EAG Talks

Aaron Bergman

Talks from EA Global

  1. 09/02/2025

    The Moral Circle: insects, AI systems, and other beings who might matter | Jeff Sebo | EAG Bay Area 2025

    Watch on YouTube Which nonhumans matter, how much do they matter, and what do we owe them in a world reshaped by human activity? In this talk, Jeff Sebo argues that humanity should include all potentially significant beings in our moral community, with transformative implications for our lives and societies. He then examines a variety of questions that humanity will confront regarding creation ethics and population ethics. For example, should we accept the “rebugnant conclusion” that large groups of small beings matter more than small groups of large beings? Either way, what follows for our policies and priorities, at present and in the future?Jeff Sebo is Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Affiliated Professor of Bioethics, Medical Ethics, Philosophy, and Law, Director of the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection, Director of the Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy, and Co-Director of the Wild Animal Welfare Program at New York University. His research focuses on animal minds, ethics, and policy; AI minds, ethics, and policy; and global health and climate ethics and policy.He is the author of The Moral Circle and Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves and co-author of Chimpanzee Rights and Food, Animals, and the Environment. He is also a board member at Minding Animals International, an advisory board member at the Insect Welfare Research Society, and a senior affiliate at the Institute for Law & AI. In 2024 Vox included him on its Future Perfect 50 list of "thinkers, innovators, and changemakers who are working to make the future a better place."

    44 min
  2. 09/02/2025

    Critical levers: Where to push for farmed animals now | Zoe Sigle | EA Global: Bay Area 2025

    Watch on YouTube Factory farming, the industrial-scale harming of animals raised for food, is arguably the greatest moral atrocity of our time. Every year, 91 billion land animals, 124 billion finfishes, and trillions of crustaceans are farmed globally, with the vast majority suffering from psychological and physical harms.Despite the “David and Goliath” nature of a $300 million global animal movement working to reform a $1.4 trillion industry, NGOs are creating and leveraging opportunities to advance welfare policies, build sustainable food systems, and prevent more harmful industries from emerging. This talk focuses on current and emerging leverage points for farmed animal welfare movement strategy.Zoë is the Director of Programs at Farmed Animal Funders, a donor learning community made up of foundations and individuals donating $250,000+ annually to end factory farming. Additionally, Zoë serves as a Fund Manager with the Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund. Previously, Zoë led an international team at Mercy For Animals in partnering with global food companies to develop meaningful farmed animal welfare policies.To support the wider animal protection movement, she has mentored and trained organizations around the world in corporate outreach techniques and strategy, and spoken at international animal protection and effective altruism conferences. She holds a Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy degree from Vermont Law School and a BA in Biology and Environmental Studies.

    47 min

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Talks from EA Global