Ep. 061 Dr. Joanne Ciulla, Professor and Director of the Institute for Ethical Leadership - Rutgers University
/🎙️ Show Summary
In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, I chat with Dr. Joanne Ciulla, Professor and Director of the Institute for Ethical Leadership at Rutgers University, to explore the intersection of AI, ethics, philosophy, and humanity.
What unfolds is a rare philosophical deep dive into how artificial intelligence challenges our understanding of agency, morality, and consciousness—and what it reveals about us as human beings.
Together, they discuss everything from moral decision-making in AI, the trolley problem, and the role of fear and courage in modern society, to the importance of critical thinking, literature, and philosophy in shaping ethical leaders of the future.
🧠This is a grounded, deeply human reflection on what it means to live—and lead—consciously in the age of intelligent machines.
Key topics explored:
The philosophical roots of AI and what they reveal about human understanding
What makes an entity an “agent” — and whether AI can ever qualify
Moral accountability, bias, and the illusion of AI objectivity
The “trolley problem” and the ethics of decision-making in autonomous systems
Why humanities and philosophy are essential in an AI-driven world
The dangers of fear—and courage as a modern moral virtue
How critical thinking and kindness shape ethical leadership