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The New Empire of AI with Dr Rachel Adams [Ep. 39]

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May welcomes Dr Rachel Adams, founder and CEO of the Global Center on AI Governance and author of The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality. Rachel’s book explores how AI is reshaping global inequalities and examines its historical ties to colonialism. Together, Laura and Rachel explore the complexities of AI governance, the AI divide, and the ethical challenges facing emerging technologies.
Key Highlights:
[00:00:00] Rachel’s journey into AI and governance: From her PhD on transparency and surveillance to becoming a global thought leader on AI governance, Rachel shares her professional journey.
[00:05:10] Why isn't AI transparent?: What makes AI systems so complex and why transparency in AI remains a critical and elusive goal.
[00:08:16] AI, inequality, and colonialism: How AI’s development and supply chains echo historical patterns of extraction and exploitation, and its disproportionate impact on the Global South.
[00:18:21] The AI divide: Examining the stark disparities in access to AI technologies and their benefits, and the resulting social and economic inequalities.
[00:23:26] Who does the work, and where?: Exploring the human cost of AI production, from data labelling to e-waste, and the economic challenges for workers in the Global South.
[00:28:36] AI governance and policy-makers: The need for international regulation, capacity-building in the Global South/Global Majority Countries, and empowering oversight institutions to create fairer systems.
[00:36:35] What can we do to help?: Concrete steps for individuals to support more equitable AI development and the importance of raising awareness about AI’s impact on global inequality.
[00:40:53] Where to learn more?: Connect with Rachel--and buy her book!
Links:
The New Empire of AI: The Future of Global Inequality by Rachel Adams (Polity Press): Available Here (Polity Press), Amazon US (hardback releasing January 2025, Kindle already available), Amazon UK (hardback releasing November 22), Waterstones
Global Center on AI Governance: globalcenter.ai
African Observatory on Responsible AI: africanobservatory.ai
Follow Rachel on LinkedIn and Twitter/X
Key Takeaway: Dr Rachel Adams argues that AI’s inequalities cannot be fully understood without recognising their roots in colonialism. Her book challenges us to rethink AI’s role in society and invites us to join the conversation about building a more equitable future.

"Making Friends Among the Taliban" with Ankur Delight [Ep. 38]

"Making Friends Among the Taliban" with Ankur Delight
In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May is joined by returning guest Ankur Delight, mediator and founder of a funk collective, to discuss Making Friends Among the Taliban by Jonathan Larson. The book tells the story of Dan Terry, a Methodist missionary who dedicated his life to development work, building relationships and trust in Afghanistan.
Highlights:
Learn how Dan's lack of judgment and dedication to finding common ground allowed him to build bridges with communities that held vastly different beliefs, all in pursuit of shared goals like clean water access.
Ankur reflects on the deep lessons of perseverance, optimism, and non-judgment that come from Terry’s life and work, and how these lessons have inspired him in his own journey.
Links:
Ankur's podcast, 10k heroes: http://10kh.show/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurdelight/
His website: https://tenthousandheroes.club/

Reframing Peace Mediation with Dr Owen Frazer [Ep. 36]

Reframing Peace Mediation with Dr Owen Frazer: A Deep Dive into Conflict Transformation
In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Owen Frazer, a seasoned conflict resolution expert and Senior Advisor for Conflict Transformation at Helvetas. Dr Frazer, with over two decades of experience and a new book titled Reframing Peace Mediation, shares invaluable insights into the art and science of mediation in conflict settings.
Key Highlights:
Dr Frazer's Journey and Motivation: From Belfast to becoming a leading voice in peace mediation, explore Owen's motivations and how his experiences shaped his approach to conflict resolution.
The Gaps in Mediation Literature: A critical look at the disconnect between academic research on mediation and practical, on-the-ground conflict resolution. Discover why Dr Frazer embarked on his PhD to bridge these gaps.
The El Salvador Peace Process: An in-depth exploration of Dr Frazer’s research on the 1989-1992 peace negotiations in El Salvador, focusing on the complexities of facilitative mediation and the power dynamics at play.
Framing in Mediation: Uncover Dr Frazer's innovative framework that explains how mediators can effectively influence outcomes through strategic framing actions—naming, claiming, and gaming.
The Role of Pragmatism in Peacebuilding: A discussion on how pragmatic decision-making impacts the longevity and acceptance of peace agreements, particularly in the context of political mediation.
Dr Frazer's Current Work: Insights into Owen’s current role at Helvetas, where he advises on conflict transformation across various contexts, from grassroots peacebuilding to navigating complex political landscapes.
This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolving practice of peace mediation and the intricate dance of framing that underpins successful conflict resolution.
Links:
Reframing Peace Mediation by Dr Owen Frazer: Routledge
Helvetas: Helvetas Official Site
Dr Owen Frazer's LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
Timestamps:
Introduction and Welcome - [00:00:00]
Owen's Journey into Peace Mediation - [00:01:00]
Gaps in Mediation Literature - [00:02:00]
The El Salvador Peace Process - [00:06:00]
Framing in Mediation - [00:10:30]
Pragmatism in Peacebuilding - [00:30:00]
Dr Frazer’s Current Work at Helvetas - [00:35:33]
How to Get Involved in Conflict Transformation - [00:40:42]
Conclusion and Contact Information - [00:44:00]

