Riskgaming

Host Samuel Arbesman interviews Amy Kuceyeski, a mathematician and biologist from Cornell University. They discuss her groundbreaking research on the human brain, using AI to understand brain processes, and potential applications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Amy's work explores brain responses to images, compares artificial and biological networks, and delves into the challenges of securing funding for high-risk research projects.

Explore the shift from synthetic to natural products in pharmaceutical development, showcasing how nature's evolution outshines man-made compounds. Discover the influence of artificial intelligence in decoding life for medicinal benefits and the paradox of natural products surpassing synthetics in efficacy. Dive into the use of genomics, metabolomics, and machine learning in uncovering the therapeutic potential of natural products for cancer treatment.

Delve into the recent CrowdStrike/Microsoft outage through the lens of complexity science. Explore the vulnerability of complex systems to targeted attacks. Learn from system failures and navigate technological complexity to prevent future crises.

Curator Kristoffer Tjalve discusses celebrating the 'quiet, odd, and poetic web.' Explore artistic experiments online, intentional navigation, building diverse communities, and the influence of tech on creativity.

Explore Medium's journey towards financial stability and a balanced business model under new leadership. Discover the challenges of transitioning to a subscription-based media model and the shift to the expert economy. Dive into the evolving dynamics of writer-driven platforms and the impact of algorithms on content curation on Medium.

Guest Alice Albrecht, CEO of Recollect, talks about AI, human cognition, and the future of artificial intelligence. Topics include transitions from academia to tech, the importance of human models in problem-solving, the relationship between attention, memory, and goals in AI development, limitations of current AI approaches, language manipulation, and the concept of human-machine partnership.

James Pethokoukis discusses fostering optimism in American politics, dividing views into 'up wing' and 'down wing'. They explore the impact of technology and innovation on societal progress, California's challenges, and the importance of risk-taking. The discussion also touches on the role of inventions, failure in science education, and venture capital's influence on biotechnology advancements.

Philip Ball, a science writer and former editor at Nature, discusses the complexities of life in 'How Life Works'. The podcast explores biology beyond genes, limb development, xenobots, disease, and molecular interactions, challenging deterministic views and redefining medicine and disease.

Exploring tech threats to democracy, from TikTok bans in New Caledonia to subsea cables competition. Discussions on AI impact in Global South, chaos engineering, hybrid warfare, and the future of Disneyland’s Hall of Presidents.

Ben Reinhardt, founder of Speculative Technologies, discusses the need for new research funding, the challenges faced by startups, and his vision for the future. Topics also include Xerox Park's success, feedback loops in innovation, and the importance of diverse funding sources for research progression.