Hanselminutes with Scott Hanselman Trusting Agentic AI with Dr. Dawn Song
Dec 18, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Dawn Song, a computer science professor and MacArthur Fellow, dives into the world of agentic AI and its implications for security and privacy. She discusses her transition from physics to security, the impact of prestigious awards on her research freedom, and the mission of the Berkeley Center for Responsible Decentralized Intelligence. Dawn emphasizes the challenges of securing AI agents, the risks of complex systems, and her personal journey building custom agents for increased productivity.
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Switching Fields Sparked A Career
- Dawn Song switched from physics to computer science in grad school and discovered security by following what interested her.
- She chose security for its mix of theory and practice and because the field was small when she started.
Recognition Enables Bold Research Pivots
- The MacArthur Fellowship broadened Dawn Song's research freedom and encouraged risk-taking.
- She used that freedom to pivot toward building intelligent machines and exploring deep learning before it became mainstream.
Mix Research With Real-World Paths
- Use multiple pathways to make research impactful: teaching, startups, and public-facing work can all help transition ideas to the world.
- Combine deep technical work with outward-facing activities to maximize reach and real-world adoption.