Tom Rid joins the show: AI consciousness, TP-Link’s China connection, trust in hardware security

Three Buddy Problem – Episode 43: Director of the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies Thomas Rid joins the show for a deep-dive into the philosophical and ethical considerations surrounding AI consciousness and anthropomorphism. We dig into the multifaceted implications of AI technology, particularly focusing on data privacy, national security, and the philosophical questions surrounding AI consciousness and rights.

Plus, TP-Link under US government investigation and the broader issues of consumer trust in hardware security, the need for regulation and inspectability of technology, and the struggles with patching network devices.

Cast: Thomas Rid, Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade and Ryan Naraine. Costin Raiu is away this week.

Links:

• Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)
• Anthropic: Exploring AI model welfare, consciousness
• David Chalmers: Taking AI Welfare Seriously
• Sam Altman: AI privacy safeguards can’t be established before ‘problems emerge’
• TP-Link router pricing and China ties under US gov probe
• Bloomberg: TP-Link’s US Future Hinges on Claimed Split From China
• Verizon DBIR 2015 (full report)
• Mandiant M-Trends 2025 Report
• FBI seeking tips about China’s ‘Salt Typhoon’ hackers
• North Korean Cryptocurrency Thieves Caught Hijacking Zoom ‘Remote Control’ Feature
• Dan Geer on the realpolitik of cybersecurity
• LABScon 2025 CFP is open
• Ransom War by Max Smeets