The Human Interface Podcast

The Human Interface Podcast (Oxford Internet Institute)
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The Human Interface Podcast by the Oxford Internet Institute discusses how developments in technology impact our work and life, as told through the research and insights of a brilliant roster of experts and industry practitioners from the University and beyond.  In each episode, experts from the Oxford Internet Institute and special guests come together to discuss digital world issues that matter to society. The Human Interface Podcast is hosted by Veena McCoole. The OII is a multi-disciplinary research and teaching department of the University of Oxford, dedicated to the social science of the Internet.

  1. 2d ago

    Celebrating 25 Years: OII Alumni on AI, Careers and Change

    To mark 25 years of the Oxford Internet Institute, this special episode of The Human Interface brings together alumni from across the decades to reflect on how their time in Oxford influenced their careers and thinking about technology and society. From the early days of dial-up internet to the rise of large language models, they share how their work continues to reflect the OII's interdisciplinary approach, and wish the OII a very happy 25th anniversary.

    Celebrating 25 Years: OII Alumni on AI, Careers and Change

  2. Jul 23

    The Skills That Win in an AI Job Market

    AI is reshaping every sector of the economy, but what does this mean for today’s workforce and the skills they need to bring into their careers? In this episode, we explore what actually matters in today’s job market: which AI skills matter, how to think about acquiring them, and where institutions and governments can lead the charge in shaping how AI fits into the future of work. Fabian Stephany, researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute and author of the forthcoming book SKILLED, argues that today's biggest labour market can be understood through the lens of skills. The gap between the skills people have and the ones they need play out in wages, employment, and economic mobility. Prateek Sibal, who specialises in digital transformation in the communication and information sector at UNESCO, shares what this looks like inside public institutions. Governments are under growing pressure to adopt AI, but civil servants need to understand governance, service design, and how to maintain public trust. Together, they examine what individuals, employers, and governments need to do to close the AI skills gap, and why getting this right matters for societies as much as for careers.

  3. Apr 23

    Too few choices, too much power?

    This episode of the OII's The Human Interface podcast examines what happens to consumers, businesses, and innovation when a handful of tech giants come to dominate the digital markets we all rely on every day, and how regulators are working to keep that power in check. Professor Greg Taylor, an economist specialising in digital markets and competition at the OII, is joined by Tania Van Den Brande, Senior Director of Digital Markets at the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. They discuss why digital markets are particularly prone to entrenched market power, what the CMA's new regulatory tools under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act mean in practice, and where the frontier of competition policy is heading next, from AI to global regulatory coordination.

    Too few choices, too much power?

  4. Mar 26

    The Invisible Human Workforce Behind AI

    This episode pulls back the curtain on the often-invisible human workforce powering AI, from content moderation to data labelling, and explores why global standards in AI supply chains must be enforced to protect worker safety.  With new EU regulations like the AI Act on the horizon, the researchers share Fairwork’s response to readying companies to face this scrutiny: a research-backed audit and certification process designed to help organizations ethically build their AI.

    The Invisible Human Workforce Behind AI

  5. Feb 27

    What is the role of humans in the age of AI?

    This episode explores the evolving role of human oversight of AI systems in the workplace and beyond. With so much of our professional lives being permeated by AI-enabled tools, where do checks and balances come in, and what might they look like?  The OII’s Dr Johann Laux is joined by two members of Accenture’s Responsible AI team, Ali Shah and Maxine Setiawan, to discuss the commercial and regulatory considerations around human management of AI systems, and how we ensure new iterations of this technology remain ethical and accountable.

    What is the role of humans in the age of AI?

  6. Jan 22

    How streaming affects musicians, and what they can do about it

    This episode of The Human Interface from the Oxford Internet Institute explores how streaming platforms impact musicians today. While it's never been easier for musicians to release music, the economics of the music industry and online streaming mean earning a living has become even more challenging. Researchers Dr Robert Prey (OII) and Dr Seonok Lee (University of Groningen) break down how the 'pro rata' model of streaming platforms dilutes payments to musicians, and draw on findings from a survey of 1,200 musicians across five countries to reveal cultural and economic differences in what it means to be a musician today.

  7. 04/24/2025

    The science behind successful start-ups, with Fabian Braesemann and Paul McCarthy

    The impact of founder personalities on startup success, how a predictive model outperforms industry standards to predict company success, and what factors can help us predict which startups will succeed. In the eighth episode of the OII Podcast, our experts discuss topics such as: * How founder personalities and early company characteristics significantly predict startup success * How traits of successful founders differ from traditional employees * Research implications for the broader startup ecosystem, including venture capital investors, potential buyers, and startup incubators Dr Fabian Braesemann is a Departmental Research Lecturer in AI & Work at the OII. His research focuses on the Science of Success. He uses data science methods to quantify the determinants of success in different fields of work. Professor Paul X McCarthy is a CEO, computational social science research leader and author. He founded the League of Scholars, and is also Adjunct Professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, as well as an Industry Fellow at The UTS Data Science Institute and an Honorary Fellow at Western Sydney University. 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. To keep up with forthcoming episodes, follow the OII on social media where new episodes will be announced. Our social media links can be found on our website: https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/ (see end of page).

  8. 03/24/2025

    How Can AI Be Deployed Ethically in the Defence Sector? With Professor Mariarosaria Taddeo and Sir Chris Deverell

    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. 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. To keep up with forthcoming episodes, follow the OII on social media where new episodes will be announced. Our social media links can be found on our website: https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/ (see end of page).

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About

The Human Interface Podcast by the Oxford Internet Institute discusses how developments in technology impact our work and life, as told through the research and insights of a brilliant roster of experts and industry practitioners from the University and beyond.  In each episode, experts from the Oxford Internet Institute and special guests come together to discuss digital world issues that matter to society. The Human Interface Podcast is hosted by Veena McCoole. The OII is a multi-disciplinary research and teaching department of the University of Oxford, dedicated to the social science of the Internet.

Information

  • Creator
    The Human Interface Podcast (Oxford Internet Institute)
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Oxford University
  • Show Website
    The Human Interface Podcast