Artificial Intelligence and Generative Biology with Jim Thomas

Breaking Green

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What is artificial intelligence and how are some corporate interests seeking to hand over the development of genetically engineered organisms to it?
Join us as we unpack this question with Jim Thomas, an activist and researcher who challenges the common misconceptions about artificial intelligence. We delve into the historical context of the Luddites and connect their resistance to harmful industrialization with the emerging technological challenges we face today. Our discussion takes a critical angle on how AI intersects with indigenous rights, spotlighting the recent establishment of the CALI Fund at COP16 in Colombia, which aims to ensure fair compensation for the genetic information used by big tech companies.
The world of synthetic biology and genetic engineering is rapidly evolving, with technologies like CRISPR and DNA printing poised to reshape agriculture and ecosystems. But what ethical and ecological concerns arise from this transformation? We explore the commodification of biodiversity and the implications of merging these advancements with AI, leading to new bioeconomies. The financialization of nature, through initiatives like biodiversity credits, raises significant questions about sustainability, colonialism and the commercialization of genomic data. As we navigate these complex issues, we emphasize the urgent need for societal oversight to safeguard the common good.
This podcast is produced by Global Justice Ecology Project.
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Note: This episode's image was created with openart.ai. We found the result interesting, but do we want to use it to create new organisms and hand over our collective future to artificial intelligence?

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Chapters

1. Luddites, AI, and Generative Biology (00:00:00)

2. The Potential Impact of Generative Biology (00:12:37)

3. Global Biodiversity and Digital Biopiracy (00:22:42)

4. The mythology of Space Exploration (00:34:57)