25.10.24
What Happens Next?
Will AI Cut Us Off from Reality? | 94

In the Season 9 premiere of Monash University’s “What Happens Next?”, host Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests examine one of today’s most urgent topics: the impact of artificial intelligence on our perception of reality.

With AI technology evolving rapidly, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. From deepfakes that manipulate visual truth to AI companions offering mental health support, AI is reshaping how we interact with the world—and each other.

In this episode, experts explore the ethical, psychological and societal implications of these advancements. Professor Geoff Webb from Monash’s Faculty of Information Technology discusses how far AI capabilities have come in just a few years, while futurist Dr Ben Hamer warns of the dangers deepfakes pose to democracy and daily life. Dr Sue Keay, Chair of Robotics Australia, highlights the rise of humanoid robots and how they’re changing human-AI interaction, and Professor Joanna Batstone outlines the evolving relationship between humans and machines. Associate professors Ben Wellings and Stephanie Collins discuss the implications of emerging technology on politics and philosophy.

The episode also touches on the psychological impact of new technology, including the emerging phenomenon of “robotic nudging” and the value and drawbacks of AI companions. It’s an enlightening—and cautionary—preview of how these technologies could shape our future.

Listen now to hear how we can harness AI’s potential while navigating the ethical minefield it creates.

A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.

Learn more:
Are Our Machines a Little Too Human?
Are Humans About to Evolve?
When can I get my new household robot?

“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘Can We Create a Better Reality?’.

If you’re enjoying the show, don’t forget to subscribe and rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.

25.10.24 What Happens Next? Will AI Cut Us Off from Reality? | 94
In the Season 9 premiere of Monash University’s “What Happens Next?”, host Dr Susan Carland and her expert guests examine one of today’s most urgent topics: the impact of artificial intelligence on our perception of reality.
With AI technology evolving rapidly, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. From deepfakes that manipulate visual truth to AI companions offering mental health support, AI is reshaping how we interact with the world—and each other.
In this episode, experts explore the ethical, psychological and societal implications of these advancements. <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/geoff-webb?utm_campaign=RESCH_ITE&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Webb_profile_oct_australia">Professor Geoff Webb</a> from Monash’s Faculty of Information Technology discusses how far AI capabilities have come in just a few years, while futurist <a href="https://benhamer.space/">Dr Ben Hamer</a> warns of the dangers deepfakes pose to democracy and daily life. <a href="https://www.suekeay.com/">Dr Sue Keay</a>, Chair of Robotics Australia, highlights the rise of humanoid robots and how they’re changing human-AI interaction, and <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/joanna-batstone?utm_campaign=RESCH_BRA&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Batstone_profile_oct_australia">Professor Joanna Batstone</a> outlines the evolving relationship between humans and machines. Associate professors <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/ben-wellings?utm_campaign=RESCH_ART&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Wellings_profile_oct_australia">Ben Wellings</a> and <a href="https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/stephanie-collins?utm_campaign=RESCH_ART&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=Collins_profile_oct_australia">Stephanie Collins</a> discuss the implications of emerging technology on politics and philosophy.
The episode also touches on the psychological impact of new technology, including the emerging phenomenon of “robotic nudging” and the value and drawbacks of AI companions. It’s an enlightening—and cautionary—preview of how these technologies could shape our future.
Listen now to hear how we can harness AI’s potential while navigating the ethical minefield it creates.
<a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@what-happens-next/2024/10/25/1387122/reality?utm_campaign=WHNPD_BRA&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=S9E94_podcast_oct_australia">A full transcript of this episode is available on Monash Lens.</a>
Learn more:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@what-happens-next/2021/09/03/1383749/whnpodcast-bias-in-ai-s5-part1?utm_campaign=WHNPD_BRA&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=S5E44_profile_oct_australia">Are Our Machines a Little Too Human?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@what-happens-next/2023/09/22/1386162/transhumanism?utm_campaign=WHNPD_BRA&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=S8E86_profile_oct_australia">Are Humans About to Evolve?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@technology/2022/09/26/1385029/when-can-i-get-my-new-household-robot?utm_campaign=MLENS_ITE&amp;utm_source=omny_studio&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_content=HouseholdRobot_profile_oct_australia">When can I get my new household robot?</a></li>
</ul>
“What Happens Next?” will be back next week with part two of this series, ‘Can We Create a Better Reality?’.
If you’re enjoying the show, <a href="https://podfollow.com/1485676423">don’t forget to subscribe</a> and rate or review “What Happens Next?” to help listeners like yourself discover it.

The Handmaid’s Tale. Brave New World. Mad Max. Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course?

What Happens Next?, a podcast from Monash University, examines some of the biggest challenges facing our world and asks the experts, what will happen if we don't change? And what can we do to create a better future? Learn from leaders, listen to the people making a difference, and discover how you can help drive change.

The Handmaid&rsquo;s Tale. Brave New World. Mad Max. Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course?
What Happens Next?, a podcast from Monash University, examines some of the biggest challenges facing our world and asks the experts, what will happen if we don't change? And what can we do to create a better future? Learn from leaders, listen to the people making a difference, and discover how you can help drive change.

What Happens Next?, a podcast from Monash University, examines some of the biggest challenges facing our world and asks the experts, what will happen if we don't change? And what can we do to create a better future?

What Happens Next?

Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course? On Monash University's podcast, academic and commentator Dr Susan Carland steps through the sliding doors with global experts and thought leaders to find out what could happen if we don’t change – and what the world could look like if we do. To learn more, visit lens.monash.edu.

Fictional dystopias have never seemed so close to becoming reality. Is it too late to change our course? On Monash University's podcast, academic and commentator Dr Susan Carland steps through the sliding doors with global experts and thought leaders to find out what could happen if we don’t change – and what the world could look like if we do. To learn more, visit <a href="https://lens.monash.edu/@what-happens-next">lens.monash.edu.</a>

Learn how AI’s blurring the lines of reality and human interaction in the latest episode of Monash University’s “What Happens Next?” podcast with Dr Susan Carland.

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