From Conflict to Convergence with Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh [Ep. 34]

Bridging Divides: Conflict Resolution with Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison
In this episode of the Conflict Tipping Podcast from Mediate.com, host Laura May interviews Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison about their work and their co-authored book, 'From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems.' Rob, founder and senior advisor at Convergence, and Mariah, the president and CEO, discuss their extensive experience in conflict resolution, spanning policy differences and community mediation. They share powerful case studies from their book, including successful collaborations on healthcare and police-community relations. The episode includes the methodologies they use to foster trust, build relationships, and achieve consensus, as well as the challenges in convening people and implementing solutions. The conversation highlights the importance of collaborative leadership and offers practical advice for listeners dealing with conflicts in their own lives.
"From Conflict to Convergence" comes out on 30 July 2024, and you can order and pre-order it wherever you buy good books.
Convergence website: https://convergencepolicy.org/
Buy the book: https://convergencepolicy.org/from-conflict-to-convergence/
Rob's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-fersh-8b752314/
Mariah's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariah-levison-130b2716/
Chapters
00:00 Meet the Authors: Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison
01:33 Inspiration Behind 'From Conflict to Convergence'
05:01 The Emotional and Relational Approach to Conflict Resolution
08:06 Higher Ground Solutions: A New Mindset
10:19 Real-Life Stories of Conflict Resolution
17:24 Methodologies and Strategies for Conflict Resolution
24:59 Challenges and Future of Collaborative Problem Solving
About the guests
MARIAH LEVISON serves as the President and CEO at Convergence. Mariah uses a deep understanding of human relations to build trust and relationships across differences which lead to consensus-based solutions to complex and contentious issues. Prior to joining Convergence, Mariah led the Minnesota State Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution and has worked for several nonprofit dispute resolution centers. Additionally, Mariah has been teaching collaborative problem-solving for twenty years in settings ranging from community trainings to law schools to trainings for foreign governments.
ROBERT FERSH is the Founder and Senior Advisor of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, which he started in 2009 to promote consensus solutions to issues of domestic importance. Convergence has successfully addressed a wide array of national and state level concerns including health care, K-12 education, incarceration, economic mobility, nutrition and wellness, and more. Previously, Rob served on the staffs of three Congressional committees, directed a national anti-hunger organization, and served as the U.S. country director for Search for Common Ground, an international conflict transformation organization.

Amanda Ripley's "High Conflict", with Ankur Delight [Ep. 33]

Join special guest Ankur Delight and Laura May as we review Amanda Ripley's book, "High Conflict".
Book blurb:
New York Times bestselling author and award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley investigates how good people get captured by high conflict—and how they break free.Our journey begins in California, where a world-renowned conflict expert struggles to extract himself from a political feud. Then we meet a Chicago gang leader who dedicates his life to a vendetta—only to find himself working beside the man who killed his childhood idol. Next, we travel to Colombia, to find out whether thousands of people can be nudged out of high conflict at scale. Finally, we return to America to see what happens when a group of liberal Manhattan Jews and conservative Michigan corrections officers choose to stay in each other’s homes in order to understand one another better.All these people, in dramatically different situations, were drawn into high conflict by similar forces, including conflict entrepreneurs, humiliation, and false binaries. But ultimately, all of them found ways to transform high conflict into something good, something that made them better people. They rehumanized and recatego­rized their opponents, and they revived curiosity and wonder, even as they continued to fight for what they knew was right.People do escape high conflict. Individuals—even entire communities—can short-circuit the feedback loops of outrage and blame, if they want to. This is a mind-opening new way to think about conflict that will transform how we move through the world.
 
