Responsible Bytes

In this episode, Dr. Zena Assaad interviews Dr. Klaudia Klonowska about the legality of targeting data centers in armed conflict, especially in the context of recent Middle East conflicts. They explore international law, dual-use technology, and the implications for civilian harm and military strategy.The contents of this episode are based on an article written for Just Security by our guest Klaudia Klonowska in collaboration with Michael Schmitt. You can read their article here: https://www.justsecurity.org/133685/iranian-attacks-amazon-data-centers-legal-analysis/ More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klonowska/🌐Website: https://www.sciencespo.fr/ecole-droit/en/directory/klonowska-klaudia/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast 

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 regulation in addressing market inefficiencies and social values.Links from this episode:🔗Simon's article in Rest of World: https://restofworld.org/2026/ai-government-regulation-tech-giants/🔗Simon's book on AI regulation: https://www.amazon.com.au/We-Robots-Regulating-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1009332074🔗The Social Control of Technology by David Collingridge: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/social-control-of-technology-by-david-collingridge-new-york-st-martins-press-1980-pp-i-200-2250/648B7ECDDB00120BCAB13F17E4076C08🔗AI Needs you by Verity Harding: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691244877/ai-needs-you?srsltid=AfmBOoqO3y7-aL7y0jcmh5hPFM1VNNdYc-zMevRgJHf4QpD3WJMfZgclMore about our guest:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simon_chesterman/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonchesterman/🌐Website: https://simonchesterman.com/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

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, and the significance of confidence-building measures in fostering trust among nations. Branka emphasises the need for educated skepticism towards technology and the importance of understanding the broader context in which it is used.More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brankamarijan/🌐Website: https://ploughshares.ca/branka-marijan/🔗Branka's policy brief on trust by design for military AI: https://www.cigionline.org/publications/trust-by-design-ai-in-military-applications/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

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 more about RAISE: https://unidir.org/raise/🌐RAISE policy brief: https://unidir.org/publication/governance-of-artificial-intelligence-in-the-military-domain-a-multi-stakeholder-perspective-on-priority-areas/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

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 delve into the limitations of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, in science communication and explain why critical thinking is so important.More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonkershaw/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

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 REAIM strategic guidance report, which outlines recommendations for responsible AI use in military contexts, and emphasises the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and reflection in technology engagement. Resources mentioned in this episode:Link to the GC REAIM strategic guidance report: https://hcss.nl/report/gc-reaim-responsible-by-design-strategic-guidance-report/Link to the IEEE SA white paper: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10707139More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-romansky/🌐Website: https://hcss.nl/expert/sofia-romansky/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

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. Link to Lena's three part article series on human control: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/ils/More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-trabucco-8075a340/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

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 technology, particularly in military contexts, and the importance of asking questions across disciplines to foster better understanding and collaboration.  More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadorsey/🌐Website: https://www.uu.nl/staff/JLDorseyMore about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast 

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 conversation emphasises the importance of reflective practice in fostering responsibility in technology development and usage. More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorennruster/🌐Website: https://lorennruster.com/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast 

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, the generational divide in technology engagement, and the ongoing struggle for equity and fairness in the tech industry.  More about our guest:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traceyspicer/?hl=en📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyspicer/🔵BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/traceyspicer.bsky.social🌐Website: https://traceyspicer.com.au/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast 

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 deterrence, and the importance of transparency and critical engagement with technology.More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luba-zatsepina-phd-4773b795/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad interviews Dr. Damian Copeland, director at Article 36 Legal, discussing the intersection of military technology, legal compliance, and the implications of AI and autonomy in warfare. They explore the legal review process for weapons systems, the challenges posed by AI, and the importance of embedding legal considerations into the design of military technologies. The conversation also touches on accountability, the role of human factors, and the upcoming launch of the Lawful by Design initiative aimed at ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law from the outset of technology development. Relevant links from this episode: 🔗🔗Link to the Lawful by Design online event scheduled for 12th June: https://events.humanitix.com/launch-event-lawful-by-design 🔗🔗Australia's guide to legal reviews: https://files.apils.org/au/240410_adf_guide_to_art_36_legal_review.pdf  More about our guest:🌐Website: http://www.article36legal.com/ 📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-damian-copeland-490252111/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast 

