa Véliz Reviews are the lifeblood of independent podcasts. If TP&R belongs in more people's ears, here's how you make that happen: Apple Podcasts: Rate & Review on Apple Spotify: Rate on Spotify When a tech executive declares that AI will transform everything, are they describing the future, or commanding it? Carissa Véliz, Associate Professor at Oxford’s Institute for Ethics in AI, argues that prophecy and prediction have always been instruments of power, from the Oracle of Delphi to the algorithm in your pocket. In her new book Prophecy, she traces how surveillance and prediction became the twin original sins of digital technology, why predictions are never facts, and what philosophy offers as an antidote. It’s a conversation that is as timely as it is ancient. Calls to Action ✅ If this conversation resonates, consider sharing it with someone who believes connection across difference still matters. ✅ Subscribe to Corey’s Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen…

People in this episode

Host: Corey Nathan

Guest: Carissa Véliz

Topics covered

• AI ethics
• predictions
• power dynamics
• surveillance
• digital technology

Keywords

• AI
• ethics
• predictions
• surveillance
• digital technology
• power plays
• Oracle of Delphi

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oxford's Institute for Ethics in AI

Books & works: Prophecy

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