The future of emerging technologies
The Future of Everything
The Importance of Curiosity-Driven Research
Russ prompts about research's value; Rice defends federally funded fundamental research and its long-term payoff for innovations like AI.
On our 300th episode, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talks about her return to Stanford after years in government and the impact she sees rapidly advancing technologies having on democracy and public policy. She says the future demands greater collaboration among industry, academia, and government to ensure promising fields like quantum computing and AI are used for the greatest good—in education, medicine, and the sciences. We are in a race that we must win, Rice tells host Russ Altman on this special episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
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Episode Reference Links:
- Stanford Profile: Condoleezza Rice
Connect With Us:
- Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State and a professor of political science and political economy at Stanford University.
(00:04:08) Returning to Stanford
Why Condoleezza returned to academia after serving as Secretary of State.
(00:04:50) Higher Education & Public Trust
Potential factors impacting universities' connection to the broader public.
(00:07:31) Why Research Still Matters
The importance of curiosity-driven, federally funded university research.
(00:09:32) Hoover’s Emerging Tech Initiative
An outline of the Hoover Institution’s Tech Initiative and its policies.
(00:12:11) Uniting Scientists & Policymakers
How engineers and researchers are engaging with policy and ethics.
(00:13:41) The Race For Innovation
Emerging themes and key enablers in the technology innovation race.
(00:19:17) Industry in the Lead
How private companies are now the primary drivers of innovation.
(00:22:02) Global Tech & National Interests
The tension between globalized tech firms and U.S. policy interests
(00:24:35) AI & Education
Using AI as a tool to enhance teaching and critical thinking in students.
(00:28:30) Students Driving Policy
The contribution students are making to Hoover’s tech policy work.
(00:29:23) Future In a Minute
Rapid-fire Q&A: hope, innovation, time, humanity, and alternate careers.
(00:31:09) Conclusion
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
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