Jeff Sebo
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, 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, New York University. jeffsebo.net
Pinned
Jeff Sebo
@jeffsebo.bsky.social
· Nov 17
My next book, The Moral Circle, is available for preorder!
This book examines the moral status of insects, AI systems, and many other nonhumans.
The book is out January 28 2025, in both print and audio. 1/
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
This book examines the moral status of insects, AI systems, and many other nonhumans.
The book is out January 28 2025, in both print and audio. 1/
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Today in @aeon.co Andreas Mogensen and I discuss animal welfare, AI welfare, and probabilistic ethics. We make the case for addressing the moral status of animals and AI systems as we address health, climate, and other big issues: with probabilistic reasoning and proportional responses.
An ant is drowning: here’s how to decide if you should save it | Aeon Essays
Should we simply assume that all animals can feel pain and are of moral concern? Or is that taking things too far?
aeon.co
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Today in @aeon.co Andreas Mogensen and I discuss animal welfare, AI welfare, and probabilistic ethics. We make the case for addressing the moral status of animals and AI systems as we address health, climate, and other big issues: with probabilistic reasoning and proportional responses.
The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program is thrilled to be hosting a panel on regulating the wild pet trade, with Becca Franks, Liz Holtz, and NYC Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal! Nov 14 4pm ET, hybrid event, vegan reception for in-person guests. Join us!
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/wild...
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/wild...
Events
Fall 2025
sites.google.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program is thrilled to be hosting a panel on regulating the wild pet trade, with Becca Franks, Liz Holtz, and NYC Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal! Nov 14 4pm ET, hybrid event, vegan reception for in-person guests. Join us!
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/wild...
sites.google.com/nyu.edu/wild...
Today in @aeon.co Andreas Mogensen and I discuss animal welfare, AI welfare, and probabilistic ethics. We make the case for addressing the moral status of animals and AI systems as we address health, climate, and other big issues: with probabilistic reasoning and proportional responses.
An ant is drowning: here’s how to decide if you should save it | Aeon Essays
Should we simply assume that all animals can feel pain and are of moral concern? Or is that taking things too far?
aeon.co
November 10, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Today in @aeon.co Andreas Mogensen and I discuss animal welfare, AI welfare, and probabilistic ethics. We make the case for addressing the moral status of animals and AI systems as we address health, climate, and other big issues: with probabilistic reasoning and proportional responses.
In my brief keynote remarks at the recent AI, Animals, and Digital Minds Conference, I discuss the theoretical and practical value of integrating animal welfare research and AI welfare research in some contexts, even if we separate them in others.
youtu.be/ak3WuQhtoW4?...
youtu.be/ak3WuQhtoW4?...
Keynote Address | Jeff Sebo | AIADM NYC 2025
YouTube video by Sentient Futures
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 11:33 AM
In my brief keynote remarks at the recent AI, Animals, and Digital Minds Conference, I discuss the theoretical and practical value of integrating animal welfare research and AI welfare research in some contexts, even if we separate them in others.
youtu.be/ak3WuQhtoW4?...
youtu.be/ak3WuQhtoW4?...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
"The Moral Circle deserves great praise for its clear and engaging style, its humor and witty thought experiments, and its accessible introduction to a range of complex philosophical issues."
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
The Moral Circle: Who Matters, What Matters, and Why
Published in Ethics, Policy & Environment (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
"The Moral Circle deserves great praise for its clear and engaging style, its humor and witty thought experiments, and its accessible introduction to a range of complex philosophical issues."
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
Our NYU event with @christinewebb.bsky.social on human exceptionalism in the sciences is now online! Please watch and share if you have interest :)
youtube.com/watch?v=aAvhiumVJJI&feature=youtu.be
youtube.com/watch?v=aAvhiumVJJI&feature=youtu.be
Christine Webb, "The Arrogant Ape: The Myth of Human Exceptionalism and Why it Matters"
YouTube video by NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program
youtube.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Our NYU event with @christinewebb.bsky.social on human exceptionalism in the sciences is now online! Please watch and share if you have interest :)
youtube.com/watch?v=aAvhiumVJJI&feature=youtu.be
youtube.com/watch?v=aAvhiumVJJI&feature=youtu.be
"The Moral Circle deserves great praise for its clear and engaging style, its humor and witty thought experiments, and its accessible introduction to a range of complex philosophical issues."
