Beyond human minds: The bewildering frontier of consciousness in insects, AI, and more
What if there’s something it’s like to be a shrimp — or a chatbot?For centuries, humans have debated the nature of consciousness, often placing ourselves at the very top. But what about the minds of o...
23 Maj 20253h 34min
Don’t believe OpenAI’s “nonprofit” spin (emergency pod with Tyler Whitmer)
OpenAI’s recent announcement that its nonprofit would “retain control” of its for-profit business sounds reassuring. But this seemingly major concession, celebrated by so many, is in itself largely me...
15 Maj 20251h 12min
The case for and against AGI by 2030 (article by Benjamin Todd)
More and more people have been saying that we might have AGI (artificial general intelligence) before 2030. Is that really plausible? This article by Benjamin Todd looks into the cases for and against...
12 Maj 20251h
Emergency pod: Did OpenAI give up, or is this just a new trap? (with Rose Chan Loui)
When attorneys general intervene in corporate affairs, it usually means something has gone seriously wrong. In OpenAI’s case, it appears to have forced a dramatic reversal of the company’s plans to si...
8 Maj 20251h 2min
#216 – Ian Dunt on why governments in Britain and elsewhere can't get anything done – and how to fix it
When you have a system where ministers almost never understand their portfolios, civil servants change jobs every few months, and MPs don't grasp parliamentary procedure even after decades in office —...
2 Maj 20253h 14min
Serendipity, weird bets, & cold emails that actually work: Career advice from 16 former guests
How do you navigate a career path when the future of work is uncertain? How important is mentorship versus immediate impact? Is it better to focus on your strengths or on the world’s most pressing pro...
24 Apr 20252h 18min
#215 – Tom Davidson on how AI-enabled coups could allow a tiny group to seize power
Throughout history, technological revolutions have fundamentally shifted the balance of power in society. The Industrial Revolution created conditions where democracies could flourish for the first ti...
16 Apr 20253h 22min
Guilt, imposter syndrome & doing good: 16 past guests share their mental health journeys
"We are aiming for a place where we can decouple the scorecard from our worthiness. It’s of course the case that in trying to optimise the good, we will always be falling short. The question is how mu...
11 Apr 20251h 47min
