A.I. in Warfare & Society w/ Peter W. Singer

Feb 4, 2026

Peter W. Singer, renowned political scientist and ethicist focused on 21st century warfare and tech. He discusses rapid AI shifts since 2023 and the economy versus job stability. He explores drone innovation in Ukraine, military competition with China and Taiwan risks. He also touches on AI’s effects on meaning, work, and a personal story about his son’s Cancer Kicks charity.

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ANECDOTE

Ukraine Proved Drones On The Battlefield

The Ukraine war ended academic debates on battlefield drone use by showing their effectiveness.
Singer recounts how scale, novel uses, and countermeasures rapidly accelerated drone warfare.

INSIGHT

The Back-and-Forth Of Drone Warfare

Drone warfare evolved via scale, creativity, and a technical back-and-forth of measures and counters.
Singer uses the fiber-optic 'spider web' image to show how jamming led to wired or autonomous workarounds.

INSIGHT

Ukraine's Drone Numbers Are Astounding

Ukraine is using orders of magnitude more drones than the U.S. currently fields.
Singer notes Ukraine's pace (~4 million) dwarfs U.S. production and raises strategic concerns.

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John and Brad welcome back renowned political scientist, ethicist and specialist on 21st century warfare, Peter Warren Singer.

They discuss advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for society. Singer reflects on the evolution of AI over the past two and a half years, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts it has had on various sectors, including politics and the economy. He emphasizes the dual nature of AI's influence, where it can drive economic growth while simultaneously raising concerns about job displacement and societal disruption. The conversation also touches on the military applications of AI, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, where innovative uses of drones have transformed warfare dynamics. As the discussion progresses, Singer delves into the broader cultural and social ramifications of AI, noting how it affects personal identity and community roles. He shares insights from a survey of experts regarding the anticipated effects of AI on different aspects of life, including healthcare and social interactions. The episode concludes with a personal story from Singer about his son's charitable initiative, Cancer Kicks, which aims to support cancer patients while funding research, showcasing a positive response to adversity in the face of technological change.

#warfare #artificialintelligence #cancer #dronewarfare #tech

Chapters:

00:00-02:00 Intro

02:01-10:18 What's changed in two and a half years in AI?

10:18-20:29 Ukraine/Russia drone warfare and tech advances

20:30-35:00 U.S. Rivalry w/ China...and Taiwan

35:00-47:59 Military Advancements and Societal Impacts

48:00-54:05 Cancer Kicks (Peter's Son's Non-Profit)

54:06-1:07:33 John and Brad's Take-Aways

Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IduWunxhhDfZd8vYOGNab?si=a9c8901c0b5b43dc Apple Podast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/posteverything/id1676174977

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/_posteverything Resources: Peter Singer books: https://pwsinger.com/books Cancerkicks: https://www.cancerkicks.org/ Cancerkicks store: https://store.cancerkicks.org/ Corporate Catalog (for groups buying with their own logo on the items): https://www.cancerkicks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CorporateCatalog.pdf