Michael Littman

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.

In a captivating conversation, Michael Littman, a computer scientist from Brown University, shares his insights into reinforcement learning and its transformative potential in AI. He delves into the interplay between sci-fi and robotics, touching on humorous robot-human interactions. Michael also discusses the challenges of AI's existential risks, the creative process behind parody songwriting, and the evolution of AI through self-play. His reflections blend technical depth with light-hearted anecdotes, creating a thought-provoking dialogue about the future of technology.

A sampler platter of the best snippets from bonus Q&A sessions with cybersecurity professionals and digital rights advocates. Topics include cyberattacks on hospitals, politics of privacy, hacking contests, AI ethics, Burning Man descriptions, challenges of rain in the desert, proxy hams for online anonymity, and reflections from previous episodes.