The Ethical Technologist
The Ethical Technologist
Ben Leiner
A podcast for people who want to build technology compatible with a thriving society. For more conversations, insights, and tips, sign up for The Ethical Technologist's free newsletter at ethicaltechnologist.substack.com.
Ed Freeman on Stakeholder Capitalism
Ben sits down with Ed Freeman, Olsson Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and the intellectual father of what we now know as "Stakeholder Capitalism." Ben and Ed discuss Stakeholder Theory forty years after its birth, its application in the technology industry, and the obligations of various stakeholders, including corporate managers and government. Ed's faculty page Debate between Whole Foods CEO John Mackey and University of Chicago Professor Milton Friedman, Reason Magazine, 2005
May 21, 2024
1 hr
The State of Misinformation in 2024
Ben sits down with Danielle Whelton, an expert and consultant who has worked with the major social media platforms on issues related to mis and disinformation, election integrity, and civic discourse. They discuss the current state of mis and disinformation, AI's impact on the media ecosystem, and Danielle's predictions for 2024.
Apr 24, 2024
47 min
We Still Need Artists
Ben sits down with Darden Assistant Professor Anthony Palomba to discuss the role of artists and art in a world of generative AI - and why our society still needs human creativity.
Dec 27, 2023
44 min
Generative AI and Traditional Media
Nate Scott, Publisher of USA Today Sports, discusses the current media landscape and the potential short and long-term impacts of generative AI on legacy publishers.
Oct 31, 2023
45 min
Tech and Psychotherapy
Ben Sollenberger, a operations manager at Path Mental Health and a practicing therapist, sits down with Ben to discuss the impact of tech in the mental heath space -- how it broadens access, presents ethical dilemmas for health care companies, and shows up in sessions with patients. Mentioned in this Episode: Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention and How to Think Deeply Again, Johann Hari Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products, Nir Eyal
Oct 17, 2023
42 min
AI Ethics on the Front Line
Zane Homsi, an up-and-coming product manager at LinkedIn, sits down with Ben to discuss how LinkedIn considers ethics, particularly with regard to generative AI, and how he incorporates ethical thinking into how he deploys AI within the products he builds. Mentioned in this Episode: LinkedIn's Responsible AI Principles The Alignment Problem, Brian Christian The Data Nutrition Project
Aug 16, 2023
41 min
Introducing "The Ethical Technologist"
Introducing "The Ethical Technologist," a podcast about how we should build technology to support a healthy society.
Aug 15, 2023
44 sec