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Jeff Sebo

@jeffsebo.bsky.social
1.9K followers 126 following 416 posts

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

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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Thanks for listening, and for your kind words! I think your takeaway — the topic is worth researching whether or not current LLMs are plausibly conscious — is the most important one right now.
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Jeff Greene @jeffgreene.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Enjoyed @kevinroose.com and @caseynewton.bsky.social 's conversation with @jeffsebo.bsky.social on LLM consciousness. Even though I still believe LLM consciousness is merely "a smile on a dog" I was convinced we need to keep researching ways of deciding whether LLMs are conscious or not.
podcasts.apple.com
Do Social Media Bans Work? + A Conversation About A.I. Consciousness + Tool Time
Podcast Episode · Hard Fork · July 10 · 1h 19m
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Paula González Carracedo 🏳️‍🌈 @paulitavegan.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Vuelvo a escribir en @elpais.com para hablar de uno de los temas que más me interesa en los últimos años: lingüística animal y cómo comunican las otras especies. Ahora, la IA acelera este campo. Entrevisto a @earthspecies.bsky.social y a @jeffsebo.bsky.social de la NYU. elpais.com/tecnologia/2...
elpais.com
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program is thrilled to be hosting our annual Wild Animal Welfare Summit! Two and a half days of talks, discussions, and networking among researchers, advocates, and policymakers about how to improve wild animal welfare at scale :)
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
6/ So again, if you live in NY-12, please consider voting for Alex today. And please help spread the word.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
5/ I also know Alex personally, and I can confirm that he is caring, driven, intelligent, pragmatic, effective, and independent. We always need more of that in Congress, but we especially need it during what might be a significant period of social, political, and economic disruption.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
4/ These ordinary political issues might seem quite different from AI safety, but a common theme connects them all is that powerful systems will not automatically promote the common good, though thoughtful governance can help steer them in that direction.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
3/ There are plenty of other reasons to support Alex too. He has promising and practical ideas about how to improve affordability for New Yorkers, protect workers and consumers, expand access to health care, defend democratic institutions, and much more.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
2/ I support Alex partly because of his leadership on AI. We need elected officials who understand AI and prioritize building institutions that can responsibly manage it. Alex has a background in CS and years of experience in tech, and he has already helped pass serious AI safety legislation.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
1/ If you live in NY-12, please consider voting for @alexbores.nyc today.
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Josep Gasol @josepgasol.com · 10/06/2026
Day 2 and last of the Helsinki Animal Law Conference 2026: "Reimagining Interspecies Justice" with talks by @jeffsebo.bsky.social, Molly Neeson & Angela Fernandez. I was able to present my work on epistemic agency in animals on one of the panels, and I am so happy for the experience and feedback! ✨
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Matthew Hayek @matthewhayek.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
I and @jeffsebo.bsky.social described how they're trying to bury the law in the Farm Bill. This would undermine not only animal welfare, but human & environmental health. Interstate sale restrictions & quarantines are powerful tools to slow livestock diseases. 3/ www.agri-pulse.com/articles/247...
agri-pulse.com
Opinion: This hidden provision in the farm bill could wipe out hundreds of state laws
Matthew Hayek and Jeff Sebo, associate professors at New York University, argue that a House farm bill provision limiting state authority over agricultural products could invalidate more than 600 exis...
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David Gunkel @davidgunkel.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
"Who Belongs in the Moral Circle?" A relational response to @jeffsebo.bsky.social's book "The Moral Circle" written in collaboration with Hayate Shimizu, @annapuzio.bsky.social and @kamilmamak.bsky.social and published in the "Asian Journal of Philosophy" @springernature.com rdcu.be/fppRj
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Jonathan Birch @birchlse.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
If insects are sentient and sentience implies rights, what follows for food security and public health? I call this the "insect challenge" for animal ethics. The Journal of Practical Ethics has a new symposium on it, with an article by me and 3 replies: journals.publishing.umich.edu/jpe/news/ 1/5
A photograph of a bumblebee on a flower (by Jonathan Birch)
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Arthropoda Foundation @arthropodafound.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Are you a researcher or industry expert with a deep interest in shrimp aquaculture? The Arthropoda Foundation is hiring a Program Officer to scope and commission research that improves conditions for farmed shrimps! Remote, $75,000/year. Learn more and apply: www.arthropoda.org/work-with-us
arthropoda.org
Arthropoda Foundation - Work with Us
The Arthropoda Foundation is currently hiring a Program Officer. Learn more below.
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Matthew Hayek @matthewhayek.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
This agricultural protectionist bill is so unpopular that Democrats & Republicans sank it multiple times. Now, its few supports want to sneak it into the Farm Bill. @jeffsebo.bsky.social & I share why it's a threat to animals, environment, workers & states' rights. www.agri-pulse.com/articles/247...
agri-pulse.com
Opinion: This hidden provision in the farm bill could wipe out hundreds of state laws
Matthew Hayek and Jeff Sebo, associate professors at New York University, argue that a House farm bill provision limiting state authority over agricultural products could invalidate more than 600 exis...
