Three guys (all Brits) talking about this question “Robot Race: Could AI Ever Replace Humanity (part 1)” is part of a larger video podcast series known as the ‘Big Conversation’ and part 2 of this ‘Big Conversation’ is going to be available on Friday, September 22, 2023.

I haven’t listened to the entire first part of the conversation yet. So far, it seems quite engaging and provocative (especially the first five minutes). They’re not arguing but since I don’t want to spoil the surprise do watch the first bit (the first 5 mins. of a 53 mins. 38 secs. podcast).

You can’t ask more of a conversation than to be provoked into thinking. That said …

Pause

I’m a little hesitant to include much about faith and religion here but this two-part series touches on topics that have been discussed here many times. So, the ‘Big Conversation’ is produced through a Christian group. Here’s more about the podcast series and its producers from the Big Conversation webpage,

he Big Conversation is a video series from Premier Unbelievable? featuring world-class thinkers across the religious and non-religious communities. Exploring science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human [emphasis mine]. The Big Conversation is produced by Premier in partnership with John Templeton Foundation.

Premier consists of Premier Christian Media Trust registered as a charity (no. 287610) and as a company limited by guarantee (no. 01743091) with two fully-owned trading subsidiaries: Premier Christian Communications Ltd (no. 02816074) and Christian Communication Partnership Ltd (no. 03422292). All three companies are registered in England & Wales with a registered office address of Unit 6 April Court, Syborn Way, Crowborough, TN6 3DZ.

I haven’t seen any signs of proselytizing and like almost every other website in existence, they are very interested in getting you to be on their newsletter email list, to donate, etc.

Back to the conversation.

The Robot Race, Parts I & 2: Could AI ever replace humanity?

Here’s a description of the Big Conversation series and two specific podcasts, from the September 20, 2023 press release (received via email),

Big Conversation Season Finale on AI and the Future of Humanity Available this Friday

Featuring AI expert Dr. Nigel Crook, episode explores ‘The Robot Race: Could AI ever replace humans?’

WHAT: 
Currently in its 5th season, The Big Conversation, hosted by comedian and apologist Andy Kind, features some of the biggest minds in the Christian, atheist and religious world to debate some of the biggest questions of science, faith, philosophy and what it means to be human. 

Episodes 5 & 6 of this season feature a two-part discussion about robotics, the future of artificial intelligence and the subsequent concerns of morality surrounding these advancements. This thought-provoking exchange on ethics in AI is sure to leave listeners informed and intrigued to learn more regarding the future of humanity relating to cyber-dependency, automation regulation, AI agency and abuses of power in technology.

WHO:  
To help us understand the complexities of AI, including the power and ethics around the subject – and appropriate concern for the future of humanity – The Big Conversation host Andy Kind spoke with AI Expert Dr. Nigel Crook and Neuroscientist Anil Seth.   

Dr. Nigel Crook, a distinguished figure recognized for his innovative contributions to the realm of AI and robotics, focuses extensively on research related to machine learning inspired by biological processes and the domain of social robotics. He serves as the Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at Oxford Brooks University and is the Founding Director at the Institute for Ethical AI, specifically revolving around the concept of self-governing ethical robots.

WHEN:  
Episode 5, the first in the two-part AI series, released September 8 [2023], and episode 6 releases Friday, Sept. 22 [2023].  

WHERE:  
These episodes are available at https://www.thebigconversation.show/ as well as all major podcast platforms.  

I have a little more about Anil Seth from the Big Conversation Episode 5 webpage,

… Anil Seth, Professor of Cognitive & Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex, winner of The Michael Faraday Prize and Lecture 2023, and author of “Being You: A New Science of Consciousness”

There’s also a bit about Seth in my June 30, 2017 posting “A question of consciousness: Facebotlish (a new language); a July 5, 2017 rap guide performance in Vancouver, Canada; Tom Stoppard’s play; and a little more,” scroll down to the subhead titled ‘Vancouver premiere of Baba Brinkman’s Rap Guide to Consciousness’.