About this episode
The episode explores the concept of prophecy in relation to prediction and power, featuring Dr Carissa Véliz.
What if prediction isn’t about knowing the future, but controlling it? On this episode, I'm joined by a leading thinker on digital ethics, privacy and technology to explore the idea of prophecy. Episode Summary My guest is Dr Carissa Véliz and in our discussion, we talk about humanity’s long-standing obsession with predicting what comes next, and why today’s algorithms may be the most powerful (and dangerous) prophets we’ve ever created. From ancient oracles and court astrologers to modern AI systems and tech executives, we explore how prediction has always been less about knowledge and more about power. What becomes clear is that while the tools have changed, the underlying dynamics haven’t. We still crave certainty, we still look for authority, and we’re still willing to trust those who claim to see the future. The difference now is scale: predictive technologies don’t just forecast behaviour; they shape it. And the more accurate they appear, the less likely we are to question them. We then explore responsibility. If prediction influences reality, then our willingness to accept it matters. This episode is a reminder that the future isn’t something that simply happens to us, but…
People in this episode
Host: Human Risk
Guest: Dr Carissa Véliz
Topics covered
- digital ethics
- privacy
- technology
- prediction
- power
- AI
Keywords
- prediction
- digital ethics
- AI
- privacy
- technology
- power
- certainty
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Institute for Ethics in AI, Hertford College, University of Oxford
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