In a few generations, innovations in technology, industry, and the state brought us tremendous prosperity and progress. Now, amid the challenges of AI, autonomous weapons, and globe-spanning tech companies, and more, are humans losing control of their creations? Could the machines suppress our humanity, spirituality, and even replace the higher power?

Join the Oxford Political Review to launch 18th issue, entitled ‘Ghost in the Machine’, with a panel discussion featuring experts on artificial intelligence, governance, media and religion. Copies of the issue will be available free at the event. The speakers are:

Prof Robert F. Trager: Robert F. Trager is Co-Director of the Oxford Martin AI Governance Initiative, International Governance Lead at the Centre for the Governance of AI, and Senior Research Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. He is a recognized expert in the international governance of emerging technologies, diplomatic practice, institutional design, and technology regulation. He regularly advises government and industry leaders on these topics.

Mr Daniel B Singer: Daniel brings together philosophy, law, psychology, and a career in data and analytics to explore how the world is changing. He has advised governments, businesses, and charities on strategy in an age shaped by technology. His writing examines how technology transforms us ethically, emotionally, and socially. His debut novel, Singularity & Loneliness, was published in 2026. Alongside his literary work, Daniel is an experienced business leader who advises corporates, investors, and governments on data strategy and digital transformation. He previously served as Managing Director at Kantar, leading the UK Analytics practice. He built and sold Mavens of London, a fast-growing data strategy boutique, and has worked in consultancy at KPMG and in public policy at Ofcom. Daniel holds a degree in PPE from Somerville College, Oxford, an MPhil in Philosophy of Psychology from King’s College London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from BPP Law School.

Dr Mari van Emmerik is a Junior Research Fellow in Religion and the Frontier Challenges programme at Pembroke College, Oxford, and a research associate at the Faculty of Divinity, Cambridge. Her interdisciplinary work explores the nature of mind through her previous empirical research on language and thought, the study of (non)religious cognition, and philosophical and theological inquiry into artificial intelligence. Mari holds an MA in Applied Linguistics as a Fulbright Scholar at Southern Illinois University, as well as an MSt and a DPhil in Science and Religion as a Clarendon Scholar at Oxford, focusing on the cognitive science of nonreligion. She has taught Theology and Science at Cambridge and co-leads the John Templeton Foundation–funded project “Awe-some Spirituality,” examining how awe bridges secular and religious spirituality. Her current project at Pembroke College brings Christian incarnational theology into conversation with cognitive science to address digital justice and epistemic diversity in AI.

Ms Priscille Biehlmann: Priscille Biehlmann is the Content Editor for Newsroom Leadership Programmes at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. She works on the design and delivery of leadership programmes for journalists from around the world and reports on innovation in the journalism industry. Prior to joining the Reuters Institute, she worked in academic publishing on media and journalism textbooks, and as a freelance science and culture journalist. Her reporting has appeared in publications including The Guardian and the New Scientist.