18 - AI Ethics Exposed - Manipulation, Autonomy & the Illusion of Choice

AI ethics, AI manipulation, and human autonomy collide in this episode as Steve exposes how recommendation engines, deepfakes, and predictive analytics can quietly shape what you see, what you buy, and what you believe. Drawing on real research into algorithmic nudging, disinformation, and autonomy in AI systems, we explore whether your freedom of choice is still truly yours. And what it takes to protect authenticity and agency in a world curated by code.

Topics Covered:

AI ethics, AI manipulation, human autonomy, algorithmic nudging, recommendation engines, personalized feeds, predictive analytics, deepfakes, synthetic media, AI-driven misinformation, disinformation campaigns, freedom of choice, informed consent, choice architecture, autonomy and agency, AI in decision-making, AI and democracy, AI regulations, AI governance, UNESCO AI ethics, explainable AI, transparency in AI, consumer protection, psychological manipulation online, ethical AI design

References:

1. AI’s threat to individual autonomy in hiring decisions

https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ais-threat-to-individual-autonomy-in-hiring-decisions/​

2. Consumer Autonomy in Generative AI Services: The Role of Perceived Autonomy

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12024212/​

3. Beyond Algorethics: Addressing the Ethical and Anthropological Challenges of AI Recommender Systems

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23736992.2025.2584435​

4. Generative AI, Democracy and Human Rights

https://www.cigionline.org/documents/3184/FoT_PB_No._12_-_Harris_and_Shull_gzjUYYD.pdf​

5. Social, Legal, and Ethical Implications of AI-Generated Deepfake Content

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125006102​

6. Ethical Boundaries of Deepfake Technology in 2025

https://www.resemble.ai/blog/deepfake-technology-ethical-implications/​

7. That’s Not Me: How Deepfakes Threaten Our Autonomy

https://ethics.org.au/thats-not-me-how-deepfakes-threaten-our-autonomy/​

8. AI Assessment Changes Human Behavior

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2425439122​

9. The Future of Trust: Why AI Governance and Regulation Are Critical in the Age of Deepfakes

https://accesspartnership.com/opinion/future-of-trust-ai-governance-deepfakes/​

10. 2025 Trends in AI Recommendation Engines: How AI Is Revolutionizing Product Discovery

https://superagi.com/2025-trends-in-ai-recommendation-engines-how-ai-is-revolutionizing-product-discovery-across-industries/​

Music Credits:

1. "Strings and Conductors" by Catch22Music.

https://pixabay.com/music/classical-string-quartet-strings-and-conductors-424802/

Free for use under the Pixabay license - https://pixabay.com/service/license-summary/

2. "Science Documentary" by Lexin_Music.

https://pixabay.com/music/build-up-scenes-science-documentary-169621/

Free for use under the Pixabay license - https://pixabay.com/service/license-summary/

3. "Tree of Life intro spoken word orchestral cinematic uplifting music" by Alan_Frijns.

https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-tree-of-life-intro-spoken-word-orchestral-cinematic-uplifting-music-371400/

Free for use under the Pixabay license - https://pixabay.com/service/license-summary/

This podcast is narrated by the host's own voice, powered by AI.