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Horizon Omega @horizonomega.org · 15/05/2026
Next Steps for AI Welfare Research by @jeffsebo.bsky.social, Director of the Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy, New York University Our 1st edition of the AI Welfare Seminars: presentations on AI welfare, consciousness and moral status. Tuesday, May 19, 1PM EDT, on Zoom RSVP luma.com/sc15vlr8
luma.com
Next Steps for AI Welfare Research – Jeff Sebo · Zoom · Luma
Next Steps for AI Welfare Research By Jeff Sebo, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Director of the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection,…
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LSE Blogs @lseblogs.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
"Animal rights are built on the idea that certain types of harmful activities are unacceptable, no matter how much good they might do for humans. We should not use animals for food, or research in invasive or lethal ways, even if we benefit from it." @jeffsebo.bsky.social @lseeuroppblog.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Interview with Jeff Sebo: “Human exceptionalism ought to be challenged”
Should animals have rights or just protections? Jeff Sebo discusses the difference between rights and welfare, and the problems with human exceptionalism.
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Normative Orders @normativeorders.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
"Our Planet, Our Health" explores questions of global health justice through conversations with international experts. In the first episode, host @rominarekers.bsky.social speaks with @jeffsebo.bsky.social about why animal welfare is central to planetary health. www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6rl...
youtube.com
Why Animal Welfare Belongs at the Heart of Public Health?
YouTube video by Normative Orders
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Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D. @ertrunnell.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
💡 @jeffsebo.bsky.social examines one of the most consequential assumptions underlying animal experimentation & animal use more broadly: The harmful assumption that consciousness should not be attributed unless conclusively proven #philosophy #ethics #consci #PhilMind #animalrights
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Laurie Sellars @lauriesellars.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Thrilled to share a policy report that I co-authored about how city governments can incorporate wild animal welfare into their approaches to human-wildlife conflict! 🏙️🕊️ Led by Adalene Minelli, @jeffsebo.bsky.social, and NYU’s Wild Animal Welfare Program enviroanimal.org/human-wildli...
enviroanimal.org
Wild Animal Welfare in Local Policies on Human-Wildlife Conflict - Center for Environmental and Animal Protection
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David Gunkel @davidgunkel.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Photo of the participants for the panel discussion that followed the NYC premiere of the documentary AM I? @jeffsebo.bsky.social, Milo Reed (filmmaker), me, and Cameron Berg (the star of the film). The doc is now available on YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbTv...
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy is thrilled to be hosting Ned Block for a talk on AI consciousness! This talk will be held during our Mind, Ethics, and Policy Summit on April 10. Summit guests will attend in person, others can attend online. RSVP 👇 Please join us!
nonhumanminds.org
If Consciousness is Biological, Can AI Be Conscious? - Center for Mind Ethics, and Policy
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casssunstein.bsky.social @casssunstein.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Coming in 2027. My most personal book, and risky, I know. #AnimalsMatter @jeffsebo.bsky.social @raffaelfasel.bsky.social press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu
Animals Matter
From The New York Times bestselling author, a bold new account of animal rights, why they may be on the verge of mass popularity, and why animals need a Bill of Rights
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Raffael Fasel @raffaelfasel.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
The book features contributions by Patricia Wiater (@fau.de), @visakurki.bsky.social (@helsinki.fi), Macarena Montes Franceschini (@harvard.edu), @jeffsebo.bsky.social (NYU), Malgosia Fitzmaurice (QMUL), Elien Verniers (Ghent), @evabernetkempers.bsky.social (@uantwerpen.be), ...
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Apply to be a researcher and project manager at the NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection: apply.interfolio.com/181286
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Apply to be a researcher and project manager at the NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy: apply.interfolio.com/181285
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy and the NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection are both hiring full-time researchers! If you have strong research skills and an interest in animal and AI welfare (for CMEP) or food and wildlife science and policy (for CEAP), please apply!
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Today! nonhumanminds.org/event/animal...
nonhumanminds.org
Animals in Cost-Benefit Analysis - Center for Mind Ethics, and Policy
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Link: uscareers-nyu.icims.com/jobs/15301/a...
uscareers-nyu.icims.com
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Are you an ops expert interested in farmed animal welfare, wild animal welfare, invertebrate welfare, and AI welfare? The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy and NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection are hiring an administrator. Please apply, and please share!
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program is thrilled to be hosting an event on how cities can manage human-wildlife conflict! Join us for a preview of our upcoming report and discussion with Colin Jerolmack and Adalene Minelli. Feb 23, 4pm ET, followed by a reception. sites.google.com/nyu.edu/wild...
sites.google.com
Events
SPRING 2026
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Nice coverage of the NYU Food Impact Program launch event from Washington Square News! nyunews.com/2026/02/09/n...
nyunews.com
Faculty discuss the future of food issues - Washington Square News
Around 150 NYU community members gathered Friday afternoon to learn about interdisciplinary global food issues at the Food Impact Program’s first event since its creation last month. The panel discuss...
