Teaching the Machine: Conscience and Truth in the Age of AI Artwork

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"An Outside Context Problem was the sort of thing most civilizations encountered just once, and which they tended to encounter rather in the same way a sentence encountered a full stop." — Iain M. Banks, Excession. This podcast discusses challenges that fall into the outside context with the innovators and visionaries who are the forefront of technological change. It considers the big picture of technology, and why this matters for the future of human civilisation.

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Teaching the Machine: Conscience and Truth in the Age of AI

August 27, 2025 • Jannah Patchay & Elise Soucie Watts • Season 1 • Episode 12

In episode 12 of The Outside Context, Haviva Kohl, Senior Program Manager at a Big Tech firm, shares her unique journey from being a sixth-grade teacher to working in tech, through to discussing the implications of AI, disinformation, and the defence of democracy. She emphasises the rapid pace of AI development and its potential impact on jobs and society, while also addressing the challenges of misinformation and the erosion of trust in institutions. The discussion explores the role of big tech in safeguarding democracy and the need for critical thinking and resilience in navigating the information landscape. Ultimately, Haviva expresses cautious optimism for the future, highlighting the importance of education and community engagement in fostering a more informed society.

Key takeaways:

Haviva's journey reflects a commitment to empowering individuals and communities.
The pace of AI development is unprecedented and poses unique challenges.
Disinformation threatens the core of Western civilization and trust in institutions.
Democracies face structural disadvantages in combating disinformation compared to authoritarian regimes.
Big tech firms have a role in safeguarding democracy but require careful regulation.
Critical thinking is essential in navigating misinformation and disinformation.
Education systems are struggling to keep up with technological advancements.
There is hope for the future through the resilience of younger generations.
Humans have the capacity to adapt and overcome challenges posed by technology.
Building frameworks of trust around information is crucial for society.

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