Ep. 5 The Ethics of AI Welfare: Consciousness, Agency, and Moral Status | Prof. Jeff Sebo (NYU)

Is it possible for artificial intelligence to experience happiness or suffering? In this episode, host Maryna Nekrasova sits down with Professor Jeff Sebo, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Director of the Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy at NYU. Ahead of his lecture at McGill University’s Philosophy, Technology, and Policy Lab, Professor Sebo discusses why we must take AI welfare seriously in the near future. Together, they untangle complex philosophical boundaries, exploring the distinctions between welfare subjects and moral patients, the routes of consciousness and robust agency, and the looming tensions between AI safety and AI welfare.📘 Featured Book: The Moral Circle (2025) by Professor Jeff Sebo.

💡 About the McGill PTP Lab The McGill Philosophy, Technology & Policy (PTP) Lab brings the tools of philosophy to bear on pressing questions in technology ethics and policy. We investigate the interconnections between AI, social media, gaming platforms, and other emerging technologies, examining how they collectively shape human experience. Our mission is to articulate and help realize the good digital life and just digital society.

Subscribe for more discussions on technology, ethics, and policy!

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Ep 4. “Indgenizing Technology”. Read the full article on Substack:

“Indgenizing Technology”

Blog: The Normative Network: https://substack.com/@thenormativenetwork

Is there an inherent conflict between Indigenous culture and technological progress?

In this episode of the PTP Podcast, Alex sits down with Robbie Dillon to discuss his recent article on the Normative Network Substack. Robbie unpacks the "Double Bind": the catch-22 where Indigenous people are viewed as "unauthentic" if they adopt modern technology, but "primitive" if they don't.

We explore: The Erasure of History: Indigenous inventions like the syringe, aspirin, and the baby bottle. Metaphysical Worldviews: Comparing the "Dominion" model of the West with the "Relational" model of Sky Woman.

Epistemic Humility: Why approaching the "Great Mystery" leads to more sustainable technology. The Oka Crisis (1990): The significance of Robbie’s shirt and the ongoing fight against land expropriation.

💡 About the McGill PTP Lab The McGill Philosophy, Technology & Policy (PTP) Lab brings the tools of philosophy to bear on pressing questions in technology ethics and policy. We investigate the interconnections between AI, social media, gaming platforms, and other emerging technologies, examining how they collectively shape human experience. Our mission is to articulate and help realize the good digital life and just digital society.

Subscribe for more discussions on technology, ethics, and policy!

🌐 Connect With Us: Website: https://www.mcgillptplab.com

X / Twitter: https://x.com/mcgill_ptp_lab

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcgill.ptp.lab/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcgill-philosophy-technology-and-policy-lab/

YouYube: https://www.youtube.com/@McGillPTPLab

#TechEthics #AIEthics #PhilosophyOfTech #DigitalPolicy #McGillUniversity #TechGovernance #HumanLabor

Ep 3. "A theory of slowrunning".

Read the full article on Substack: "A theory of slowrunning"

Blog: The Normative Network: https://substack.com/@thenormativenetwork

What’s the difference between an "idler" and a "slow runner"? Alex Carty joins the podcast to discuss his new paper on the metaphysics of video games. We explore how changing our attitude toward game goals creates entirely new activities within the same digital framework.

💡 About the McGill PTP Lab The McGill Philosophy, Technology & Policy (PTP) Lab brings the tools of philosophy to bear on pressing questions in technology ethics and policy. We investigate the interconnections between AI, social media, gaming platforms, and other emerging technologies, examining how they collectively shape human experience. Our mission is to articulate and help realize the good digital life and just digital society.

Subscribe for more discussions on technology, ethics, and policy!

🌐 Connect With Us: Website: https://www.mcgillptplab.com

X / Twitter: https://x.com/mcgill_ptp_lab

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcgill.ptp.lab/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcgill-philosophy-technology-and-policy-lab/

YouYube: https://www.youtube.com/@McGillPTPLab

#TechEthics #AIEthics #PhilosophyOfTech #DigitalPolicy #McGillUniversity #TechGovernance #HumanLabor