Carissa Véliz– AI, Prediction, and the Fight for the Future

Carissa Véliz– AI, Prediction, and the Fight for the Future

Author: How To Academy August 14, 2026 Duration: 59:30
Today's computer scientists play the same role as the oracles of the ancient world and the astrologers of the Middle Ages. Modern predictions not only advise on war, crop output, and marriages, algorithms and statisticians now determine whether we can get a loan, a job, an apartment, or an organ transplant. And when we cede ground to these predictions, we lose control of our own lives. In this powerful reassessment of the ways prediction shapes our everyday lives, Oxford professor Carissa Véliz will explain how putting too much stock in others' predictions makes us vulnerable to charlatans, con artists, dubious technology, and self-deception. Carissa will outline how a free and robust society requires not more prediction, but better preparation. Join us to explore the hidden dangers of prediction in the age of AI, and what we must do to reclaim control of our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every other week, the How To Academy Podcast opens a door into conversations that reshape how we see the world. Stemming from London's vibrant hub for big ideas, this series brings you extended, thoughtful dialogues with the very minds shaping contemporary thought. You'll hear from laureates and prize-winners, yes, but more importantly, you'll get the substance behind their headlines. These aren't quick soundbites; each episode allows for a deep, meandering exploration of topics that span society, culture, and the latest scientific discoveries, all with an eye toward practical understanding and personal growth. Tuning in is like securing a front-row seat to a private lecture, where the goal is always to leave you with something tangible-a new perspective, a clearer question, or a genuine sense of possibility. It’s for anyone who believes that ideas, when given enough space to breathe, can genuinely change us from the inside out. This podcast draws directly from the How To Academy's mission, transforming their stage into an intimate audio experience that connects global thinking to your daily life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

How To Academy Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Malala Yousafzai - Finding My Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:33
Thrust onto the public stage at just fifteen years old after the Taliban’s brutal attack on her life, Malala quickly became an international icon — but away from the cameras and crowds, she was a young woman struggling t…
M. John Harrison - The End of Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:44
One of the leaders of British science fiction's 1960s New Wave, M. John Harrison has spent the subsequent five decades inventing new and exhilarating literary worlds that push against the boundaries of genre and expectat…
Mark Williamson – How To Live a Happier Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:43
What does it mean to be happy? Whilst it’s not always possible to change our circumstances, Action for Happiness founder Mark Williamson believes that we all have the potential to take action to feel better. Blending sci…
Novelist Elodie Harper – Boudicca's Daughter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:24
Boudicca had two daughters, but history records their existence and nothing more. Sunday Times bestselling author Elodie Harper joins us to discuss her latest novel, Boudicca's Daughters, which reimagines Boudicca and he…
Caroline Sylge – How To Retreat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:12
Caroline Sylge reminds us to press pause on the daily overwhelm of modern life by bringing the magic and solace of retreating into your every day. What comes into your mind when you hear the word 'retreat'? Meditation at…
Neurologist Majid Fotuhi – How To Age-Proof Your Brain [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:24
Neurologist Majid Fotuhi is leading the charge in revolutionising how we understand human intelligence, brain health and age-related cognitive decline. By uncovering the true wonder of how the brain works and its infinit…
Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris - On Birds, Wonder, and Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:05
A great thinning of the skies is underway. Dusk and dawn are growing quiet as birdlife faces a rapid decline across the world. It does not have to be this way — but we will not save what we do not love. From how sparrowh…