Subvolts take AI predictions shape our world; this episode questions if we're too reliant on them. Apr 22, 2026 - Developers
- Understand the societal implications and ethical questions surrounding the predictive models you build.
- Business
- Learn how AI predictions influence decision-making in critical business areas and the potential for misuse.
- Everyday users
- Gain insight into how AI predictions affect your life, from job prospects to loan applications, and how to critically assess them.
Features an academic expert on prediction discussing the societal impact of AI forecasting, offering a critical viewpoint.
Are We Too Obsessed With AI Predictions? — With Carissa Véliz
Audio streams from Alex Kantrowitz. Your place is remembered on this device.
From Subvolts
Summary and analysis by Subvolts editorial, AI-assisted.
Carissa Véliz, Oxford philosopher and author of "Prophecy," joins the Big Technology Podcast to question society's reliance on AI predictions. The episode explores how predictive algorithms influence critical decisions in jobs, justice, and war, debating whether forecasts serve as knowledge or power tools. It also touches on privacy, protest, and humor's role in a prediction-focused world.
This episode discusses how AI systems make predictions about things like jobs or loans. It asks if we trust these predictions too much and if they are used to control us rather than just inform us. Understanding this helps you see how AI influences important decisions.
This episode is for anyone concerned about the growing influence of AI on societal decisions. Véliz, an expert on prediction, offers a critical perspective on how AI forecasts shape everything from loan applications to military strategy. Listeners will learn to question the authority of predictive systems and understand the power dynamics involved. It's relevant as frontier labs like Google Gemini and OpenAI develop increasingly sophisticated predictive models, impacting various sectors.
- HostAlex Kantrowitz
- GuestCarissa Vélizauthor, Oxford
- Guest: Carissa Véliz, Oxford philosopher and author
- Show: Big Technology Podcast
- Length: 55 minutes
- Book Title: Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future
Carissa Véliz is an Oxford philosopher and the author of Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future, from Ancient Oracles to AI. Véliz joins Big Technology Podcast to discuss whether society has become dangerously naive about prediction as AI systems shape decisions around jobs, loans, justice, surveillance, and war. Tune in to hear a debate about predictive algorithms, generative AI, prediction markets, and whether forecasts are actually tools of knowledge or instruments of power. We also cover privacy, policing, protest anonymity, flood prediction, and why humor might be one of the best defenses against a prediction-obsessed world.
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More on Carissa: https://www.chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/carissa-veliz-2/
Find the book: https://www.amazon.com/Prophecy-Prediction-Future-Ancient-Oracles/dp/0385550979
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- predictive algorithms
- Carissa Véliz
- computer programs that guess future events
- generative AI
- Carissa Véliz
- AI that can create new content like text or images
- prediction markets
- Carissa Véliz
- platforms where people bet on future outcomes
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Questions people ask
- What is Carissa Véliz's book about?
- Her book "Prophecy: Prediction, Power, and the Fight for the Future" explores ancient oracles to AI and the societal impact of prediction.
- What are the main topics discussed regarding AI predictions?
- The episode debates predictive algorithms, generative AI, and prediction markets, questioning if forecasts are tools of knowledge or power.
Page generated Oct 19, 2026. Summaries are Subvolts' own; the audio, artwork and notes belong to Alex Kantrowitz.