Roboticist Hod Lipson discusses teaching robots to predict human smiles through mirror learning for improved communication. Professor Margaret Handley shares a personal letter connecting her family, a rare mandolin, and her career in public health and homelessness. The episode highlights the challenges of robots learning nonverbal cues, the emotional influences on career choices in science, and the connections between personal experiences, music, and public health.

Guest: Hod Lipson, roboticist and professor at Columbia University. Topics include self-repairing robots, robot ecologies, impact of large language models in education, threats and benefits of advanced technology, and the effectiveness of AI-generated disinformation.

Hod Lipson, professor of Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University, talks about the future of robots with creativity, self-awareness, and intelligence. The podcast explores advancements in AI and robotics, challenges in achieving embodied AI, and the potential of self-aware machines. It also discusses proprioception in robots and the frustrations in battery development. Plus, there's an opportunity to participate in dialogue courses on understanding AI.