Lex Fridman Podcast

#148 – Charles Isbell and Michael Littman: Machine Learning and Education

Dec 26, 2020

Charles Isbell, Dean of the College of Computing at Georgia Tech, and Michael Littman, a computer scientist at Brown University, dive into the intersection of machine learning and education. They discuss the role of AI in sparking student curiosity and the importance of resilience in learning. Their light-hearted banter touches on the contrasting cultures of their universities, and they humorously explore how technology reshapes education post-COVID. Their deep friendship is evident as they reflect on personal growth and mutual influences.

02:03:22

Creator website

Episode guests

Michael Littman

Charles Isbell

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Machine Learning datasets

02:46

The dangers of AI over reliance

01:21

The Benefits of Music Listening

01:42

Which Language is the Most Rewarding?

01:38

Intro

4min

Enhancing Sleep and Learning Through Technology

4min

Bridging Machine Learning and Statistics

13min

Navigating Suffering and Struggle in Education

2min

Navigating University Cultures

6min

Reflections on Early Encounters

4min

Navigating Self-Criticism in Academia

4min

Reflections on Bell Labs and Collaboration

20min

AI, Storytelling, and Virtual Realities

16min

10.

Rethinking Education Post-COVID

23min

11.

The Dynamics of Comedy and Education

24min

12.

The Power of Friendship and Perspective

2min

Charles Isbell is the Dean of the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Michael Littman is a computer scientist at Brown University. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Charles’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/isbellHFh
Charles’s Website: https://www.cc.gatech.edu/~isbell/
Michael’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/mlittmancs
Michael’s Website: https://www.littmania.com/
Michael’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mlittman

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OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:51) – Is machine learning just statistics?
(12:14) – NeurIPS vs ICML
(14:30) – Data is more important than algorithm
(20:14) – The role of hardship in education
(28:57) – How Charles and Michael met
(33:30) – Key to success: never be satisfied
(36:47) – Bell Labs
(48:15) – Teaching machine learning
(58:25) – Westworld and Ex Machina
(1:06:24) – Simulation
(1:13:14) – The college experience in the times of COVID
(1:41:52) – Advice for young people
(1:48:44) – How to learn to program
(2:00:07) – Friendship

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