The AI conversation we are not having

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Every conversation about artificial intelligence seems caught between apocalyptic doom and miraculous promises. But what is AI actually doing to human progress right now? In this episode of Beyond GDP: The Social Progress Podcast, Dr. Emrys Schoemaker offers a reality check on the current state of technology and human progress.

They break down what happens when the real impact of AI meets our everyday institutions. We aren't just talking about AI agents writing emails, we’re looking at what happens when public services, welfare allocations, and judicial systems delegate decisions to AI. When something goes wrong, who do you actually hold accountable?

Michael and Emrys also discuss:

• Why higher-income economies actually face significantly greater workforce automation exposure than developing nations.
• What happens to public trust and individual rights when state institutions automate welfare, healthcare, and policing decisions.
• The environmental needs, from massive power demands to projected water consumption that rivals the domestic needs of entire subcontinents.
• Tech monopolies vs how smaller, localized tech is changing the global governance game.

Listen or watch now!

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