Cooperant Learning Podcast | Intersection of Applied Behavior Analysis and AI | Dr. David Cox and Ryan O’Donnell

Intersection of Applied Behavior Analysis and AI | Cooperant Learning Podcast

In this episode of Cooperant Learning, Dr. David Cox and Ryan O’Donnell join us to explore the intersection of applied behavior analysis and artificial intelligence. We dive into real-world case applications, the opportunities and pitfalls of corporate interest in AI solutions, potential risks of sacrificing quality for efficiency, and privacy and HIPAA issues. David and Ryan discuss the mission of their AI and ABA initiative Project Chiron and examine the philosophical and ethical questions that come with integrating AI into behavior science.

🔹 Topics we cover:

Practical case uses of AI in ABA Corporate influence and the push for efficiency

A behavioral account of chatbot "behavior"

Balancing technological innovation with quality of care

Philosophical and ethical considerations in merging AI with behavior science

If you’re interested in where ABA is headed in an AI-driven world, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

David J. Cox, Ph.D., M.S.B., BCBA-D

A full-stack data scientist and behavior analyst with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of behavior science, ethics, and AI. Dr. Cox is a thought leader on ethical AI integration in ABA and the author of the forthcoming commentary Ethical Behavior Analysis in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. He’s published over 70 articles and books on related topics in academic journals and, quite possibly, the only person in the field with expertise in behavior analysis, bioethics, and data science.

Ryan L. O'Donnell, M.S., BCBA

With a background in behavior science and digital storytelling, Ryan stopped short of the Ph.D. track to build a distinctive path through filmmaking, science communication, and CEU production. Known for producing high-quality, film-level CEU content with thought leaders like Patrick C. Friman, Susan G. Friedman, and Kent Johnson, he’s directed and produced over 200 hours of online courses, including the acclaimed documentaries This Way of Thinking, The History of Applied Behavior Analysis: Part 1 and The Morningside Model.

Check out The Behavior Academy and Project Chiron: https://www.thebehavioracademy.com/behavior-analysis-and-artificial-intelligence