Best Alexander Hastings Podcasts (2025)

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#20 Frances Lorenz on the emotional side of AI x-risk, being a woman in a male-dominated online space & more 51:42

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4M ago51:42

51:42

In this episode, I chatted with Frances Lorenz, events associate at the Centre for Effective Altruism. We covered our respective paths into AI safety, the emotional impact of learning about x-risk, what it's like to be female in a male-dominated community and more! Follow Frances on Twitter Subscribe to her Substack Apply for EAG London!…

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#19 Gabe Alfour on why AI alignment is hard, what it would mean to solve it & what ordinary people can do about existential risk 1:36:40

6M ago1:36:40

1:36:40

Gabe Alfour is a co-founder of Conjecture and an advisor to Control AI, both organisations working to reduce risks from advanced AI. We discussed why AI poses an existential risk to humanity, what makes this problem very hard to solve, why Gabe believes we need to prevent the development of superintelligence for at least the next two decades, and m…

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#18 Nathan Labenz on reinforcement learning, reasoning models, emergent misalignment & more 1:46:17

7M ago1:46:17

1:46:17

A lot has happened in AI since the last time I spoke to Nathan Labenz of The Cognitive Revolution, so I invited him back on for a whistlestop tour of the most important developments we've seen over the last year! We covered reasoning models, DeepSeek, the many spooky alignment failures we've observed in the last few months & much more! Follow Natha…

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#17 Fun Theory with Noah Topper 1:25:53

11M ago1:25:53

1:25:53

The Fun Theory Sequence is one of Eliezer Yudkowsky's cheerier works, and considers questions such as 'how much fun is there in the universe?', 'are we having fun yet' and 'could we be having more fun?'. It tries to answer some of the philosophical quandries we might encounter when envisioning a post-AGI utopia. In this episode, I discussed Fun The…

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#16 John Sherman on the psychological experience of learning about x-risk and AI safety messaging strategies 52:49

11M ago52:49

52:49

John Sherman is the host of the For Humanity Podcast, which (much like this one!) aims to explain AI safety to a non-expert audience. In this episode, we compared our experiences of encountering AI safety arguments for the first time and the psychological experience of being aware of x-risk, as well as what messaging strategies the AI safety commun…

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#15 Should we be engaging in civil disobedience to protest AGI development? 1:18:20

11M ago1:18:20

1:18:20

StopAI are a non-profit aiming to achieve a permanent ban on the development of AGI through peaceful protest. In this episode, I chatted with three of founders of StopAI – Remmelt Ellen, Sam Kirchner and Guido Reichstadter. We talked about what protest tactics StopAI have been using, and why they want a stop (and not just a pause!) in the developme…

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#14 Buck Shlegeris on AI control 49:19

11M ago49:19

49:19

Buck Shlegeris is the CEO of Redwood Research, a non-profit working to reduce risks from powerful AI. We discussed Redwood's research into AI control, why we shouldn't feel confident that witnessing an AI escape attempt would persuade labs to undeploy dangerous models, lessons from the vetoing of SB1047, the importance of lab security and more. Pos…

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#13 Aaron Bergman and Max Alexander debate the Very Repugnant Conclusion 1:53:51

1y ago1:53:51

1:53:51

In this episode, Aaron Bergman and Max Alexander are back to battle it out for the philosophy crown, while I (attempt to) moderate. They discuss the Very Repugnant Conclusion, which, in the words of Claude, "posits that a world with a vast population living lives barely worth living could be considered ethically inferior to a world with an even lar…

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#12 Deger Turan on all things forecasting 54:21

1y ago54:21

54:21

Deger Turan is the CEO of forecasting platform Metaculus and president of the AI Objectives Institute. In this episode, we discuss how forecasting can be used to help humanity coordinate around reducing existential risks, Deger's advice for aspiring forecasters, the future of using AI for forecasting and more! Enter Metaculus's Q3 AI Forecasting Be…

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#11 Katja Grace on the AI Impacts survey, the case for slowing down AI & arguments for and against x-risk 1:16:34