In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with Nikki Chowdhury about the intersection of fashion and technology, particularly focusing on the role of AI in creativity and the implications of homogenisation in design. They discuss the impact of algorithms on individuality, the changing landscape of modeling due to AI, and the influence of social media on personal identity. The conversation emphasises the need for education around technology and the importance of navigating the 'walled garden' of social media, ultimately advocating for decentralised platforms as a more egalitarian alternative.  More about our guest:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkidury/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkichowdhury/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast 

In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with Dr. Mia Hammond-Errey about the intricate relationship between technology and national security. They explore how technology impacts national security, the shifting political support of tech companies, the role of AI in shaping narratives, and the challenges of information overload. The conversation also delves into the geopolitical tensions surrounding technology, the balance between regulation and innovation, and the importance of human connection in diplomacy. More about our guest:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmiahhammonderrey/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miahhe/🔵BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:npazqdgkprlcmvfetsbprlzp🌐Website: https://miahhe.com/aboutMore about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/Watch or listen to more episodes:🍎 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/responsible-bytes/id1800177424🔊 https://open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU6OY1LBLX1TsuAfB Or find us anywhere else you get your podcasts!Follow us online:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/responsiblebytespodcast/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/responsible-bytes-podcast/🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/responsible-bytes-podcast

In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad engages with technology and global risks expert Ariel Conn to explore the complex relationship between technological progress and human well-being. They challenge the narrative that technological advancement is inherently positive, contrasting it with the hunter-gatherer lifestyle as a potential lens for understanding stress and mental health in modern society.The conversation covers the balance between innovation and caution, with both experts reflecting on how modern technology impacts our lives. They also delve into broader topics such as beliefs about extraterrestrial life, the historical shift from matrifocal to patriarchal societies, and how societal values shape our perceptions of various professions. The discussion touches on the complexities of human decision-making, the influence of consumerism, and the need to understand our past in order to build a better future. The blog post Ariel wrote, that was the focus of this episode: https://whatintheworldistheproblem.substack.com/p/prehistoric-life-versus-technology?source=queue The book Ariel mentions during this episode: Determined: A science of life without free will https://bookshop.org/p/books/determined-a-science-of-life-without-free-will-robert-m-sapolsky/19662545?ean=9780525560999&next=tMore about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aconn23/🌐Website: https://www.thehealingpathways.org/More about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/ 

In this episode of the Responsible Bytes podcast, Dr. Zena Assaad sits down with Professor Nehal Bhuta to explore the legal implications of autonomous and AI-enabled weapon systems. They dive deep into the principles of distinction and proportionality in warfare, examining how AI in warfare challenges traditional international humanitarian law. The conversation highlights the risks associated with AI in target identification, as well as the fragility of international legal systems in addressing these emerging technologies.As autonomous weapons and AI military technology continue to evolve, Dr. Assaad and Professor Bhuta discuss the legal challenges of ensuring accountability and responsibility in their design and use. They stress the importance of embedding legality in technology design to ensure responsible engagement with military technology in the future.Join us as we navigate the complex intersection of AI, international law, and military ethics, shedding light on the crucial role of legal frameworks in shaping the future of AI weapon systems.More about our guest:📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehal-bhuta-9b399b239/🌐Website: https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/people/professor-nehal-bhutaMore about our host:📸Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zena_assaad/📘LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-zena-assaad/🔵BlueSky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/zenaassaad.bsky.social🌐Website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/

In this episode of Responsible Bytes, host Dr. Zena Assaad speaks with voice actor Rhiannon Moushall about the evolving landscape of voice acting in the age of AI. They discuss the impact of AI on the industry, the importance of the human element in voice acting, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content. Rhiannon shares her experiences and insights on cultural representation, consent, and the challenges posed by AI cloning. You can learn more about Rhiannon's work on her website: https://www.rhiannonmoushall.com/You can learn more about our host Dr Zena Assaad on her website: https://www.zenaassaad.com/