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
The Moral Circle: Who Matters, What Matters, and Why
Published in Ethics, Policy & Environment (Ahead of Print, 2025)
www.tandfonline.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
"The Moral Circle deserves great praise for its clear and engaging style, its humor and witty thought experiments, and its accessible introduction to a range of complex philosophical issues."
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
Thanks to Nicolas Delon for such a kind and thoughtful review!
www.tandfonline.com/eprint/5D2UW...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
You may have read that your protein supplements are giving you lead poisoning. That's not the case. If you want to have protein shakes, that's fine. But whether you need to and whether they're safely regulated is a different story. My latest for @vox.com.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
No, your protein powder isn’t poisoning you
New testing finds two-thirds of popular protein powders exceed lead limits — especially plant-based brands. What you need to know before your next scoop — and why the reality is different.
www.vox.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:36 PM
You may have read that your protein supplements are giving you lead poisoning. That's not the case. If you want to have protein shakes, that's fine. But whether you need to and whether they're safely regulated is a different story. My latest for @vox.com.
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Looking forward to discussing animal and AI law at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law today! Grateful to the Working Group on Animals in the Law and Humanities and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society for hosting me :)
srinstitute.utoronto.ca/events-archi...
srinstitute.utoronto.ca/events-archi...
The Moral Circle: A Book Talk with Jeff Sebo — Schwartz Reisman Institute
Jeff Sebo urges expanding our moral community to include animals and some AIs, transforming ethics beyond human exceptionalism.
srinstitute.utoronto.ca
October 21, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Looking forward to discussing animal and AI law at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law today! Grateful to the Working Group on Animals in the Law and Humanities and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society for hosting me :)
srinstitute.utoronto.ca/events-archi...
srinstitute.utoronto.ca/events-archi...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Concluding our Defund Meat debate, JEFF SEBO (@jeffsebo.bsky.social) argues that a global ban on industrial animal agriculture by 2050 is necessary to address massive, transboundary harm to humans, animals and the environment.
verfassungsblog.de/global-ban-o...
verfassungsblog.de/global-ban-o...
October 20, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Concluding our Defund Meat debate, JEFF SEBO (@jeffsebo.bsky.social) argues that a global ban on industrial animal agriculture by 2050 is necessary to address massive, transboundary harm to humans, animals and the environment.
verfassungsblog.de/global-ban-o...
verfassungsblog.de/global-ban-o...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Urban expansion can lead to habitat loss. Yet, as IPBES #GlobalAssessment shows, smart city planning + nature-based solutions can create resilient, bird-friendly cities.🌍
This #WorldMigratoryBirdDay, let’s protect migratory birds in our #SharedSpaces 🏡
🧪https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
This #WorldMigratoryBirdDay, let’s protect migratory birds in our #SharedSpaces 🏡
🧪https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
October 11, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Urban expansion can lead to habitat loss. Yet, as IPBES #GlobalAssessment shows, smart city planning + nature-based solutions can create resilient, bird-friendly cities.🌍
This #WorldMigratoryBirdDay, let’s protect migratory birds in our #SharedSpaces 🏡
🧪https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
This #WorldMigratoryBirdDay, let’s protect migratory birds in our #SharedSpaces 🏡
🧪https://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/
here are some thoughts about the rights of future generations, captured from an email i wrote to a colleague this morning. reactions welcome!
October 11, 2025 at 11:42 AM
here are some thoughts about the rights of future generations, captured from an email i wrote to a colleague this morning. reactions welcome!
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Goodall was such an icon because she did & said things that were heresy in the scientific community. Her work on animals' capacities represented not just an abstract finding but a practical ethic that led her to advocate for veganism &vocally oppose animal experimentation
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Jane Goodall’s most radical message was not about saving the planet
The conservationist used her stature to advocate for one of the most important, yet most unpopular, causes in the world.
www.vox.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Goodall was such an icon because she did & said things that were heresy in the scientific community. Her work on animals' capacities represented not just an abstract finding but a practical ethic that led her to advocate for veganism &vocally oppose animal experimentation
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
www.vox.com/future-perfe...