Books, authors, and episodes mentioned
High Conflict, by Amanda Ripley
Ankur's podcast, 10k heroes: http://10kh.show/
George Lakoff, e.g. The Political Mind
Episode on Colombian conflict with Solveig Richter and Laura Camila Barrios: https://conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/reincorporating-combatants-in-colombia-with-dr-solveig-richter-and-laura-camila-barrios-sabogal-ep-19/
Episode on Convergence with Rob Fersh and Monika Glowacki https://conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/episode-2-rob-fersh-and-monica-glowacki-of-the-convergence-center-for-policy-resolution/
Episode on the Interactivity Foundation with Shannon Wheatley Hartman: https://conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/making-lives-more-complex-and-democratic-with-shannon-wheatley-hartman-ep-17/
Episode on peacebuilding with Juan Diaz-Prinz: https://conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/episode-4-juan-diaz-prinz-of-the-united-states-institute-of-peace/
Laura's PhD thesis: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351515871_Blame_Making_a_Villain_out_of_EU
Samantha Hardy's book on conflict stories: Conflict Coaching Fundamentals
Episode with Sam Hardy: https://conflicttipping.podbean.com/e/episode-5-dr-samantha-hardy-lawson-principal-at-conflict-coaching-international/
Book about Derek Black: Rising Out of Hatred, by Eli Saslow
Against Empathy, by Paul Bloom
Business Plan for Peace, by Scilla Ellsworthy
Ank's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankurdelight/
And website: https://tenthousandheroes.club/
 
00:00:00 Introduction00:01:25 The Book00:03:06 The Concept of High Conflict00:06:38 Gary Friedman's story00:13:49 Curtis' Journey00:15:37 The Challenge of Escaping Conflict00:19:21 Complexifying Identities to Address Conflict00:22:16 Sandra's Story00:24:12 A fruity segue00:25:18 Sandra's Journey to Freedom00:27:09 Breaking Down Stereotypes00:29:15 The Power of Storytelling00:35:25 Key Takeaways00:44:54 Final Thoughts

The Rise of the Masses with Dr Benjamin Abrams [Ep. 21]

In this episode, meet Dr Benjamin Abrams, who has just released his brand-new book about mass mobilisations called "The Rise of the Masses".  Listen if you are interested in:
Why mass mobilisations such as protests happen
The Black Lives Uprising, Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, or even the French Revolution
The emotions of protest
How physical space can support mass mobilisations
Ben's admiration for guillotines
Buy the book at theRiseoftheMasses.com.
 
About Dr Abrams:
Benjamin Abrams is Lecturer in Sociology and Leverhulme Fellow at University College London. Alongside the study of mobilization, Benjamin also works on revolutions, resistance and contentious politics broadly considered. His approach to these topics focuses on exploratory macro-causal comparisons and case studies, designed to generate new, durable theoretical insights. Much of his work fuses these macro-level techniques with in-depth investigative within-case methods, with a specialism in the analysis of ethnographic interviews and archival sources.
In addition to authoring The Rise of the Masses, Benjamin's second book is called Symbolic Objects in Contentious Politics. Written in collaboration with Peter R. Gardner and bringing together an international and interdisciplinary community of scholars, the book was published open access by the University of Michigan Press in 2023.
Benjamin is also Chief Editor (with Giovanni A. Travaglino) of Contention: The Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Protest.
More information about Benjamin's scholarly work can be found on his faculty page at UCL. He tweets at @bdmabrams.
 
About the host:Laura is a facilitator, people and culture director, and former Executive Director of the International Mediation Institute.  Her doctoral research asked “in what ways does blame make villains in politics” and covered the gamut from literature studies and linguistics to psychology and neuroscience, victimology to political science.  Her expertise includes emotions, polarization, blame, and international politics.  Feel free to connect with her on  LinkedIn or ResearchGate—or even both!