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Eric Schwitzgebel @eschwitz.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
My paper with @jeffsebo.bsky.social , "The Emotional Alignment Design Policy", now live at Topoi [link in comments]. Artificial entities should be designed to elicit emotional reactions from ordinary users that appropriately reflect the entities’ capacities and moral status, or lack thereof.
The Emotional Alignment Design Policy, Topoi, Eric Schwitzgebel & Jeff Sebo
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
4/ Please apply if you have interest in the role, and please share with others who might have interest! apply.interfolio.com/180942
apply.interfolio.com
Apply - Interfolio {{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
3/ The postdoctoral associate will serve as the WILD Lab's science coordinator, leading empirical research and shaping policy recommendations in collaboration with colleagues in philosophy and law.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
2/ The project, called the "Wildlife Inclusive Local Development Lab" (WILD Lab), advances science and policy related to the impacts of urban development on wild animal welfare.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
1/ The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program is hiring a Postdoctoral Associate! The NYU Wild Animal Welfare Program is currently seeking a postdoctoral associate to join an interdisciplinary research project focused on wild animals in urban environments.
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Insect Welfare Research Society @insectwrs.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
The IWRS is hiring! Help us build the infrastructure for invertebrate welfare research—from husbandry databases to educational resources. 🐛📖 Remote Research Scientist position, $55-60K. We will begin reviewing applications on March 15. Learn more and apply here:
insectwelfare.com
Staff Entomologist — Insect Welfare Research Society
Work with Us
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
The NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy is thrilled to be hosting an online talk with legal scholar Andy Stawasz about why and how to include animal welfare in cost-benefit analyses. February 11, noon ET. Join us! nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
nyu.zoom.us
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Animals in Cost-Benefit Analysis. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Federal agencies’ cost-benefit analyses do not capture animals’ interests. This omission matters. Cost-benefit analysis drives many regulatory decisions that substantially affect many billions of anim...
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
On the Clearer Thinking Podcast, Spencer Greenberg and I discuss farmed animal welfare, wild animal welfare, AI welfare, and a variety of related issues. Please give it a listen if you have interest, and please share with others who might! podcast.clearerthinking.org/episode/?ep=...
podcast.clearerthinking.org
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Annie Leymarie @annieleymarie.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
What is consciousness & who has it? Complex & evolving field…The author suggests “we should adopt different assumptions about the distribution of consciousness for different purposes in science.” Also In ethics. But “a default assumption of consciousness may often be best for both science & ethics.”
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Announcing the NYU Food Impact Program! A new initiative that will examine the impacts of food systems and pathways towards reform. Housed within the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection and supported by a $3.75m donation for the first five years. www.nyu.edu/about/news-p...
nyu.edu
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
The article is available open access here: www.frontiersin.org/journals/psy...
frontiersin.org
Frontiers | Everything and nothing is conscious: default assumptions in science and ethics
Historically, scientists and philosophers have tended to assume that animals lack consciousness until evidence shows otherwise. Recently, however, some resea...
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
New article! Should we assume entities have or lack consciousness until evidence establishes otherwise? I argue for accepting different assumptions for different purposes, including (1) scientific theory, (2) scientific practice, (3) ethical theory, and (4) ethical practice.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
You can register to attend here: nyu.zoom.us/webinar/regi... Please share!
nyu.zoom.us
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Introducing the Digital Consciousness Model. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The Digital Consciousness Model is an initial attempt at providing a systematic, probabilistic assessment of our evidence for consciousness in AI systems and other biological species. It incorporates ...
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
Please join the NYU Center for Mind, Ethics, and Policy on January 23 at 12pm ET for an event with the Rethink Priorities AI Cognition Initiative! The event will introduce the Digital Consciousness Model—a probabilistic framework for assessing evidence for AI consciousness.
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Insect Welfare Research Society @insectwrs.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
In a new paper, @jeffsebo.bsky.social and Toni Sims argue that insect research needs ethical oversight. Their article covers moral reasoning behind their argument and initial steps forward—including developing policies and methods for assessing welfare risks. Full paper here:
bit.ly
(PDF) Ethical Oversight for Insect ResearchNadzór etyczny nad badaniami nad owadamiЭтический надзор за исследованиями насекомых
PDF | In this article, we present a high-level argument for ethical oversight for insect research. There is a realistic possibility that insects are... | Find, read and cite all the research you need…
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Barbara J. King @bjking.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Thank you @nytimes.com Magazine for including bonobo Kanzi in your remembrance of artists and innovators who died in 2025. I expected Jane Goodall, of course, but delighted to see you embrace a #multispecies memorial. #primates #Kanzi #JaneGoodall #anthropology #death #deathstudies
nytimes.com
The Lives They Lived (Gift Article)
Remembering some of the artists, innovators and thinkers we lost in the past year.
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Jeff Sebo @jeffsebo.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
finally made it into the pages of high times! hightimes.com/culture/peop...
hightimes.com
People Are Getting Their AI High: Paying to ‘Alter’ Chatbot's Consciousness | High Times
A new wave of code-based add-ons users are purchasing to modify their chatbots’ behavior, making them respond as if they were high on drugs.
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