1+ y ago1:16:34

1:16:34

Katja Grace is the co-founder of AI Impacts, a non-profit focused on answering key questions about the future trajectory of AI development, which is best known for conducting the world's largest survey of machine learning researchers. We talked about the most interesting results from the survey, Katja's views on whether we should slow down AI progr…

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#10 Nathan Labenz on the current AI state-of-the-art, the Red Team in Public project, reasons for hope on AI x-risk & more 1:54:22

1+ y ago1:54:22

1:54:22

Nathan Labenz is the founder of AI content-generation platform Waymark and host of The Cognitive Revolution Podcast, who now works full-time on tracking and analysing developments in AI. We chatted about where we currently stand with state-of-art AI capabilities, whether we should be advocating for a pause on scaling frontier models, Nathan's Red T…

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#9 Sneha Revanur on founding Encode Justice, California's SB-1047, and youth advocacy for safe AI development 49:50

1+ y ago49:50

49:50

Sheha Revanur is a the founder of Encode Justice, an international, youth-led network campaigning for the responsible development of AI, which was among the sponsors of California's proposed AI bill SB-1047. We chatted about why Sheha founded Encode Justice, the importance of youth advocacy in AI safety, and what the movement can learn from climate…

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#8 Nathan Young on forecasting, AI risk & regulation, and how not to lose your mind on Twitter 1:28:07

1+ y ago1:28:07

1:28:07

Nathan Young is a forecaster, software developer and tentative AI optimist. In this episode, we discussed how Nathan approaches forecasting, why his p(doom) is 2-9%, whether we should pause AGI research, and more! Follow Nathan on Twitter: Nathan 🔍 (@NathanpmYoung) / X (twitter.com) Nathan's substack: Predictive Text | Nathan Young | Substack My Tw…

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#7 Noah Topper helps me understand Eliezer Yudkowsky 1:28:31

1+ y ago1:28:31

1:28:31

A while back, my self-confessed inability to fully comprehend the writings of Eliezer Yudkowsky elicited the sympathy of the author himself. In an attempt to more completely understand why AI is going to kill us all, I enlisted the help of Noah Topper, recent Computer Science Masters graduate and long-time EY fan, to help me break down A List of Le…

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#6 Holly Elmore on pausing AI, protesting, warning shots & more 1:48:01

1+ y ago1:48:01

1:48:01

Holly Elmore is an AI pause advocate and Executive Director of PauseAI US. We chatted about the case for pausing AI, her experience of organising protests against frontier AGI research, the danger of relying on warning shots, the prospect of techno-utopia, possible risks of pausing and more! Follow Holly on Twitter: Holly ⏸️ Elmore (@ilex_ulmus) / …

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#5 Joep Meindertsma on founding PauseAI and strategies for communicating AI risk 46:43

1+ y ago46:43

46:43

In this episode, I talked with Joep Meindertsma, founder of PauseAI, about how he discovered AI safety, the emotional experience of internalising existential risks, strategies for communicating AI risk, his assessment of recent AI policy developments and more! Find out more about PauseAI at www.pauseai.info…

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#4 Émile P. Torres and I discuss where we agree and disagree on AI safety 1:47:21

1+ y ago1:47:21

1:47:21

Émile P. Torres is a philosopher and historian known for their research on the history and ethical implications of human extinction. They are also an outspoken critic of Effective Altruism, longtermism and the AI safety movement. In this episode, we chatted about why Émile opposes both the 'doomer' and accelerationist factions, and identified some …

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#3 Darren McKee on explaining AI risk to the public & navigating the AI safety debate 51:40

1+ y ago51:40

51:40

Darren McKee is an author, speaker and policy advisor who has recently penned a beginner-friendly introduction to AI Safety named Uncontrollable: The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World. We chatted about the best arguments for worrying about AI, responses to common objections, how to navigate the online AI safety s…

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Ep: 22 - A New Year 9:01

1+ y ago9:01

9:01

A new year and a new me. I've decided to renew this podcast and continue on my journey with you. Please enjoy this intriduction to an older more experienced me.By A.L. Hastings

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#1 Aaron Bergman and Max Alexander argue about moral realism while I smile and nod 1:08:17

