The Fight for the Future: AI, Privacy & Power with CARISSA VÉLIZ

The Fight for the Future: AI, Privacy & Power with CARISSA VÉLIZ

Author: Mia Funk April 21, 2026 Duration: 53:47

“Algorithms are deciding whether you are eligible for a loan, a job, an apartment or insurance. They determine what you see online, who reads your social media posts and who connects with you on dating apps. They may even decide whether you get arrested or go to jail. Your very life hangs in the balance of prophecies.”

In this episode of the Speaking Out of Place podcast, Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with Carissa Véliz, an associate professor at the University of Oxford, about her new book,Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future—from Ancient Oracles to AI. Linking this work to her previous book, Privacy is Power: Why and How You Should Take Back Control of Your Data, Véliz writes: “ surveillance and prediction are digital technology’s original sins.”

In our wide-ranging discussion, we talk about how both massive and intrusive invasions of privacy at all levels of society and false claims to be able to predict the future erode democracy, are corrosive to ethics, and undermine people’s ability to think for themselves. Instead, we are conditioned to trust an unregulated band of “effective altruists” who claim to know better than we what kinds of lives we should prefer and the choices we should make. Véliz argues instead that we should embrace the uncertain to build resilience, to prepare for contingency but not be determined by what we cannot see, and to foster curiosity and imagination.

EPISODE CHAPTERS

(0:00) Digital Technology's Original Sins

(2:34) How Books and Prophecies Choose Their Readers

(5:50) The Link Between AI, Mass Surveillance, and Profit

(8:46) Why Ethics Is the Hidden Foundation of Democracy

(13:52) The Future Tense as a Tech Executive Power Play

(16:20) Predictions as Speech Acts and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

(22:04) Artificial Intelligence as the Ultimate Bullshitter

(26:38) Effective Altruism, Utilitarianism, and the Dangers of Infinity

(35:10) Losing Connection to the Analog World and Critical Thinking

(42:16) Family Stories and Absorbing the Shock of Life

(46:56) Cultivating Bravery and Defying Tech’s Probabilistic Vision

(49:19) Practical Advice for Everyday Life and Preparation

Episode Website

www.palumbo-liu.com https://speakingoutofplace.com Bluesky @palumboliu.bsky.social Instagram @speaking_out_of_place


Hosted by Mia Funk, The Creative Process delves into the inner workings of the artistic mind. This podcast is built on intimate conversations with a remarkable range of voices-from authors and filmmakers to dancers, scientists, and activists. Each episode moves beyond the finished product to explore the life, discipline, and unique practice that shape a creator's work. You'll hear from recipients of the world's highest honors, including Oscars, Emmys, and Pulitzer Prizes, as they share unfiltered experiences and hard-won wisdom. The discussions naturally span a wide spectrum of human expression and concern, touching on books, film, theatre, and music, while also engaging with critical themes like social justice, climate change, and technology. What unites these conversations is a deep curiosity about how creativity functions not just in the studio, but as a force in culture and society. Listening feels like being a fly on the wall for a thoughtful, meandering talk where the focus is always on the person behind the craft. It’s a chance to understand how diverse thinkers navigate challenges, find inspiration, and contribute to the broader dialogue through their art and advocacy. This isn't about quick tips or superficial interviews; it's a sustained look at the motivations and methods that drive meaningful creative work across disciplines.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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