Responsible Bytes
Responsible Bytes
Dr Zena Assaad
Welcome to the Responsible Bytes podcast, where we talk about all things safe and responsible technology. Technology is changing our world and the way we live in it. In this podcast we explore what those changes look like and what they mean for our present and our future. Listen in as I chat to people working in and around the technology sector, unpacking our increasingly complex and evolving digital world.  Responsible Bytes is created and hosted by Dr Zena Assaad. 
Navigating Power Dynamics in AI Regulation with Simon Chesterman
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with Simon Chesterman, a law professor at the National University of Singapore, about the shifting power dynamics in AI regulation. They discuss the challenges of regulating fast-moving technology, the perspectives of techno utopians, dystopians, and pragmatists, and the impact of organised users. The conversation also touches on the marketing agenda behind AI, lessons from China's regulatory approach, and the purpose of...
Mar 25
40 min
Trust by Design for Military AI with Branka Marijan
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, host Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with Branka Marijan, a senior researcher at Project Ploughshares, about the concept of 'trust by design' in military AI. They explore the importance of trust in technology, the interdependence of nations, and the role of middle powers in shaping regulations. The conversation also delves into the balance between technical and non-technical perspectives in technology discussions, the long-term impacts of AI in warfare...
Mar 4
41 min
AI Security and Ethics with Yasmin Afina
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, our host Dr Zena Assaad sits down with Dr Yasmin Afina to discuss the Roundtable for AI Security and Ethics (RAISE). The conversation explores the tension between ethics and national security, particularly in the context of implementing responsible AI. It also highlights the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises in operationalising ethical AI. More about our guest: 📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasminafina/ 🌐To learn ...
Dec 3, 2025
42 min
Beyond the Hype: Science Communication in an AI-Driven World with Alison Kershaw
In this episode, our host Dr Zena Assaad is joined by Alison Kershaw, an award winning science communicator. The conversation explores the challenges of science communication in an age of generative AI. Together they unpack the layered marketing behind artificial intelligence and why its promises resonate so widely. From claims about productivity and economic growth to the sweeping narratives that shape public perception, they explore how AI is being sold to us and why that matters. They also...
Nov 19, 2025
50 min
Responsible by design: An overview of the GC REAIM strategic guidance report with Sofia Romansky
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad interviews Sofia Romansky, an analyst at the Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS) and project coordinator for the Global Commission on Responsible AI in the Military Domain (GC REAIM). They discuss the complexities of integrating AI into military practices, the challenges of achieving consensus among diverse stakeholders, and the importance of human-centered design in AI development. The conversation also covers the GC REA...
Oct 29, 2025
43 min
The Evolution of Human Control in Warfare with Lena Trabucco
In this episode of the Responsible Bites podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with Dr. Lena Trabucco about the implications of AI and autonomous systems in military contexts. They explore the concept of human control in warfare, the differences between AI-enabled and traditional weapons systems, and the evolving role of operators. The conversation also touches on the challenges of academic writing, the impact of parenthood on career ambitions, and the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue.&nbsp...
Oct 15, 2025
47 min
Navigating the future of military AI with Jessica Dorsey
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with Jessica Dorsey, an Assistant Professor of International Law, about the recent CCW GGE on LAWS meeting held in Geneva. They discuss the complexities of defining lethal autonomous weapon systems, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the challenges posed by industry narratives and technical expertise in regulatory discussions. The conversation emphasises the need for responsible engagement with techno...
Sep 17, 2025
51 min
Dignity in Technology with Lorenn Ruster
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad chats with Lorenn Ruster, a responsible AI researcher, to explore the concept of dignity in technology. They discuss the importance of placing dignity at the center of AI systems, the intersection of dignity and human rights, and how entrepreneurship can honor dignity. Lorenn shares insights on the cultural perspectives of dignity, the challenges of defining it, and the need to move beyond checkbox culture in organisations. The...
Sep 3, 2025
43 min
Navigating the Tech Landscape with Tracey Spicer
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad and Tracey Spicer AM discuss the intersection of technology and society, focusing on the implications of tech oligarchs' influence on politics, the need for regulation in AI, and the challenges of gender bias in technology. They explore the responsibilities of social media platforms, the importance of critical thinking, and the necessity of guardrails for emerging technologies. The conversation also touches on the value of data...
Jul 30, 2025
43 min
The Paradox of Responsible Nuclear Behavior with Luba Zatsepina
In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with Dr. Luba Zatsepina about nuclear deterrence, responsible nuclear behavior, and the implications of artificial intelligence in the context of nuclear security. They explore the psychological aspects of deterrence, cultural differences in understanding nuclear policy, and the challenges posed by AI in decision-making processes. The conversation also touches on the current geopolitical climate, the evolution of nuclear...
Jul 9, 2025
44 min
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