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
"The only responsible stance is humility." @jeffsebo.bsky.social about the possibility of AI sentience. youtu.be/yEfvhjujKSY
Are we even prepared for a sentient AI? | Jeff Sebo | TEDxNewEngland
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
youtu.be
September 26, 2025 at 9:08 AM
"The only responsible stance is humility." @jeffsebo.bsky.social about the possibility of AI sentience. youtu.be/yEfvhjujKSY
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
Will AI systems ever become sentient? How should we treat them if we feel uncertain? Check out @jeffsebo.bsky.social's TEDx talk on AI sentience.
youtu.be/yEfvhjujKSY
youtu.be/yEfvhjujKSY
Are we even prepared for a sentient AI? | Jeff Sebo | TEDxNewEngland
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
youtu.be
September 25, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Will AI systems ever become sentient? How should we treat them if we feel uncertain? Check out @jeffsebo.bsky.social's TEDx talk on AI sentience.
youtu.be/yEfvhjujKSY
youtu.be/yEfvhjujKSY
The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy recently hosted Cass Sunstein for a public talk on a bill of rights for animals. The recording is now online — feel free to share with anyone who may have interest!
youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y16xw8sZ4&feature=youtu.be
youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y16xw8sZ4&feature=youtu.be
Cass Sunstein, "A Bill of Rights for Animals"
YouTube video by NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy
youtube.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy recently hosted Cass Sunstein for a public talk on a bill of rights for animals. The recording is now online — feel free to share with anyone who may have interest!
youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y16xw8sZ4&feature=youtu.be
youtube.com/watch?v=P2Y16xw8sZ4&feature=youtu.be
Ann Linder, Colin Jerolmack, and I published a letter in Science about the importance of addressing industrial animal agriculture's public health impacts when developing a response to bird flu. (You can find it below the target article, as a response.)
The consequences of letting avian influenza run rampant in US poultry
The approach proposed by a high-ranking US government official would be dangerous and unethical
www.science.org
September 20, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Ann Linder, Colin Jerolmack, and I published a letter in Science about the importance of addressing industrial animal agriculture's public health impacts when developing a response to bird flu. (You can find it below the target article, as a response.)
1/ My TEDx talk “What Do We Owe AI?” is now live! AI is advancing fast, and our relationships with AI systems are changing too. Some think AI could soon be sentient and deserve care. Are they right? What if the only honest answer is: maybe? 🧵+🔗👇
September 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM
1/ My TEDx talk “What Do We Owe AI?” is now live! AI is advancing fast, and our relationships with AI systems are changing too. Some think AI could soon be sentient and deserve care. Are they right? What if the only honest answer is: maybe? 🧵+🔗👇
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
More NYT coverage of THE ARROGANT APE: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/b...
6 Books We Loved This Week
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:39 AM
More NYT coverage of THE ARROGANT APE: www.nytimes.com/2025/09/04/b...
Journalists sometimes ask me to share insights about animal consciousness that have emerged since the New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness in 2024. I would love to have answers for them, especially regarding non-invasive methods and research on positive welfare. Leads welcome!
August 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Journalists sometimes ask me to share insights about animal consciousness that have emerged since the New York Declaration on Animal Consciousness in 2024. I would love to have answers for them, especially regarding non-invasive methods and research on positive welfare. Leads welcome!
1/ Thanks again to Eric and Walter for taking the time to engage with our books! In case anyone is interested, you can find my reply to Eric and Walter -- addressed directly to them, since it originated as an email -- in the next post. (I focus on their discussion of my book.)
New paper in draft, with Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, critiquing three recent books that address the moral standing of non-human animals and AI systems: @birchlse.bsky.social's The Edge of Sentience, @jeffsebo.bsky.social's The Moral Circle, and Webb Keane's Animals, Robots, Gods. 1/3
August 29, 2025 at 1:09 PM
1/ Thanks again to Eric and Walter for taking the time to engage with our books! In case anyone is interested, you can find my reply to Eric and Walter -- addressed directly to them, since it originated as an email -- in the next post. (I focus on their discussion of my book.)
Planning to attend NeurIPS and interested in AI for animals? See below for a great opportunity!
August 28, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Planning to attend NeurIPS and interested in AI for animals? See below for a great opportunity!
Reposted by Jeff Sebo
New paper in draft, with Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, critiquing three recent books that address the moral standing of non-human animals and AI systems: @birchlse.bsky.social's The Edge of Sentience, @jeffsebo.bsky.social's The Moral Circle, and Webb Keane's Animals, Robots, Gods. 1/3
August 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
New paper in draft, with Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, critiquing three recent books that address the moral standing of non-human animals and AI systems: @birchlse.bsky.social's The Edge of Sentience, @jeffsebo.bsky.social's The Moral Circle, and Webb Keane's Animals, Robots, Gods. 1/3