2y ago1:08:17

1:08:17

In this inaugural episode of Consistently Candid, Aaron Bergman and Max Alexander each try to convince me of their position on moral realism, and I settle the issue once and for all. Featuring occasional interjections from the sat-nav in the Uber Aaron was taking at the time.My Twitter: https://twitter.com/littIeramblings Max's Twitter: https://twi…

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Ep: 21 - Interview with Maria Konner 20:36

4y ago20:36

20:36

The host interviews Maria Konner, a transgender woman and author of the new book, Girl Shock! I dressed as a girl for Halloween but then she took over my life!By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:20 - Questions Answered 12:48

4y ago12:48

12:48

The host answers a few questions pulled from various online forums about transitioning.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:19 - Trans Ban Repeal 9:30

4+ y ago9:30

9:30

The host talks about the recent repeal of the trans military ban and how that effects himself as an officer and others looking to join.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:18 - 2020 11:34

4+ y ago11:34

11:34

After a quiet yet surprisingly busy year the host reflects on some of the most important topics of the year 2020. Special guest Lee Mokobe reciting their poem Surviving Blackness.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:17 - Transgender Wins! 21:23

5+ y ago21:23

21:23

The host talks about the recent victory in the military trans ban with the waiver approving a transgender officer to be able to come out at work. The host then talks about how to celebrate Pride 2020 in a COVID world.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:16 - Let's Catch Up 20:14

5+ y ago20:14

20:14

The host rolls up the last four months away from the hosting gig. Talks about COVID and life during quarantine.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:15 - 2019 Wrap Up 18:47

6y ago18:47

18:47

The host talks about how to start your own podcast in the new year and summarizes his experiences in 2019. Happy New Year!By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:14 - Season 2 Premiere 17:14

6y ago17:14

17:14

The host catches up the audience on what has happened in his life during the season break. Season 2 starts in a new location with exciting new happenings.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:13 - Summertime Sadness 24:56

6y ago24:56

24:56

The host catches up on last months activities and confronts the end of his relationship with his boyfriend. This episode takes a look into insecurities and a need for hope in the world of dating.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:12 - Summertime Gladness 19:01

6y ago19:01

19:01

The host talks about his recent vacation to Hilton Head, SC where he soaked up the sun and had some good family fun!By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:11 - PTWC 2019 20:07

6y ago20:07

20:07

The host talks about his time at the Philly Trans Wellness Conference.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:10 - Relationship Drama 19:59

6y ago19:59

19:59

The host talks about how his relationships have changed over time and the struggles of dating as a transgender person in today's society.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:9 - Operation Undercover 17:08

6y ago17:08

17:08

The host talks about his experience working in a new environment where no one new he was transgender. The remarkable shift from out to stealth played a role in learning the sociological path of a cis white male.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:8 - Top Surgery Wonders 33:23

6+ y ago33:23

33:23

The host talks through the process of getting keyhole top surgery from Dr. Elliot Jacobs in NYC. From preparations to recovery, the personal story of the host is shared for all who are considering this procedure.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:7 - Bathroom Blunders 24:20

6+ y ago24:20

24:20

The host talks about his recent adventure to the deep south for a training exercise and the struggles in meeting the transgender policy requirements of billeting and bathroom use when you present as male.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:6 - New Problems 20:53

6+ y ago20:53

20:53

The host talks about the challenges of being transgender in a profession where you are still expected to maintain birth gender standards until fully transitioned.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:5 - New Experiences 25:14

6+ y ago25:14

25:14

The host talks about his journey to NYC for his top surgery consultation, and new experiences related to coming out as transgender.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:4 - Next Steps 23:00

6+ y ago23:00

23:00

The host talks about his next step in transition and the real world responses from people as they learn to see the new him.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:3 - Trans Military 24:32

6+ y ago24:32

24:32

Listen as the host talks about what its like to be transgender in the military after the SCOTUS ruling.By A.L.Hastings

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Ep.2 - Becoming Alexander 20:44

6+ y ago20:44

20:44

The host talks about his journey changing his name to reflect his gender. This episode talks about the legal name change process and what life changes occur when you have a new name.By A.L. Hastings

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Ep:1 - Pilot 33:05

6+ y ago33:05

33:05

Listen to the story of a young transgender man as he discusses the beginnings of his transition.By A.L. Hastings