The Human Interface Podcast How Can AI Be Deployed Ethically in the Defence Sector? With Professor Mariarosaria Taddeo and Sir Chris Deverell
Mar 24, 2025
49:50
Our experts discuss why AI adoption in defence is slow -- covering procurement, regulation, and tech hurdles -- and how conflicts like the Ukraine war shape its future. They also call for public debate on risks and ethics. In the seventh episode of the OII Podcast, our experts discuss topics such as:
- The factors behind AI’s slow penetration into global defence systems, including complex procurement, regulatory uncertainty, and challenges with interoperability.
- How current geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine War are shaping future AI development in defence with large amounts of new data.
- The need for a public debate on the acceptable levels of risk and ethical trade-offs of AI implementation in defence.
Professor Mariarosaria Taddeo is Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies at the Oxford Internet Institute, and DPhil Programme Director. Her research focuses on the ethics and governance of digital technologies, and ranges from designing governance measures to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to addressing the ethical challenges of using defence technology in defence.
- How current geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine War are shaping future AI development in defence with large amounts of new data.
- The need for a public debate on the acceptable levels of risk and ethical trade-offs of AI implementation in defence.
Professor Mariarosaria Taddeo is Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies at the Oxford Internet Institute, and DPhil Programme Director. Her research focuses on the ethics and governance of digital technologies, and ranges from designing governance measures to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to addressing the ethical challenges of using defence technology in defence.
Sir Chris Deverell is a retired four-star General who is now advising many startups in the Defence sector. Chris has also given evidence to the House of Lords Committee on AI and Weapon Systems.
Veena McCoole is Media and Communications Manager for the Oxford Internet Institute.
The OII Podcast looks at issues and developments in the digital world that matter to us all, and explores them through thought-provoking conversations with experts and practitioners.
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